Keep things low key and calm during the day especially if your baby is very fussy.
Help your baby rest when she needs to by paying attention to when she is tired and helping her get to sleep during those periods
Experiment with putting your baby in cool, quiet, dim place for naps to see if that helps them more for sleep
Some babies do better while in the same room with mom with naps. Keep baby close by in bassinet in living area or take baby for morning/afternoon walk in carrier, stroller if sleep proves to be a challenge and see if a change of scenery can help lull them to sleep
Observe what keeps your baby calm and what overstimulates them. Too much noise, or too many visitors or running errands can overload your baby’s system. If you notice your baby is becoming restless or inconsolable in the afternoons, evenings or overnight – take a look at what went on that day.
What Tired Signs Look Like and When and How to Settle My Baby to Sleep
Catching your baby’s tired signs and getting them down before they are overtired will help in a smoother transition to sleep. Below are the cues and behaviors your baby will show you as they are getting tired.
“I’m getting sleepy” and “Drowsy” cues:
- Decreased Activity
- Slower Motions
- Less Vocal
- Sucking becomes weak or slow
- Quieter
- Calmer
- Disinterested in Surroundings
- Eyes less Focused
- Drooping Eyelids
- Yawning
- Irregular Breathing
*Crying can be a sign that your baby has become overtired
Drowsiness serves as transition both in and out of sleep. Your baby will have a delayed response when in this state. If left alone – they may go to sleep or gradually awaken. This is a key time to start to soothe or put down to sleep. If it has been awhile since they have been up, then this would be a good time to put them down to sleep.
Tip: Most babies between 8-12 weeks will be drowsy and ready for sleep within 60-90 minutes of waking.
Settling them when they are drowsy and before they are too tired will help you ease your baby into a more restful period of sleep. Try not to wait until your baby is overtired which will make it more difficult for them to fall asleep and harder for you to settle them down.
Keeping a predictable routine may help to keep your baby calmer allowing them to rest more easily so try to watch their behavior & cues and keep them from overwhelming situations that may overstimulate them.
If they have been asleep and exhibit these “drowsy” cues, you can give them a few minutes to see if they transition back to sleep before picking them up.