When my little one was born, I was convinced I’d just know when they were tired. I mean, how hard could it be? He’d cry, I’d put him down, and we’d all sleep like babies (well, better than babies because, let’s face it, they don’t sleep that well)! But it turns out, recognizing those early signs of sleepiness is more of an art than a science. So, let’s dive into the subtle (and sometimes not-so-subtle) hints our tiny humans give us when it’s time for a nap!

1.The Classic Yawn
This might seem like a no-brainer, but catching that first yawn is crucial. By the time you see three or four, your baby might be heading into overtired territory, which can make falling asleep harder. As soon as I see that little mouth open wide, I start winding things down.

2. Rubbing Eyes or Ears
This is one of those cues that’s easy to spot once you know what to look for. My baby’s eyes go from wide open to half-closed, and then the hands start creeping up to rub at their eyes or ears. It’s like a little “I’m tired, help me out here!” signal.

3. Zoning Out
When your baby starts to look like they’re in a daze, staring off into space like they’re pondering the meaning of life, it’s usually a sign they’re ready for some shut-eye. This was a tricky one for me to pick up on because I used to think, “Oh, they’re just calm and content”. Or “Look how interested they are in that wall”. Nope! They’re trying to tell you it’s naptime.

3. Decreased Activity
If your baby is usually wiggling around like they’ve got ants in their onesie and suddenly they go still, it’s probably because they’re getting sleepy. For me, it’s like watching a wind-up toy slow down—less kicking, less babbling, just a slow fade into drowsiness.

4. Fussiness and Clinginess
Sometimes, it’s not as subtle. If your usually happy baby starts getting cranky for no apparent reason, or they suddenly want to be held more than usual, it could be their way of saying, “I’m tired, help!” It took me a while to realize that this wasn’t just general fussiness but a sign that sleep was needed ASAP.

Like most things when it comes to parenting, your gut instinct will often be your best guide so remember to trust yourself! If you sense your baby is tired, you’re likely right! You’re the expert on your baby, even if it doesn’t always feel like it. Every baby is different, so their cues might not look exactly like the ones I’ve mentioned. Pay attention to their unique signals, and you’ll soon become a pro at spotting when they need some shut-eye.

What works for one baby, may not work for another baby, but this is what worked for us!

Through Baby & You Nurture, I support parents in navigating these early years with compassion and understanding.

Because parenting is hard enough without feeling like you’re doing it wrong.

Support for Parents in the Early Years

The early years of parenting can bring huge joy, but also uncertainty and emotional overwhelm.

Through Baby & You Nurture, I offer therapeutic coaching and emotional support for parents during pregnancy and the first three years of their child’s life.

My approach combines:

• Pesso Boyden (PBSP) therapy principles
• NLP coaching
• My own experience navigating life as a first-time mum

Because when parents feel supported, babies feel safe too.