Signs Of Tiredness In Baby
Your baby will be ready for sleep once you have fed them, changed their nappy, and had some quiet playtime – total time awake, 1½ hours. Play, in the first few weeks, will be a bath or a cuddle and a quiet chat ¬– about 15 minutes. By 8 weeks, playtime may have stretched to 30 minutes, including some tummy time on the floor, sitting in a baby rocker chair, and ‘chatting’ together while you have a snack or a drink, or reading them a story.
Watch for the early tired signs that indicate your baby has had enough stimulation and is ready for sleep. They may turn away from you or start to whimper. Learn to recognise your baby’s signs. If you don’t notice these, or misinterpret the signs, and instead try to cheer them up with more play, then they will become overtired and more difficult to settle. If you find you’re constantly trying to settle a distressed baby, then you may be missing the early tired signs. Try starting the settling routine earlier.
Possible tired signs:
- Turns away from you (disengages).
- Yawns.
- Frowns or pulls a distressed face.
- Starts to whimper or whinge.
- Becomes tense and agitated.
- Clenches fists.
- Kicks and thrashes arms and legs.
- Rubs their eyes (when older).
