Decoding Sleep Cues and How They Can Improve Your Child's Sleep

As any new parent or caregiver knows, getting an infant or baby to sleep can feel like both a science and an art. Different children will have different ways of showing us that they're tired, and their sleep cues will likely change as they grow. But with practice over the early days and weeks we can tune in to our little one's behaviour to learn when they're telling us that they need a rest and what we should do about it when we see those signs.

What exactly is a sleep cue?

In this context we’re talking about yawns, eye rubs, grizzles and more! When we're talking about sleep cues in babies, we're talking about subtle (and sometimes not-so-subtle!) physical, behavioural or emotional signals that a baby might give to indicate they are getting tired and ready to sleep. These cues are your baby’s way of saying “I need to rest!” And learning to recognise them can make all the difference when it comes to smoother bed and nap times.

Why are sleep cues important?

Recognising these cues early can help us to offer sleep at the right time for your little one. It’s all about timing! When you spot these signals you can help avoid over-tiredness and hopefully achieve a smoother settle to sleep. 

Responding to sleep cues also helps create a sense of security and routine. Babies thrive on predictability and when they’re offered sleep at the right time sleep times are likely to become less stressful for everyone involved. It’s also a great way to bolster your attunement and attachment with your little one.

common sleep cues in babies: what to look out for

Every baby is unique but here are some common sleep cues to look out for. 

• Avoiding Eye Contact: One of the first, more subtle signs a baby is getting sleepy is avoiding eye contact. As they start to feel tired they may look away from you or stop making eye contact when you interact. This is a sign that they’re ready to tune out the world and settle down for a snooze.

• Looking Away: As babies get drowsy they may start losing interest in toys, sounds, or other stimuli around them. This can look like your baby nuzzling into your chest or turning their head away from bright lights and activity. If you’ve recently fed your baby so you know they’re not rooting, and they’ve been awake for a while, this could be their way of telling you, “It’s time for a nap!”

• Slower Movements: When babies are tired, their movements may become less purposeful and slower. They might stop kicking, wiggling, or actively playing.

• Yawning: A classic sign of sleepiness, babies will often yawn when they are starting to feel tired. It’s one of the most obvious signs that sleep is on the horizon. If your baby yawns more than once within a short period, it’s time to think about starting that nap or bedtime routine.

• Eye Rubbing or Face Rubbing: Babies often rub their eyes or face when they are sleepy. This is an instinctive, self-soothing behaviour and can be a sign they’re ready for rest.

• Fussiness or Irritability: If a baby suddenly becomes fussy or more easily upset, it can be an indicator that they are tired. This is especially true if the baby has been fed, changed, and is otherwise comfortable, but still seems unhappy.

• Clenching Fists or Grabbing Ears: Some babies will clench their hands into fists or tug on their ears when they’re tired. These actions may be linked to self-soothing as they try to calm themselves before sleep.

• Breathing Changes: A baby’s breathing may become slower and more rhythmic when they start to feel drowsy.

Key things to keep in mind:

• Keep in mind some babies might show a lot of cues, others only a few, some none at all! The important thing is knowing what’s normal for your baby. 

• Don't stress! Watching for sleep cues doesn’t have to be stressful. If you miss a cue here and there, don’t worry. You’ll get the hang of it over time, and every day is a new opportunity to tune into your baby’s needs.

• It’s not all science: A lot of what we know about baby sleep cues is based on personal experience, observations from parents, and what’s been learned through trial and error. So, trust your instincts—you know your baby best!

SO what should you do when you spot those sleep cues? 

In very young babies (up until about 4 months): at this stage babies need recent naps and likely don’t have predictable sleep schedules. If you spot a sleep cue it’s usually time to offer nap or bedtime with your usual routine.

As they get older: Once your baby is a little older and their nap schedule becomes a bit more predictable, sleep cues will help you fine-tune their sleep routine. You can use these cues to determine how long they can tolerate being awake before needing a nap, whether they’re ready to drop a nap, and if their nap schedule needs adjusting. You’ll also want to consider factors like how long it’s been since their last nap, how much they’ve eaten, whether they’ve had any stimulating activities, and how close it is to bedtime. Sometimes, responding to sleep cues means moving bedtime forward or encouraging them to stay awake just a little longer so your day doesn’t go totally off track, this could be offering exposure to natural light or a fruit snack to help them stay awake a little longer by harnessing their circadian rhythm.

FInal thoughts

Recognising and responding to your baby’s sleep cues can be a powerful tool. By tuning in to these signals early, you can help your little one settle into sleep more easily and avoid the frustrations of over-tiredness, and it can help support your consistent routine or gentle rhythm to your day.

That being said, new parents and caregivers have a lot to think about already and if this is adding more stress to your day then it definitely doesn't need to be a guiding principle in your family.

References

Hookway, L. (2020). Let’s talk about your new family’s sleep. Pinter and Martin