💤 Sleep · 0–12 months
🥱 Spotting your baby's tired cues
Yawning, looking away or becoming less engaged may mean your baby needs a break. Cues vary and can overlap with hunger or discomfort, so look at the whole baby rather than chasing a perfect sleep window.
Signs to keep an eye on
- Yawning or looking away.
- Less interest in faces or play.
- Eye rubbing or fussiness.
- A change from your baby's usual activity.
Your game plan
1. Notice patterns
Watch what your baby does before naps over several days. Check hunger, nappy and comfort too; one cue alone does not diagnose tiredness.
2. Lower the stimulation
Pause busy play, soften your voice and dim the lights. Offer a cuddle or feed if your baby shows hunger cues.
3. Settle safely
Place your baby on their back on a firm, flat mattress in their own clear cot or bassinet, in your room for at least the first 6 months. Keep pillows, loose blankets and toys out.
4. Stay flexible and alert
Sleep timing changes with age and from day to day. Use light clothing suited to the room temperature. Unusual difficulty waking or poor feeding needs medical advice; call 999 for breathing difficulty, blue colour or floppiness.
Classic mistakes
- ❌ Treating wake windows as deadlines Online timing charts are not rules for every baby. Follow your baby's needs and any feeding or growth advice from their clinician.
- ❌ Assuming all crying means overtiredness Check comfort, hunger and illness. If you feel overwhelmed, place your baby safely in their cot and take a brief break; never shake them.
A local detail, or your own experience with this guide? Write to the team
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When in doubt, contact your doctor or midwife. For a life-threatening emergency, call 999.