Are You Missing Your Child's Sleepy Cues? The Importance of Recognising Them
- Sophie Sleep
- Mar 18, 2023
- 2 min read
Updated: Feb 27
"Let them sleep, for when they wake, they will move mountains" - Adaptation, Napoleon Bonaparte
#What are sleepy cues?
Sleepy cues are the signs that your baby or toddler will show when they are ready for a nap, bedtime or that they are overtired.
Recognising your little ones early sleep cues can really help you determine when they may be ready to sleep. These signs will vary baby to baby, overtime you will begin to notice these cues and as they grow and develop they will change.
Trying to catch your little one in their early stages of tiredness can help with settling and create a smoother transition into sleep.
#Possible early signs of tiredness in newborn's and babies (0-1 year)
Yawning and stretching
Fussing/ rubbing face on caregivers face or chest
Losing interest in toys or people
Turning face away
Glazed expression
Waving arms and legs
Looking pale
Going quiet
Red eyebrows / eyes
#Possible late signs of tiredness in newborn's and babies (0-1 year)
Grimacing
Back arching / thrashing of arms and legs
Asking for comfort through feeding or not wanting to be put down
Refusing a feed or to be comforted
Rubbing eyes / ears
Pulling up knees and vigorous wriggling
Crying or being inconsolable through a high pitch cry / scream
Pulling ears
Rubbing face on parents chest or shoulder
Scratching their head or face
Pulling hair
Appearing to become hyperactive
#Possible early signs of tiredness in toddlers (1 - 2 years)
Yawning and stretching
Rubbing eyes / ears
Glazed expression
Boredom / less interest in toys or people
Becoming emotional
Looking pale
Demanding more attention
#Possible late signs of tiredness in toddlers and older children(1 year +)
Temper tantrums
Clumsiness
Crying and inconsolable screaming
Falling asleep at any given chance e.g. in the car or pram
Fussiness/ irritability, being tricky to comfort and calm
Ignoring caregiver
Difficulty falling and staying asleep
Fussiness with eating or refusing to cooperate with day to day activities
All of a sudden become hyperactive and lots of energy - adrenaline has hit the body
All babies and toddlers are different, some sleepy cues may be very hard to read, so it is worth taking note of how long they have been up for. Following your baby or toddlers lead on when they are ready to sleep, rather than waiting for a certain time of the day to put them down for a nap or for bedtime can really make a difference, all children are different, they do not all fit into one size fits all e.g. classic 7 - 7 routine. It is also important to bear in mind, that these signs may also be an indication that your baby or toddler is not very well, so it is crucial to also be mindful to check over your little one and rule this out before assuming they are just tired. The Lullaby Trust - Baby Check App is a useful resource to determine this.
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