Understanding a baby’s needs can be challenging, especially when they’re too young to communicate directly. This is particularly true when it comes to recognising overtiredness. Many of my clients have shared that overtiredness is a topic that is not discussed enough, and lack of awareness has lead them to overlook or misinterpret the signs. Without guidance, it’s easy to miss these subtle cues. That’s why, in this guide, we will walk you through the signs of overtiredness.
Overtired New-born’s
When it comes to newborns, much of the uncertainty tends to revolve around whether your baby is hungry or tired. It can be difficult to distinguish between the two, but there’s a general rule of thumb I like to follow: If your baby has been awake for more than an hour, the first assumption should be that they’re tired rather than hungry. This is because during the newborn phase, babies typically need to sleep every 45 minutes to an hour. Babies can show subtle signs of tiredness which we call ‘sleep cues’ before they become fussy or cranky. Sleep cues include staring blankly at nothing in particular, back arching, or twisting. If it’s been forty minutes to an hour since your baby was fed and they’re showing sleep cues, then I want you to try for a nap first.
Overtiredness typically begins to set in around the one-hour mark for a newborn. If your baby starts to get fussy, cry, or become cranky, it’s a sign that they’re already overtired. Many parents wait until their baby reaches this stage before attempting to settle them in their cot. At this point it is too late and you will notice that it is harder for them to fall asleep. When fighting sleep your baby releases hormones as part of the natural “fight or flight” response that increases alertness, making them appear wired, restless and harder to soothe.
The key is to catch your baby before they reach this overtired state. For example, when showing the sleepy cues, before fussing or crying. This might feel counterintuitive, especially when your baby seems calm, but timing is crucial. Rather than waiting for obvious signs of overtiredness, pay attention to how long your baby has been awake. By doing this, you’re giving your baby the best chance to rest without the challenges that overtiredness can bring.
Wake Windows
A wake window refers to the period of time that your baby can stay awake between naps or sleep sessions without becoming overtired. At three-months-old your little one has a wake window of about ninety minutes. As your baby grows, their wake windows gradually increase. Once they reach the eight to nine-month-old age, they’ve got about three hours of stamina before they’re going to need a nap. Click here for our Infant Sleep Guide which contains a chart of wake windows for different age groups. Consistently adhering to appropriate wake windows will help to regulate your baby’s sleep rhythm. Always keep in mind that you don’t want to let your baby get cranky as that’s going to indicate you’ve waited too long.
Toddlers
To most peoples surprise, when toddlers become overly tired, they typically ramp up their energy levels rather than wind down. This can make it hard to identify the point of fatigue in toddlers. You may notice them laughing and running around hyperactively one moment, only to be in tears the next. This rapid emotional shift is a sign of their struggle to maintain control, a common response to overtiredness. Additionally, children who are overtired tend to have frequent night waking’s, early wakeups and broken naps. If your little one is reaching the hyperactive stage, it typically means the window to prevent overtiredness has already passed. Again, the best solution is to get them into bed before they become overtired.
If your toddler resists bedtime, I recommend establishing a consistent bedtime routine. This helps them wind down and process that it’s time to get ready for sleep. A great way to encourage cooperation is by introducing a reward system. Small incentives, like stickers or a little toy, can motivate them to follow the bedtime routine. Rewarding their efforts for completing tasks, such as getting ready for bed or brushing their teeth, helps create a positive association with bedtime and reinforces good behaviour.
See Previous Blog: The Impact of Cortisol on your Baby’s Sleep