Ever since we welcomed our little bundle of joy, Daisy, into our home just two months ago, I’ve been curious about how other parents manage to put a baby to sleep when there’s a rambunctious toddler around. I’ve sought advice from every mom with multiple kids I’ve encountered, asking the same question: how do you get your baby to nap amidst all that chaos? Responses ranged from turning on the TV for a few minutes to letting your baby adapt to the noise. However, I started realizing that these tips simply won’t work for us. Somehow, I ended up with two children who seem to have inherited an intense case of FOMO—”fear of missing out.”
So what exactly is FOMO? According to Urban Dictionary, it’s that overwhelming anxiety of missing out on something fun or exciting. My eldest, Jake, had it pretty bad (we’re managing it better now), and it looks like our sweet little Daisy might be following in his footsteps.
The first step in dealing with FOMO is recognizing it. Once you understand your baby has this tendency, you can prepare for their behavior and take steps to mitigate the effects. Luckily, we identified this early with Daisy, so there’s hope for improvement.
1. Forget the Drowsy but Awake Advice
Those books that suggest putting your baby down “drowsy but awake”? FOMO babies skip that stage entirely. They go from cheerful to furious in no time, and the transition is anything but smooth.
2. Missed Tired Signs
FOMO babies can appear wide awake all day until they’re overtired. The moment you notice a yawn, it’s game over. Good luck trying to get them to sleep for an extra hour and a half!
3. Hours to Sleep
You might find yourself rocking, bouncing, and singing until your arms feel like jelly and your voice is hoarse, yet your baby stares back at you with bright, wide eyes.
4. No Sleeping on the Go
Do not be tempted to buy one of those car mirrors; you’ll be blissfully unaware of your baby’s refusal to nap during the hour-long trip to Grandma’s. Just wait for the toddler to announce the obvious: “Baby Daisy is not asleep!”
5. Unfamiliar Places = No Naps
Visiting Grandma? Planning a vacation? Brace yourself for zero naptime. Why would your little one, who just arrived in the world, want to sleep when there’s so much to see?
6. Breastfeeding Doesn’t Help
Even if you haven’t touched caffeine since before pregnancy, your FOMO baby will pop off the breast like a shot of espresso, determined to stay in the action. You might even end up with a face full of milk when they unlatch abruptly—“See what happens when you’re not paying attention!”
7. Resistance to Sleep Routines
Your FOMO baby will quickly learn your sleep routine and protest it vocally. Expect this defiance to extend into their toddler years; they might just sleep through the day when they hit their teenage years.
8. Long Routines Energize Them
Baths and baby massages only seem to invigorate FOMO babies; they mistake soothing activities for tickle fights. Keep your bedtime routine short and sweet!
9. Light Sleepers
Blackout curtains and sound machines will become your best friends. Despite your efforts, they will not sleep through noise. My son, Jake, lived in a city and never learned to sleep with the hustle and bustle; he simply didn’t sleep!
10. Fighting Sleep
You may think your baby is finally dozing off, only for them to suddenly perk up with renewed energy. Avoid eye contact during these moments; one glance from you can power them up for another three hours of wakefulness.
11. Smart Little Ones?
While I can’t confirm this scientifically, you might start to convince yourself that your FOMO baby is simply more intelligent—anything to keep from pulling out your hair trying to get them to sleep.
If you’ve nodded along to these signs, it’s likely your baby has a serious case of FOMO. But fear not! Find the darkest room in your home, crank up the white noise, and prepare for this phase to last a year or two. For more insights on parenting and home insemination, check out our article on further reading. And if you’re looking to enhance your fertility journey, visit Make a Mom’s fertility supplements. For additional information on the science behind IVF, Genetics and IVF Institute is an excellent resource.
In summary, dealing with a FOMO baby can be a challenge, but with awareness and the right strategies, you can navigate this exciting yet exhausting phase of parenthood.