Actionable steps to help an overtired baby:
If your baby is overtired, there are several steps you can take to help them get the sleep they need.

1. First and foremost, establish a consistent sleep routine.
This can help your baby anticipate bedtime, and make it easier for them to settle down.

2. Keep the environment calm and quiet, and avoid overstimulation before bedtime.
You can also try white noise, swaddling, or gentle rocking to soothe your baby.

If your baby is still having trouble falling asleep, consider shortening their awake time between naps, or extending their bedtime to help them catch up on missed sleep.

Your little one might be more fussy than usual, have trouble settling down to sleep, or even become hyperactive or overly energetic.
They may also seem clingy or irritable, and may even wake up more often during the night.

If you notice these symptoms, it's likely that your child is suffering from overtiredness, which means they've been awake for too long and are just too exhausted to settle down.

****It's worth noting that the causes of overtiredness and undertiredness can vary depending on your child's age, habits, and other factors.****
For example, newborns often become overtired simply because they're not yet able to distinguish between daytime and nighttime, and may wake up frequently during the night.
Toddlers and older children, on the other hand, may become overtired if they’ve skipped naps or had a really busy day engaging in lots of physical activity.


Now that we’ve discussed overtired, let's talk about some signs that your child might be undertired, and what you can do about it.
If your child is undertired (not tired enough to sleep) you will know if you notice the following things:

1.Taking too long to fall asleep

You know you have an undertired child when they struggle to fall asleep, and it's taking much longer than usual. If they're not quite ready for bedtime, it could take them 30-60 minutes to finally pass out! That means it's time for an adjustment.

For babies, you might need to tweak their nap schedule. For toddlers, consider a shorter nap, or widening their wake window. And for preschoolers, they may need to drop their nap altogether.

2. Protesting bedtime

Perhaps your child is throwing a tantrum, or just resisting bedtime altogether. This can be a sign that they're not quite tired enough, and they want to stay up and play more.

Take a look at their daytime schedule and see if there are any changes you can make. Are they getting enough outdoor time? Burning enough energy during the day? These are important factors to consider.

3. Your Child Says They aren't Ready For Bed

So, here's the final sign that your little one may be undertired - they're literally telling you they’re not ready for bed.
Seems simple enough, right?

Now, before you take their word for it, you need to tread carefully because there need to be boundaries and expectations in place regarding your child’s sleep time.
Having said that, if your preschooler or toddler is persistently telling you that they're not tired, it's worth stopping and giving some thought to what they're saying.

Take a quick moment to evaluate their day and ask yourself if they're really being put to bed too early.
Who knows, maybe they still need to burn off some energy before it's time to hit the sack!

Actionable steps to help an undertired baby or toddler:
If your baby is undertired, it's important to make sure they are getting enough wake time during the day.
This can help them become more tired at night, and make it easier for them to fall asleep and stay asleep.

Encourage play and interaction during awake time, and avoid letting your baby nap for too long during the day.


Keep the environment bright and stimulating during the day, and gradually dim the lights as bedtime approaches.
You can also try using a soothing bedtime routine, such as storytime or a warm bath, to help your baby relax and get ready for sleep.

As a tired parent, it can be difficult to identify the root cause of your child's sleep problems.
However, by understanding the difference between an overtired and undertired baby, you can take the right steps to help your little one get the sleep they need.

Whether it's shortening awake time, establishing a consistent sleep routine, or using soothing bedtime routines, there are many strategies you can use to improve your baby's sleep.


By making some tweaks to your child's routine, you can improve their sleep habits and help them feel well-rested and energized.
And remember- sleep is just as important for you as it is for your child, so take care of yourself too! With a little patience and persistence, you can help your child become a happy and rested sleeper.
Sweet dreams!