How to Recognize Alert States of a Newborn

Infant behavior has been classified into six states of consciousness by Professor Heinz Prechtl of the Netherlands and Dr. Peter Wolff of Boston. These states are active alert, active sleep, crying, drowsiness, quiet alert and quiet sleep. Recognizing the expected responses of an infant in each of these alert states will allow you to care for them more effectively. Here's how to recognize each alert state in an infant.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Identify the active alert state by frequent movement and small sounds. The baby looks about and shows interest in objects but not faces. This state appears before the baby is hungry or fussy.
2. Look for closed eyes that occasionally move under the lids to recognize the active sleep state. The eyes may flutter open briefly and there may other body movements. The sleep is restless and the baby's breathing is not regular.
3. Use the crying state as a late cue to change, comfort or feed your baby. The infant's face may be contorted and red with the arms and legs moving vigorously. Crying will usually stop within a minute and a half of being picked up.
4. Recognize drowsiness by the dull, glazed appearance of the eyes. They usually do not focus and may roll upward before closing.
5. Watch for wide open eyes that are bright and shiny in quiet alert state. There are little to no body movements and the baby's energy is directed into seeing and hearing.
6. Expect the baby's face to be relaxed in quiet sleep state with eyelids that are closed and still. Body movements are rare and breathing is regular.