"The Secret is Surrender..."
Accepting that your baby will interrupt your sleep is key. The sooner you come to peace with this reality, the less you'll find yourself battling bedtime. Early morning wake-ups will feel less frustrating—and may even become quiet, cherished moments.
~ Natalie Guscott
Understanding Baby Sleep Cues
Babies give off clear signs when they're ready to sleep. Learning to notice and respond to these early signals can make bedtime easier and prevent your baby from becoming overtired. It may take some time to recognize these signs, but your attentiveness will pay off.
Here are common sleep cues to look out for:
- Yawning – One of the most obvious and early signs of tiredness.
- Staring blankly – Baby gazes ahead, eyes wide but unfocused, as if they're not really seeing anything.
- Nodding off – In an upright position, your baby may doze off briefly, then suddenly jerk awake as their head falls forward or to the side.
- Restless movement – Uncoordinated flailing of arms and legs, head turning from side to side.
- A cough-like cry – A subtle but distinct cry that can signal sleepiness.
For Older Babies:
- Turning away – They may turn their head from people or bury their face into your chest.
- Resistance when held – They might arch their back or lean away from you.
- Self-soothing gestures – Rubbing their eyes, pulling their ears, or scratching at their face or your chest.
- Clumsiness – Movements become less steady, and they may trip or bump into things more often.
Tips to Promote Healthy Sleep Habits
- Keep evenings quiet and calm – Avoid overstimulating activities. If your baby finds baths relaxing, bathe them before bed. If not, choose a different time of day.
- Swaddling – Wrapping your baby in a soft cotton blanket can help them feel secure and settle more easily.
- Establish a sleep routine – Babies learn to associate certain actions with sleep. Try putting your baby to bed when drowsy but still awake to encourage self-settling.
- Comfort aids – A pacifier can provide soothing relief and help your baby drift off more easily.
- Nighttime nappy changes – You don’t need to change a wet nappy overnight unless it’s soiled, leaking, or causing discomfort (e.g., due to a rash).
- Don’t respond too quickly – At the first sound, try gentle soothing—like rhythmic patting or a calming "shhh" sound—before picking your baby up.
What “Sleeping Through” Really Means (Hint: It’s 6 Hours!)
- Encourage feeding every 3 hours during the day, especially after midday.
- A 3-hour feeding schedule is counted from the start of one feed to the start of the next.
- If your baby goes too long between feeds in the late afternoon, they’re more likely to wake frequently in the early hours.
- Focus on cluster feeding in the evening to help stretch nighttime sleep.
Evening Routine Idea:
- Feed at 17:00
- Bath at 18:00
- Final feed at 19:00
- Then, off to sleep
Optional Dream Feed:
Give your baby a feed around 21:00 or 22:00. This may help them sleep until 04:00 or 05:00—which counts as “sleeping through the night” in baby terms!
Dealing with an Overtired Baby
An overtired baby often has a hard time calming down. Their crying can become intense, rising to a high-pitched scream, followed by brief pauses, then repeated outbursts. This can happen several times before they finally settle—and it can be overwhelming for parents.
The best way to avoid this situation? Act early. Responding promptly to sleep cues prevents overtiredness and makes the journey into sleep much smoother and more peaceful.