Most people don’t realize that newborns can become overtired and overstimulated. Something as simple as constant touch and giving eye contact can be exhausting for a tiny baby. How can you prevent an overstimulated baby? Listen to your baby. Pay attention to how long your baby has been awake and watch for sleep cues.
Wake Windows
Its always best to follow your baby’s cues. However, these wake windows will give you a good idea of how long baby will typically be awake for and are good indicators that baby will likely be ready for a nap soon.
0-6 weeks: 30-60 minutes
6-12 weeks: 60-90 minutes
3-4 months: 80-120 minutes
5-6 months: 2-3 hours
Sleepy cues
Why are following sleep cues so important? This is your baby’s way of communicating with you and letting you know what they need.
Early sleep cues: Looking away, breaking eye contact, red eyebrows, staring into space
Late sleep cues: Yawns, rubbing eyes, fussing
Overtired: Rigid/tense body, clenched fist, hysterical
Let your baby rest
You might think it sounds like a good idea to cut baby’s naps short or keep baby up for long periods of time in hopes that it will tire baby out and they will sleep longer/better. In reality, this is just going to make baby overtired, fussy and harder to put to sleep.
Help your baby get the most of out their sleep. A baby’s sleep cycle is 30-45 minutes and when they wake up from this cat nap, they may still be tired. Encourage longer stretches of sleep by helping baby connect their sleep cycles. Gently rub baby’s or try rocking baby back to sleep.
What can you do if baby is particularly fussy and hard to soothe?
- Try to use the five S’s soothing technique: Swaddle, Side lying hold, Shush, Sway/swing & Suck
- It may even be helpful to swaddle baby, turn on a sound machine and lay them in their crib, too much touch may be overwhelming
- Use a sound machine and swaddle
- In the evenings and during overnight feeds try to keep the lights low and avoid screen time
If sleep is a constant struggle for your baby follow @angieanzalone_sleep for the best sleep tips or check out her individualized sleep plans here!