How to Get an Overtired Baby to Sleep

If you miss your baby's regular bedtime, you may find that she moves from acting tired to seeming like she is wide awake again. However, you will soon notice that your child is actually overtired, feeling cranky, short-tempered and generally unhappy. Although the best way to avoid this is to put her to bed at the first sign of sleepy cues, such as eye rubbing and yawning, you can learn to soothe your baby into sleep even after she is already overtired by creating a calming and comforting sleep environment that lets her body and mind relax again.

Things You'll Need

  • Lavender essential oil
  • Oil or lotion
  • Candles or light dimmer

Instructions

    • 1

      Dim the lights in all the rooms where you will put your baby to sleep. Make the lights as dark as possible while still leaving enough light to see by to help him regain his sleepy state.

    • 2

      Light candles in the rooms, being very careful to put them in safe, high locations out of your baby's reach and where they cannot be knocked over or are not near any items that can catch fire easily, such as curtains.

    • 3

      Turn the heat or air conditioner to a comfortable temperature. Keeping the rooms a little warm will help your baby get sleepy again.

    • 4

      Fill the bathtub with warm water, checking the temperature before putting your child in the water.

    • 5

      Pour two to four drops of lavender essential oil into the water, and mix with your hands. Lavender has a calming scent to soothe babies out of being cranky and into being sleepy.

    • 6

      Put your baby in the warm bathtub, being careful to support and supervise her as necessary. Leave her in the tub as long as she is enjoying the water, keeping your voice low and soothing and adding warm water as necessary until she seems to be calming down. Many babies enjoy the water and can make the transition from being overtired and wanting to play to being sleepy while in the warm water.

    • 7

      Remove your baby from the tub, and wrap him in a towel.

    • 8

      Diaper your baby, but do not dress her yet. Cover her with a blanket if necessary for warmth.

    • 9

      Pour a quarter-size amount of baby lotion or oil into your hand. Add lavender essential oil if desired.

    • 10

      Lay your baby on his back, and uncover only the part of his body you will be massaging.

    • 11

      Massage your baby with gentle, circular motions with both hands, working from her head down. Make eye contact with your baby, and sing or talk to her while massaging.

    • 12

      Turn your baby onto his tummy if he will let you, and massage the back of his body, again using gentle, circular motions.

    • 13

      Wipe excess lotion from your baby's skin, and dress her in comfortable pajamas.

    • 14

      Sit in a comfortable chair or other seat with your baby settled on your lap.

    • 15

      Nurse your baby, or feed him with a bottle if he is hungry. You could also offer a pacifier if desired. Sing or hum a song to your baby or talk soothingly while feeding him. He may fall asleep while eating.

    • 16

      Lay your baby in her usual sleeping place if she will let you put her down without getting upset. Otherwise, continue to hold her on your lap.

    • 17

      Rub your baby's back or tummy in a gentle, circular motion. Sing or hum to your baby while rubbing his back as he drifts off to sleep.

    • 18

      Lay your baby down carefully in bed after she is asleep, being careful to wait until she is breathing deeply and evenly, signaling that she is in a deep sleep.

    • 19

      Extinguish all candles in your baby's room and bathroom.

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