In utero, everything was quiet, fluid, gentle. Your baby glided through a watery world of muted sounds and faint colors. By contrast, life outside the womb can be pretty jarring with its bright lights and loud noises.
When you're socializing with your baby, be sensitive to any signs that he or she has had enough interaction: Too much stimulation can overload a baby's neural circuits, leaving him or her crying or unsettled. It's essentially your baby's way of saying, "I've had all I can take right now."
Here are some signs that your baby needs a break:
• Closing eyes
• Turning away
• Tensing up, arching his or her back
• Avoiding your gaze
• Irritability