Overtired or Undertired?

As mothers, we become scientists of our babies' sleep needs.  If a nap didn't go well, we want to know why.  Two common answers to why a nap doesn't happen are (1) putting Baby down too soon and (2) putting Baby down too late.  How can we tell the difference?  Here are some signs I've discovered of over-tiredness and under-tiredness:


Over-Tired Signs:
*Baby was yawning or rubbing his face earlier and no longer is.
*He doesn't seem to be happy no matter what you do.
*He seems overly energetic, almost frantic.
*He cries when you begin your wind down routine.
*When you put him down for a nap he cries hard almost like he's in pain.
*He suddenly falls asleep after his cries crescendo to a hard cry.
*Baby needs a car ride or the sound of the dryer to fall asleep.
*He only sleeps 30-45 minutes before waking.
*This is most common with young babies because they need a lot of sleep.


How to keep it from happening:
*Cut back on wake-time by 15 minute increments until naps lengthen and come with less tears.
*Put young babies (up to 4 months old) down at the first yawn.
*Use the "shush-pat" to help a young baby forget everything else and fall asleep.
*Make wake-time less stimulating.  It really doesn't take much to entertain a baby.


Under-Tired Signs:
*Baby seems fidgety while you do the wind down routine.
*When you lay him in the crib, he plays rather than falling asleep.
*Playing more than 30 minutes before falling asleep.
*Short nap or no nap.
*This is more common with older babies whose sleep needs are diminishing.


How to keep it from happening:
*Experiment with giving more wake-time (sometimes 10 minutes is all it takes).
*If Baby doesn't calm during the wind down, let him play a little more.
*After he's been playing in the crib for 30 minutes, go in and tell him rather firmly to go to sleep or repeat a shortened version of the wind down routine.
*If he's been playing more than 30 minutes, move him to a swing to fall asleep more easily as he may now be too tired to fall asleep on his own.


Giving Baby the sleep he needs can be difficult sometimes.  During developmental leaps, when they're sick (or after shots), or after a particularly stimulating wake-time it can be harder to come by sleep.  Patience and study on Mom's part can help.


RESOURCES
Babywise
Secrets of the Baby Whisperer