“Get sleep while you can!” A phrase every new parent can relate to hearing. Eventually, I remember thinking that I couldn’t get any more sleep if I tried! Pregnancy is not for the weak, and near the end, I was lucky to get 2-3 hours of sleep straight. Truly, I felt prepared for minimal sleep when the time came. What I didn’t expect was the anxiety that bedtime brought when I couldn’t calm my baby down. It felt like nothing I did worked: feeding, rocking, cuddling. I tried it all, and all I had left was a feeling of helplessness.
How To Calm Overtired Newborn
If you have felt alone and helpless in the wee hours of the night or morning with your newborn, please know that you are not alone. It’s common for babies to cry and struggle to fall asleep due to a variety of reasons, one of the most frequent being overtiredness. An overtired newborn can be challenging to soothe, often resulting in short naps, frequent wake-ups, and a baby who fights sleep. The phrase “sleep begets sleep” is commonly used and can honestly be a cause of stress for parents who know and understand it’s meaning: getting enough quality sleep during the day makes it easier for newborns to fall asleep and stay asleep at night. But what if no matter what you do, your newborn won’t sleep? Today, we’re sharing a comprehensive guide on how to calm an overtired newborn effectively, including identifying signs, causes, and actionable tips to help your baby sleep better.
Signs Of Overtired Newborn
Newborn sleep is incredibly important for growth, development, and overall well-being. However, recognizing the signs of an overtired baby can be difficult but also crucial in finding the right solution. Before diving into tips on how to calm an overtired newborn, let’s first look at the common signs of overtiredness:
- Excessive fussiness and crying
- Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
- Baby waking frequently during naps or nighttime sleep (false starts)
- Stiff or rigid body movements
- Rubbing eyes or pulling ears
- Yawning frequently
- Clenching fists or jerky movements
- Seeming alert or energetic before naptime or bedtime
These signs indicate that your baby is overtired and struggling to relax enough to fall asleep. By spotting these early, you can take steps to soothe your little one and avoid prolonged periods of distress.
What Causes A Baby To Be Overtired
Understanding the causes can help you prevent overtiredness of your newborn in the first place. Below, we’ll explore common reasons why a baby may become overtired and what you can do to address each one.
1. Missed Sleep Windows
Babies have specific wake windows—periods of time they can stay awake comfortably without becoming overtired. Missing these windows often results in an overtired baby who struggles to fall asleep. While we do know that newborns have an age-appropriate wake-window, it is truly customized and specific to each and every child.
How to Avoid: Keep an eye on your baby’s wake window and put them down for naps or bedtime before they become overstimulated. Establishing a consistent newborn sleep schedule can help manage wake windows effectively.
2. Overstimulation Before Sleep
Excessive noise, bright lights, or too much activity can make it difficult for your baby to wind down, leading to overtiredness.
How to Avoid: Create a calm environment before naps and bedtime. Dim the lights, lower noise levels, and engage in soothing activities like rocking or gentle music to help your baby relax. Incorporate white noise, blackout shades, and an appropriate room temperature to ensure that you are setting your newborn up for success at both naps during the day and night.
3. Irregular Sleep Patterns
Irregular sleep patterns and short naps can disrupt your baby’s overall rest, making them overtired. Connecting sleep cycles is a struggle for newborns and young infants.
How to Avoid: Aim for a regular sleep routine and consistent nap times. Implementing safe sleep practices for newborns can promote longer, more restful sleep.
4. Overfeeding or Hunger
Sometimes, overfeeding can cause discomfort, while hunger can keep your baby awake, both contributing to overtiredness.
How to Avoid: Feed your baby on a regular schedule and watch for hunger cues. Ensure feedings are calm and quiet, especially during the night, to help them stay relaxed.
How To Get An Overtired Newborn To Sleep
Once you’ve identified the signs and causes of overtiredness, it’s time to focus on how to calm an overtired newborn and help them fall asleep. Here are some effective tips:
Tip #1:
Create a Calm Sleep Environment: A quiet, dark, and cool room can help soothe an overtired baby to sleep. White noise machines or soft lullabies can also create a sleep-conducive environment. We highly recommend the Hatch and the YogaSleep Dohm.
Tip #2:
Swaddle or Use a Sleep Sack: Swaddling can help mimic the snug feeling of the womb, which can be comforting for newborns and aid in falling and staying asleep. There are a lot of benefits to swaddling. If you want to learn more, check out our blog: 10 Benefits of Swaddling Your Baby.
Tip #3:
Use Gentle Motion: Rocking, swaying, or using a baby swing can help calm your baby. The rhythmic motion can relax an overtired newborn and encourage sleep. In moderation, using these techniques can be helpful to calm a newborn. You want to make sure you follow standard safety precautions and procedures while using a baby swing, and don’t become too heavily reliant on swings for naps.
Tip #4:
Offer a Pacifier: Sucking can be soothing for many babies and can help your baby transition from being awake to asleep, especially if they are feeling overtired. Fussy babies tend to enjoy the use of a pacifier as it can bring them comfort!
Tip #5:
Follow a Consistent Bedtime Routine: A consistent bedtime routine signals to your baby that it’s time to sleep. This could include a warm bath, a gentle massage, reading a short story, or singing a lullaby.
Tip #6:
Avoid Overstimulation Close to Bedtime: Keep activities low-key an hour before sleep. Avoid loud toys, bright screens, or other stimuli that can make it harder for your baby to wind down.
Calming an overtired newborn can be challenging, but with the right approach, you can help your baby relax and fall asleep more easily. By understanding the signs and causes of overtiredness, you can take proactive steps to ensure your baby gets the rest they need. Remember, consistency is key, and with time, your baby’s sleep patterns will improve, helping them to fall and stay asleep more easily.
Sleep Shore Sleep Consulting
Ready to work with an expert to get your baby on a solid schedule? Want to get your newborn, infant, toddler or school-age child sleeping an extra hour? Perhaps the goal is your child sleeping the entire night?
Check out my newborn course that will give you the confidence and tools to handle newborn sleep. It includes a video course that can be accessed anytime and two live troubleshooting phone calls to help support you in your newborn sleep journey. Don’t need the course just yet? Check out my other newborn, infant, or toddler sleep resources!
See what this mama had to say about our sleep services:
“Molly has been not only an incredibly influential part of our baby’s sleep journey, but somebody who has helped guide me through motherhood. She has been here since the very beginning of my child’s life. She has shared so much wisdom, guidance, and knowledge in a way that has never felt judgmental or pushy.All of her recommendations have gotten our child in a healthy sleep routine since the very start. Molly helped establish this routine early on, and build on it allowing him to peacefully sleep though the night, take naps, and be flexible when life gets a little out of whack. She offers product recommendations, quick response times, and tips and tricks that are priceless. Our family is beyond lucky to have her!”
– Newborn mama