5 Signs Your Baby Is Overtired (And What to Do About It)
- Amanda Henwood
- May 22
- 2 min read
It’s one of the most common sleep challenges parents face — a baby who seems tired, but just won’t sleep. Often, the culprit is overtiredness. It can feel confusing and frustrating, especially when you’re doing everything "right" but your little one is still fussy, wired, or waking often. In this post, we’ll gently guide you through five common signs of overtiredness and offer supportive, practical tips to help your baby (and you) get the rest you need.
1. Fighting Naps or Bedtime
You know your baby is tired, but the more you try to settle them, the more they resist. This can be a key sign of overtiredness. When babies are awake too long, their bodies release stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline — making it harder for them to fall asleep, even when they desperately need it.
What to do: Try adjusting their awake windows (the time between naps) to catch them before that second wind hits. Look for sleepy cues like rubbing eyes, staring off, or losing interest in play.
2. The “Second Wind” — Wired and Wide-Eyed
Overtired babies can sometimes look the opposite of tired. Instead of slowing down, they become hyper-alert, fidgety, or even giddy. This is their body’s way of pushing through fatigue — but it makes settling much harder.
What to do: Stick to a consistent wind-down routine and dim the lights about 20–30 minutes before sleep. A calm environment helps their body and brain shift into rest mode.
3. Frequent Night Wakings
Was your baby previously sleeping longer stretches but is now waking every hour or two? Overtiredness can make it difficult for babies to link sleep cycles, leading to more frequent wake-ups overnight.
What to do: Make sure they’re not staying up too long between naps or bedtime. Earlier bedtimes often help overtired babies get back on track.
4. Short Naps in an Overtired Baby (30–40 Minutes or Less)
Babies who are overtired often struggle to reach deeper stages of sleep. As a result, naps can be short and unrefreshing, creating a cycle of fatigue that builds throughout the day.
What to do: Offer naps before your baby gets too fussy or wired. Even a slightly earlier nap can help reset their rhythm and lead to longer, more restful sleep.
5. Fussiness or Crying When Being Settled
If your baby seems especially fussy when being rocked, fed, or placed down for sleep, overtiredness may be the reason. Their nervous system is overstimulated, making it harder to soothe.
What to do: Focus on calm, repetitive settling techniques — rocking, shushing, patting — and give them a little extra support. Overtired babies often need more help to settle than usual.
Overtiredness is common, but it doesn’t have to be a constant struggle. By tuning into your baby’s cues and gently adjusting their routine, you can start to break the cycle and support more restful sleep.
Need help finding the right rhythm for your little one?
Book a free discovery call or explore our personalised sleep support options. We’re here to help you find calm, responsive solutions that work for your family.
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