Welcome to parenthood!

Welcoming a new baby into the world is a joyous and transformative experience, but it comes with its challenges—especially when it comes to understanding and responding to your newborn's sleep cues. Recognizing these signs can make all the difference in helping your baby achieve restful sleep, which is crucial for their growth and development. In this blog, we'll explore the different sleepy cues that your newborn might show, offering practical tips and insights to help you create a calming bedtime routine and promote healthy sleep habits right from the start. Whether you're a first-time parent or seeking to refresh your knowledge, this guide aims to provide you with the tools to handle this vital aspect of newborn care with confidence and ease.

What Are Newborn Sleepy Cues?

Sleepy cues are the subtle signs and behaviors newborns exhibit when tired and ready for sleep.
Examples of Sleepy Cues:

Red Rimmed Eyes
Flushed Brows
Staring—sometimes referred to as the “Seven Mile Stare,” is a glazed-over look that a baby might have when they are very sleepy. Baby’s eyes may appear unfocused or distant.
Less active, more still/quiet
Yawning
Rubbing Eyes/Face/Nose
Fussiness/Crankiness - Late sign of tiredness/a sign that baby is likely very overtired
Arching Back, Twisting Body - Late sign of tiredness/a sign that baby is likely very overtired

What Do These Cues Mean?

Sleepy cues in newborns are subtle signs or behaviors that indicate your baby is ready to sleep or needs help transitioning to sleep. These cues are your baby's way of communicating that they are becoming tired and that it’s time to start winding down.
Newborns often need parental/caregiver assistance falling asleep - try a contact nap, practice a crib nap, whatever works for YOU!

When Are Sleepy Cues Most Reliable?

These sleepy cues discussed are most reliable from birth to around 11-12 weeks of age.
FACT - sleepy cues evolve as a baby gets older. For example, yawning in an older baby can signify boredom.

How to Respond to Sleepy Cues

Creating a Sleep Routine

Offer tips on establishing a consistent sleep routine based on recognizing sleepy cues & wake windows. Just Sleep Already has a newborn course that can guide you through what this looks like & so much more! (We can hyperlink the course here)

Avoiding Over-Tiredness: It's important to act promptly when you observe signs that your newborn is getting drowsy, such as yawning, rubbing their eyes/face, or being less active. Delaying bedtime or nap time can lead to overtiredness. An overtired baby may struggle to settle down and become more irritable and challenging to soothe. By putting your baby to sleep as soon as you observe these cues, you help ensure they transition smoothly into rest, leading to better sleep quality and a more harmonious routine for you and your little one.

Seeking Help: Consult with your baby's pediatrician if you have concerns about your baby's sleep patterns or cues.

Our Newborn Sleep Course

Understanding and responding to your newborn's sleepy cues can prevent overtiredness and ensure better sleep quality for your baby.

Great news! We have a Newborn Sleep Course available NOW! This course is designed to help you establish good sleep habits for your newborn.

It covers sleep tips, newborn soothing strategies, how to understand your newborn's cues and much more. Plus, you'll receive a free e-guide download that provides advice on how you and your partner can support each other during the newborn phase. Additionally, you can opt for a low-cost phone consultation with a sleep consultant to get personalized answers to your questions about your newborn's sleep.

Click on this link to learn more and download the online course (on sale)!

Take care! <3,

Jackie, Nicole, & Kaylee

Understanding Newborn Sleepy Cues: What They Are, What They Mean, & How to Respond