How to Get an Overtired Baby to Sleep

The best way to help baby become a better sleeper? Make sure they're well-rested. Our experts explain how.

“We’ve all had the feeling of being so tired that you aren’t tired, and babies are exactly the same,” says King. When babies are overtired, their brains release cortisol, a stress hormone that helps to regulate the body’s sleep-wake cycle, and adrenaline, the fight-or-flight agent.

Waldburger adds that cortisol’s purpose is to keep us awake when we need to be alert: “So basically when we’re overtired, our brains think we must have a good reason to be awake, and it floods our systems with increased energy. Having elevated levels of cortisol in your system creates a feeling similar to caffeine; even if you’re tired, you feel amped up.” Babies with elevated cortisol have trouble falling asleep, experience more fitful sleep and wake too early from sleep periods.

“The best way to deal with overtiredness is to avoid it in the first place,” advises King. Of course, life being life, that isn’t always possible. Sometimes baby stays up later than expected or you miss a nap. When that happens, you’ll want to make their environment extra calming and soothing, and you can try things like

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