Nothing is more common yet equally heart-breaking and frustrating as an overtired baby. Every parent will experience it; however, there are some children who sleep much worse than others and with whom parents will experience the frustrations more frequently. Over time, this lack of sleep can become a real problem.
It is important to remember that this is a very common problem and every parent will experience an overtried baby at some point, so it does not mean you are a bad parent. However, it is also important to take it seriously and help your child to develop good sleep rhythms.
Sleep is essential for all of us but especially for growing and developing babies. It is during sleep that babies process the many impressions acquired during the day.
We have listed some good advice on how to deal with an overtired baby so read on for more information about what you can do to help your baby fall asleep.
What are the common causes of fatigue?
The longer we are awake, the greater our need for sleep. This is due to a chemical barometer called adenosine, which constantly records how much time has passed since you last slept.
When we are unable to sleep, it creates a chemical pressure and our body’s physiological processes, which occur during sleep, are prevented from starting. The signs that often appear in infants when they are overtired include the following:
- Crying
- Restless
- Redness around the eyes
- Can’t or won’t lie down alone
- Avoiding eye contact
- Hiding
Rely on routines
Keep an eye on your child’s “sleep opening” to avoid your child having difficulty sleeping and becoming overtired. This happens when the child is tired and not yet overtired, and make a note of when this occurred. Capturing the right moment can be a challenge, as either the baby is not yet tired enough and will not calm down, or they become too overtired and are unable to calm down.
Be aware that babies are often controlled by hunger and don’t have a fixed sleeping rhythm during the first several months. This will change as they grow older.
If your child has difficulty sleeping, it is often due to overtiredness. If you notice your baby is having difficulty sleeping and easily gets overtired, there are various things you can consider doing. Many factors can influence this lack of sleep, so first, you should get to know your baby's overall well-being. Observe what factors influence their sleep and also what disturbs it. When you know these factors, it becomes easier to overcome them.
Avoid too many impressions
Babies can easily be overloaded with impressions from seeing being around too many people. When we let people visit our new-borns and pass them from arm to arm, it can often be overstimulating for the baby.
Babies need calm and peace in the first few weeks. Therefore, consider spending more time at home in the earlier months - there will be lots of time to go out and see other people later on!
Bedtime routine for your baby
It is also important to create a consistent routine with the same rituals, such as a story, song or giving them a teddy bear, taking place before bedtime. Try to get your baby to sleep at the same time in the evening, as this helps to provide a sense of security and predictability.
Placing the bed in a quiet and dark room means there is less stimulation around your child. This will help to calm and settle them down, but you can also use white noise, soothing music or swaddling the baby as part of your bedtime routine.
