Why overtiredness is one of the primary culprits of poor night time sleep

Check out our list of tell-tale signs that your baby is ready for a sleep

The link between overtiredness and poor overnight sleep in babies is a cycle that can be challenging to break. Reasons can include:

Sleep Window Mismatch: Babies, especially newborns and infants, have limited awake periods before they become tired. Missing these "sleep windows" by keeping them awake for too long can lead to overtiredness.

Delayed Sleep Onset: Overtired babies often struggle to fall asleep. They become overstimulated and their bodies release stress hormones, making it difficult for them to calm down and settle into sleep.

Frequent Awakenings: Overtiredness contributes to fragmented sleep, causing babies to wake up more frequently during the night. They might need assistance to fall back asleep, leading to disrupted sleep for both the baby and the parents.

Shallow Sleep: Overtired babies are more likely to experience lighter, shallower sleep instead of the deeper, more restorative sleep that promotes healthy development.

Spotting your little one’s tired cues is a helpful way to know when naps need to be scheduled into your day and are an indicator of the likely onset of the dreaded overtiredness.

Getting your little one down for a nap at the right time for them is important. Too soon and they won’t be sleepy, too late and you’ll be dealing with an over-tired baby.

Look out for some of the things below as a good indication that they’re almost ready for a nap.

1. Eye rubbing

2. Yawning

3. Fussiness

4. Clinginess

5. Difficulty focussing

6. Glazed or glassy eyes

7. Change in facial expression

8. Slower movements

9. Clumsy

The effects of overtiredness on a baby's well-being are significant:

Irritability and Fussiness - Overtired babies tend to be fussier, crying more often and being harder to soothe.

Developmental Delays - Consistent lack of quality sleep due to overtiredness can impact a baby's cognitive and physical development.

Regulation Challenges - Overtiredness affects a baby's ability to self-regulate emotions and moods, leading to a cycle of restlessness and irritability.

Feeding Difficulties - Overtired babies might struggle with feeding, as their sleep-deprived state interferes with their appetite and energy levels.

For assistance or support with any aspect of your little one's sleep routine subscribe for a discount code and book in for a consultation.