Natural sleep cues part 2 - Learning your baby's early sleep cues

Decoding your baby's early sleep cues is one of the things that lots of new parents find difficult. as a sleep coach, it's my job to help you realise these. Beyond yawns and eye-rubbing, babies express their readiness for sleep through subtle signals like grimacing, scowling, turning away, putting their hands in front of their face, pulling at their ears, losing focus, and becoming 'glassy-eyed.' Recognising and responding to these early sleep cues is not only essential for encouraging healthy sleep habits but is also instrumental in helping to determine the best nap time for baby.

By the time a baby reaches the stage of crying and obvious eye rubbing, they are often already overtired. Understanding and responding to the earlier, more subtle cues is hugely important in the world of sleep training for creating a sleep routine that aligns with your baby's natural rhythm. The key lies in recognising when your baby is entering a state of drowsiness and grabbing that window of opportunity for a nap. We can often see missed nap opportunities when looking back at sleep logs, as the sleep latency is a big indicator in how ready baby was for a nap.

Grimacing and scowling

Babies might express discomfort or fatigue through facial expressions like grimacing or scowling. These early signs indicate that it's time to start winding down and prepare for a nap.

Turning away and hands in front of their face

When your baby turns away or places their hands in front of their face, they are signaling a desire for less stimulation. Just like you when you don't want to speak to someone anymore! This is an early indication that the environment should become quieter and more soothing in preparation for sleep.

Pulling at their ears and losing focus

Babies often pull at their ears when they're tired, and their ability to focus may diminish. These subtle gestures suggest that your little one is ready for a break, signaling the perfect time for a nap.

Becoming 'glassy eyed'

As fatigue sets in, babies may develop a "glassy-eyed" look, indicating a transition to a more relaxed state. Recognising this cue is helpful in avoiding the overtired stage.

Initiating naps

Understanding your baby's early sleep cues enables you to pinpoint the ideal time for nap initiation. Rather than waiting for overtiredness and late-stage cues, parents can take advantage of the early signals to establish a nap routine that aligns with their baby's natural sleep rhythm. Traditional sleep training and sleep coaching tends to rely solely on wake windows, whereas I like to use the baby's own sleep cues to tune into their individual circadian rhythm and find the best schedule for each individual baby.

Preventing overtiredness‍

Getting your baby ready for a nap at the first signs of early sleep cues helps prevent overtiredness. Overtired babies often find it more challenging to settle into sleep, leading to disrupted sleep patterns. The trick is to not put them down too early, or they won't be tired enough for a 'proper' nap.

Enhancing sleep quality

Napping at the right time based on early sleep cues contributes to better sleep quality. By respecting your baby's natural sleep rhythm, you create an environment that is conducive to restful and restorative sleep.

Establishing a predictable routine

Incorporating nap times based on early sleep cues into your daily routine establishes predictability. Most babies thrive on routine, and a consistent nap schedule supports their overall well-being.

Conclustion

Mastering the art of recognising and responding to your baby's early sleep cues is a skill that will benefit both you and your baby. A sleep consultant can help you with this aspect of sleep coaching. By understanding the subtle signs of tiredness and initiating nap times accordingly, you not only prevent overtiredness but also contribute to a regular sleep routine. So, the next time you notice those early cues, start your baby's nap time routine and enjoy that cup of tea in peace!