Too Tired or Not Tired Enough? Here's How to Tell and Fix It
- info4154956
- Jun 13
- 5 min read
By: Sarah Bossio, Certified Pediatric Sleep Expert
Hello, parents! If you're here reading this, you're probably feeling overwhelmed by the whole baby sleep thing. You've tried everything—rocking, feeding, cuddling—and yet, your little one is still fussing. But here's the million-dollar question: Is your baby overtired or undertired? And how on earth do you tell the difference?
As the owner and certified pediatric sleep expert at Your Zen Baby Sleep I get it. Figuring out your baby's sleep needs isn't always straightforward, especially when you're stuck in a cycle of sleep difficulties, and your baby can't tell you exactly what they need. But don't worry—I've got your back! Let's break it down together so you can figure out what's going on and get your baby back to peaceful sleep.hrow off your baby’s sleep schedule, but that doesn’t mean everything has to fall apart.
What is Overtiredness in Babies?
First, let's talk about overtiredness. It is one of the most common culprits when it comes to sleep struggles. When your baby is overtired, they've missed their ideal window for sleep, and their body is starting to fight it. You might notice that they're getting extra fussy, becoming irritable, and maybe even arching their back in frustration.
Why does this happen? When babies miss that perfect sleep window, their body stops producing melatonin, the sleepy hormone, and instead starts pumping cortisol and adrenaline into their system—hello, increased fussiness! Think of it like a light switch: once they hit that overtired point, their sleep system goes haywire, making it much harder for them to settle down.
Signs of Overtiredness in Babies:
Fighting sleep (like squirming or crying when you try to put them down)
Excess fussiness
Back arching or becoming stiff
Difficulty falling asleep, even though they're clearly tired
Short naps and broken nighttime sleep
Overtiredness is sneaky! It's easy to mistake it for hunger or gas, but it often comes down to your baby just needing to sleep. We've all been there, and the good news is that once you nail the timing, those sleepless nights will be a thing of the past.
Why Overtiredness Leads to Poor Sleep Quality
When babies are overtired, it's more than just a battle to fall asleep. The quality of their sleep is also compromised. This means irregular sleep schedules, shorter naps, and those dreaded early morning wake-ups.
Why does this happen? When your baby is asleep with a high level of cortisol in their system, it disrupts their deep, restorative sleep stages. Instead of drifting into a peaceful slumber, they stay in a lighter sleep cycle, which makes them wake up more frequently and feel less rested.
If you're seeing your baby wake up cranky, or after a short nap, it's likely because they've fallen asleep while overtired. We all know how that feels, right? It's like trying to sleep when your mind's racing with a million thoughts. Not easy!
What About an Undertired Baby?
On the other side of the sleep spectrum is an undertired baby. It sounds counterintuitive, but it's true—sometimes babies don't sleep well because they haven't been awake long enough. So, they just don't have enough sleep pressure to fall asleep easily.
Signs of an Undertired Baby:
Fussing or playing after being put down to sleep
Taking a long time to fall asleep (more than 15 minutes of rolling, kicking, and babbling)
Short naps or even refusing to sleep
Waking up happy and content, like they could've stayed awake longer
Sounds crazy, right? But a baby can be too rested! When babies are undertired, they have too much energy to settle down, and that's when you'll see the playfulness or the extended time it takes them to fall asleep. It's like when you're not tired enough to sleep, but you're still trying.
How to Fix Overtiredness and Under Tiredness
So now that you know what signs to look for, let us talk about how to fix these issues and get your baby sleeping better.
Fixing Overtiredness:
Stick to a consistent sleep schedule: Babies thrive on routine, so make sure they have predictable wake and sleep times.
Watch the timing: Make sure you are catching that perfect sleep window. Every baby has an ideal time to go down for a nap or bedtime, and missing it can lead to overtiredness.
Create a calming bedtime routine: Use the same soothing activities every night—bath, storytime, cuddles—to signal that it's time to wind down.
Adjust wake windows: If your baby's getting overtired frequently, you may need to shorten their wake window and get them down for a nap earlier.
Fixing Under Tiredness:
Increase wake times: If your baby is waking up too happy and well-rested, you may need to extend their wake time a bit before putting them down for a nap.
Create a consistent routine: Babies do well with predictability. Create a routine that gives them enough time to build up sleep pressure before naps or bedtime.
Observe and adjust: It's all about finding the right balance. If your baby is taking too long to fall asleep, they may need a slightly longer wake time.
The key here is paying attention to your baby's cues. It's not just about when they go down—it's about how they're behaving when they wake up and how they're settling down at night.
Using Data to Understand Your Baby's Sleep Needs
Want to make this whole process easier? Start tracking your baby's sleep patterns with a simple sleep log or app. Whether it's the Rest It app, Huckleberry, or just a basic spreadsheet, tracking the timing of naps, sleep onset, and wake time can help you pinpoint if your baby is overtired or undertired.
Tracking sleep data doesn't have to be complicated, but it will give you a clearer picture of what is working (and what is not). You will start to notice patterns, and once you do, you will be able to tweak nap times and bedtime to help your baby get the best sleep possible.
Trust me, taking a few minutes each day to track your baby's sleep will save you a ton of stress in the long run. Plus, it's a great way to get some insight into their individual needs!
The Bottom Line: No More Guessing
Figuring out if your baby is overtired or undertired does not have to be a guessing game. With a little observation, tracking, and adjusting, you will get the hang of it. Remember, there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to sleep. Every baby is different, but with the right tools and a little patience, you will get there. You've got this!
If you found this blog helpful, leave a comment below or share it with other parents who might be struggling with sleep difficulties. I'm always here to help, and I'd love to hear how you're navigating the ups and downs of baby sleep.
Book a discovery call if you want more personalized guidance to get our baby sleep better.
For more insights and snippets, make sure to follow me on Instagram @yourzenbabysleep and visit www.yourzenbabysleep.com. I’m here to guide you every step of the way!
No more sleepless nights—just better sleep for everyone!
Did you know? I also host a weekly Q&A on my Instagram. Tune in or send me a DM on the 'gram!
I work with families one-on-one all the time who are experiencing issues with their babies' naps, overnight sleep, and more. If this sounds like you, please book a 15-minute sleep assessment call just so I can understand a little bit more about your child's sleep and then explain ways that I can work one-on-one with you to get it in order.
May your coffee be warm,
Sarah
Sarah is a Certified Pediatric Sleep Expert based in the NY/NJ Tri-State area and has helped over 500 families worldwide get their sleep back on track.
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