Why does an overtired baby sleep worse?
⚡ Short answer: Overtiredness causes cortisol and adrenaline — arousal hormones — to spike in baby's body.
Anonymous
bir anne · Sleep
When my baby gets very tired, instead of calming down, she gets fussier and can't sleep. Why does being overtired make sleep harder?
Maiyko AI ADVISOR
The real reply from the in-app AI advisor
Overtiredness causes cortisol and adrenaline — arousal hormones — to spike in baby's body. These hormones put baby in "fight or flight" mode while simultaneously blocking melatonin, the hormone that regulates sleep. So baby is physically exhausted but her nervous system is on high alert — that's why she can't calm down, cries, and can't fall asleep. In small babies, the window between tiredness signals (yawning, eye rubbing, glazed look) and sleep is very short, and when this window closes, the overtiredness cycle starts. This is why the most effective approach is to watch for signals and start the sleep transition routine the moment you notice them.
⚕️ Health note: This answer is for general information only; it is not medical advice. Every baby is different — for decisions about your baby's health, consult your pediatrician.
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