Is your baby tired or over-tired. Learn the crucial distinction between the two...

A tired baby will demonstrate many giveaway signs, like yawning

Tired or Overtired – The Crucial Distinction!

Understanding the difference between tiredness and overtiredness in babies is vital for their health and well-being. Responding to your baby's tired cues promptly and preventing them from becoming overtired can lead to better sleep quality, improved mood, and overall developmental benefits.

If you happen to miss the optimal sleep window when your baby is tired, you’re then into over-tired territory and that is not a good place to be.

When your little one gets over-tired, their cortisol levels (the stress/awake hormone) are high and it takes a LONG time to bring them back to a normal level. When an over-tired baby falls asleep, that sleep is likely to be disturbed and they are likely to waken more quickly. Their mood when they waken is likely to be poor as they have not had a restorative sleep.

Check out our list to learn the crucial distinction between TIRED and OVERTIRED and bear these in mind when planning naps and bedtime.

TIRED CUES – (Now is a good time to plan a nap or bedtime)

· Yawning

· Eye rubbing

· Fussiness

· Clinginess

· Becoming quieter

· Calming down

· Squirming or back arching

· Frequent blinking

· Sucking fingers or thumbs

· Becoming Clumsy

· Refusing food

· Yawning

OVERTIRED CUES

· Difficulty calming down with usual methods

· Excessive crying or upset

· Fussiness / irritability

· Excessive clinginess

· Refusal to sleep despite being tired

· Vigorous rubbing of eyes, ears or face

· Arching back

· May appear hyperactive or more physically stimulated

If you recognise some of the overtired cues and would like to learn more about the best way to support your baby into a restorative sleep from this stage, tune in to next week’s blog.

Email admin@tendertots.co.uk for any sleep advice or book a consultation via our consultations page.