Which caregiver statement best reflects recognizing newborn overstimulation?

• A. I should hold Jesse firmly against my body with his elbows and knees bent.
• B. Jesse will probably be fussy and stiff for several months after discharge.
• C. If I notice that Jesse is avoiding eye contact, arching his back, or yawning, it means that he is feeling overwhelmed.
• D. If I observe him calmly sleeping, I can skip a feeding.

Answer: (C)

Recognizing overstimulation means noticing when a newborn’s nervous system is overwhelmed by too much sensory input, signaling that it’s time to slow down and soothe. Watch for cues like avoiding eye contact, arching the back, or yawning—these are physical signs that the baby is overwhelmed and needs a calmer environment. When you see those signs, respond by reducing stimulation: hold him in a gentle, secure position, dim the lights, quiet the room, speak softly, and offer soothing—perhaps skin-to-skin contact or slow rocking—to help him settle. This statement is best because it ties specific, observable behaviors to the feeling of being overwhelmed, guiding you to ease stimulation rather than continue or ignore the cues. The other options don’t reflect recognizing overstimulation: a firm hold isn’t about interpreting cues of overwhelm; expecting fussiness for months isn’t accurate for immediate infant behavior; skipping a feeding while the baby is sleeping ignores the newborn’s ongoing feeding needs.