How to Tell If Your Baby Is Overtired + What to Do About It

There’s a thin line between overtiredness and undertiredness. For some very alert and sensitive babies (what this author calls "livewires"), this line can be especially thin. If we don’t put these babies down when their bodies need to, they often get a second wind. Once that happens, falling (and staying) asleep becomes much harder.

Yawning is the most common sleepy cue, which means it's time!

Signs Your Baby Is Tired

Watch for these cues:

• Yawning

• Less playful than usual

• Redness around the eyebrows (some babies)

• Warm hands

• Rubbing eyes

• Approaching the end of their wake window

When you notice these signs, it’s time to start prepping for a nap. Head to the room, change the diaper if needed, dim the lights, and begin your usual pre-nap routine (such as rocking, nursing, or putting the baby down awake).

Understanding Wake Windows

Not sure what your baby’s wake windows are? Every baby is different, and wake windows can vary a lot. Typically:

• The first wake window of the day is the shortest

• The last wake window is the longest

Keeping an eye on these windows helps prevent overtiredness before it starts.

wakeful windows by age group

What Happens When Sleep Cues Are Missed

Missing your baby’s sleepy cues or wake window can lead to overtiredness.

Signs include:

• Crying and fussiness

• Multiple meltdowns

• Hyperactivity (they look awake but are actually over-stimulated)

• Wake window has passed

What to do: Start the nap as soon as possible. You might not have time for your full routine, and that’s okay. It may take longer for your baby to fall asleep, and bedtime could include false starts or extra night wakings — all common signs of overtiredness.

Planning for Longer Wake Windows

Sometimes, wake windows will naturally be longer — for example, on weekends or during outings. Naps might be skipped, and that’s fine. Enjoy the moment! You can always get back on track the next day.

How an overtiredness cycle might look:

1. Baby goes down late for a nap

2. Nap is short

3. Following naps are a disaster

4. Bedtime is late

5. Night wakings increase

6. The next day repeats the cycle

How to Break the Cycle

If your baby is already overtired, here’s how to reset:

1. Check their total sleep needs (see sleep recommendations here).

2. Regulate wake-up and bedtime.

3. Make sure naps are long enough, even if that means offering a contact nap now and then.

Overtiredness is one of the most common challenges parents face, but it’s manageable. By learning your baby’s sleepy cues, monitoring wake windows, and resetting when necessary, you’ll help your little one — and yourself — get the rest you both need. Sleep is a skill that develops over time, so give yourself grace and trust that with consistency, better sleep is always within reach.