What are signs of overtiredness in newborns?

Common overtired cues to watch for

Overtired babies can become harder to settle. Recognizing early signs allows you to put the baby down before they reach peak fussiness.

Signs of overtiredness:

• Inability to settle or falling asleep for short periods and waking quickly.
• Fussiness, increased crying, arching of back, or turning head away.
• Wide-eyed alertness or failure to show normal sleep cues like yawning.

How to prevent and respond

Shorten wake windows and look for early sleepy cues. Use calming pre-sleep routines and avoid over-stimulating activities close to nap time or bedtime. If the baby is already overtired, try calming holds, swaddling, white noise, and a dim environment to help them settle.