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It is important to identify baby sleep cues to help them sleep better. You will find it difficult to put an overly exhausted baby to sleep, or they might wake up more often in the night.A common mistake most parents make is waiting for the baby to get tired and fussy before putting them to bed, as they think these are the signs that the baby is ready to sleep.
However, before hitting crankiness and crying, the babies give subtle cues to show they are sleepy, similar to the cues they show when hungry. So identifying and designing bedtimes based on these cues can make it easy for you to put your baby to sleep. Read on to know.
What Are The Common Baby Sleep Cues?
Here are some of the sleep cues a baby shows before they getovertired and fussy.
- Yawningis one of the first few signs of a sleepy baby(1).
- Thebaby rubs their eyesand pulls or rubs their ears(2).
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- Less activityor movement is a common cue. Exhausted babies might show reduced playfulness.
- Babies usually stop making the usual playful sounds and becomeless vocal.
- They seem disinterested andless interactivewith their surroundings. It might also be difficult to keep them engaged.
- Weak sucking is one of the common cues of a sleepy baby.They may be too tired to suck.
- Eyes of the babies seemless focused,and they tend to look away when you stare at them(1).
- Rednessaround the eyes is commonly seen in sleepy babies.
- Drooping eyelidsare also noticeable.
- Babies also exhibit their sleepiness through thejerky movementof hands and legs.
- Theysmile lessthan usual.
- 年代ome babiessuck thumbor fingerswhen they are sleepy. It is a way to self-soothe.
- When babies are extremely sleepy, they might become cranky, fussy, and irritable and might end upcryingif not put to bed(3).
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When babies sleep after they are extremely cranky, they may not have a good quality sleep.The baby would wake up often or sooner and remain irritable or cranky.
How To Identify Your Baby’s Sleep Cues?
A newborn’s sleep cues may go unnoticed in the early days. However, you will eventually learn to identify them. We give you a few tips to help you identify the cues and improve thebaby’s sleepschedule.
- Pay close attentionto your baby to identify his or her behavioral changes. Most babies become a little silent and less active before getting fussy and cranky. Identifying the correct time will help you put your baby to sleep faster.
- Notice the infant sleep pattern every day and understand theirwake-time length.Most babies have a fixed schedule of the number of hours they can be awake and be playful before they feel sleepy again.
- 文档宝宝睡觉的线索。Make notesof how your baby reacts and acts when he/she is sleepy.It will help you remember the changes in the baby’s sleep behavior and set sleep patterns accordingly.
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- Note down thenumber of hoursyour baby sleeps every day and also thetime durationyour baby can tolerate happily between two naps. Try to follow these leads to achieve a good sleep schedule for your baby.
如果你的baby shows sleeping cues, then it is recommended to put the baby to bed as early as possible to avoid extreme tiredness and irritability.
Tips To Put Your Baby To Sleep After Identifying Cues
Once you learn to identify your baby’s sleep cues, it becomes easier to decide the right time for the baby nap. Following these parenting tips might help you put your sleepy baby to bed.
- Babies thrive on routine. Establish the sleep routine and baby sleep schedule.
- Dress the baby in comfortable clothes according to the weather.
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- 睡眠环境也起着至关重要的作用。如果你的baby is hypersensitive to sound and light, then keep the baby’s crib in a dark and quiet room.
- You can either pat, rock, cradle, or swaddle the baby to sleep. Once the baby is older, you may provide sleep training and encourage them to sleep on their own by laying them in their crib when they are partially awake and sleepy. This is very important to prevent habit formation where you as parent become the “it” for your baby to fall asleep.
- Make sure that the baby’s diapers are changed to maintain sleep hygiene and infant health, and the baby’s stomach is full before putting them to bed. It can help them achieve uninterrupted and longer sleep.
- Try and establish a baby bedtime routine. Soothing and calming techniques like singing some nursery rhymes at bedtime might help the baby establish a correlation between the rhyme and sleeping. For older babies,bedtime storiesmight help them establish a routine.
- 年代leep aids also help to overcome sleep regressions in babies(4).
常见问题
1. How do I know if my baby is sleepy or lethargic?
You may know if your baby is sleepy or lethargic by a few changes in their behavior. A sleepy baby might feel energetic after a good nap. Whereas a lethargic baby may be tired most of the time, sleep more than usual, and not be as attentive as always. Lethargy could be a sign of an illness.
2. Should I put the baby down for a nap if they’re yawning?
Yawning is a good indicator that the baby is tired and sleepy. If you find that your baby is constantly yawning and has been showing other signs of tiredness such as eye-rubbing, declining interaction, fussiness, etc., it might be time for you to put them to sleep.
3. Is it safe to consume mosambi juice from street vendors during pregnancy?
一般建议锻炼要谨慎consuming food or beverages from street vendors during pregnancy. Street food may not always meet the same hygiene standards as regulated establishments and foodborne illnesses are at risk. To ensure safety, it is recommended to prioritize consuming fresh fruits and beverages from trusted sources or preparing them at home, where you have control over hygiene practices.
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It’s difficult to recognize a baby’s sleep cues in the early days because they sleep most of the time and only wake up to eat and poop. However, you may better understand their needs, routines, and sleep patterns as they become older. Although each baby has different sleeping requirements, yawning, drooping eyelids, and less activity are some common baby sleep cues. After you identify these cues, help them get ready for bed by dressing them in comfortable clothes, swaddling them, and ensuring the crib is in a dark and quiet place.
Infographic: Common Sleeping Cues In A Baby
Baby actions that indicate sleep readiness are known as sleep cues. Understanding and reacting to a baby’s sleep cues is critical to ensure that a baby has a good night’s sleep. So, check out the infographic below to learn about common signs that indicate your baby is tired and sleepy.
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Get high-quality PDF version by clicking below.
Download Infographic
Key Takeaways
- Parents can identify their baby’s proper bedtime with sleep cues, avoiding the need to wait for fussiness or crying.
- A sleepy baby may exhibit signs such as yawning, eye-rubbing, reduced playfulness, and crankiness.
- Parents should observe them closely and track their nap and wake times, to understand their baby’s sleep patterns and energy levels.
- 年代leep cues help children sleep well, establish a routine for feeding and napping, and prevent irritability from exhaustion.
- To help babies sleep, dress them comfortably, provide a quiet and dark environment, lay them in their crib before they fall asleep, feed and change them beforehand, and read or sing to them.
Discover effective techniques to identify your infant’s fatigue cues, facilitating quicker sleep. Explore the optimal approaches for a peaceful bedtime routine in order to promote restful nights.
References:
2.年代leep in Infants (2-12 Months);Nationwide Children’s
3.Children and Sleep; Sleep Foundation Organization
4.Use of Sleep Aids During the First Year of Life; National Library of Medicine
