Babies need sensory nourishment

This page is part of a collection of short articles called Brief & simple, which together make up a quick summary of The Possums Sleep Program in plain language. For comprehensive information and support, please go to The essentials section of The Possums Sleep Program, and begin to work your way through the program's online text and videos.

Babies have a powerful need for lots of experience that they can see, smell, taste and feel in their bodies. We call this 'sensory experience' or 'sensory motor nourishment'.

Babies will cry and fuss or dial up in low sensory environments because their sensory needs aren't being met.

The inside of your home is low in sensory adventure compared to the outside world. Unfortunately, a play gym or new toy only entertains babies for very short periods of time, if at all!

Babies like to be in a carer's arms, a carrier or somehow close to a loving adult or older sibling's body a lot of the time, for comfort and also because being close to a loving adult is a much richer sensory experience than lying down on their own.

Acknowledgements

I'm grateful to Professor Sophie Havighurst, Ros June, and Caroline Ma at Mindful, The University of Melbourne, for their feedback on the articles in the Brief & simple section of The Possums Sleep Program. They helped to keep the language plain and the concepts as accessible as possible. For comprehensive information and support, please go to The essentials section of The Possums Sleep Program, and begin to work your way through the program's online text and videos.

Recommended resources

What is sensory motor nourishment and why does it help with baby sleep?

Filling your baby's sensory tank

Why sensory motor nourishment by babywearing makes life easier (not harder)