if she's tired...why doesn't she sleep??

lilmissmuffin12

seems like such an easy concept for adults....but man do babies make it difficult!

MrsBeckO

We have about a 15-20 minute window of opportunity between her first sleepy cue and when there is no way in hell we can get her to sleep. We have to act on those eye rubs and outer-space-stares otherwise she gets too sleepy and fights it. 

Is your LO overtired? 

Purrrfect433

When babies and children get overtired, they start producing a hormone that makes it really hard for them to wind down and fall asleep. That's why it's important to keep them on a predictable sleep schedule and pay attention to their sleep cues. It makes it so much harder for everyone, baby AND parents to deal with an overtired and cranky baby.

juliane2004

Agreed with PP.

Guideline for Awake time for babies (between naps)
Newborn 50-60 mins
1 month 60 mins-hour and 15
2 months 1 hour and 15 - 20 mins
3 months 1 hour and 20 - 30 mins
4 months 1 hour and 45 - 2 hours
5 months 2 hours - 2.25 hours
Late 5 months/early 6 months 2.25-2.5 hours
6.5 - 7 months 2.75-3 hours. Some are getting more.
8 - 10 months 3 - 4 hours. Some are getting more.
11 - 12 months 3.5 -4.5 hours. Some are getting more if moved early to 1 nap 

meg1974

This actually isn't true for all babies. I struggled so much with DD in the earlier months b/c I was following what all the books said about schedules and awake time. It wasn't until I stopped paying attention to those that she actually started sleeping. I had to wait longer than all the books recommended, and then she would fall asleep with no problem.