How to Soothe an Overtired Baby

Babies naturally exhibit signs of sleepiness when they get tired, such as yawning and droopy eyes. If a baby does not fall asleep soon after tiring, he can easily become agitated and overtired. Signs of overtiredness are fussiness, irritability, rubbing of the eyes and general crankiness. Parents can avoid overtiredness in their baby by responding to signs of sleepiness and putting him to bed. Unavoidably, situations will arise that cannot be helped and a baby will get fussy and irritable. Parents can take steps to help soothe their baby and lull him to sleep.

Instructions

    • 1

      Remove your baby from external stimuli that might keep her awake. Take her to a different room, if necessary. Keep her away from loud noises and lots of motion.

    • 2

      Remove restrictive clothing, such as bulky sweatshirts, jackets or pants that bind around the waist. Take off your baby's shoes and gently massage his feet. Make your baby is as comfortable as possible.

    • 3

      Dim the lights or plug in a nightlight. Pull the shades or close the blinds if your baby is napping during the day, to darken the room.

    • 4

      Give your baby a favorite object that she likes to cuddle with, such as a stuffed animal, toy or blanket. Be sure to remove the object after she has fallen asleep to avoid possible suffocation or injury.

    • 5

      Turn on soft music if your baby is used to and enjoys it. Create white noise by turning a fan on low speed.

    • 6

      Use a calm, soothing voice and sing or talk to him while he is trying to fall asleep. Whisper reassuring words to provide comfort.

    • 7

      Gently rock your baby in a rocking chair to help her relax. Place her in the crib while she is still awake to avoid dependency on being rocked to sleep. Your baby should be able to fall asleep on her own.

    2. Previous:

    Next:

    • Silicone Vs. Latex Pacifiers
      Many babies find it comforting to suck on a pacifier. Since pacifiers are part of a babys daily routine, parents and caregivers should consider which type of pacifier they select for their child. Pacifiers can be made out of latex or silicone. Each t
    • How to Soothe a Baby After Shots
      Vaccines provide important protection for a baby; they can prevent many serious and fatal diseases. Even though shots are necessary, it is still hard to see your little one in pain. Babies under a year old need to get a few shots every couple of mont
    • The Best Indications of Pain in an Infant
      Small babies may have difficulty conveying their needs, so it is important to watch for clues as to how they are feeling. When they are in pain, there are specific signs and actions that notify parents that their infant is in pain. They can also lead