Baby doesn't sleep during the day: What you can do about it

It can be quite frustrating when your little darling simply won't sleep during the day. The lack of daytime sleep can not only make your baby grumpy, but also put a strain on your own energy and patience. But don't worry, you're not alone—many mothers face the same problem. In this article, you'll find some helpful tips on how to address the problem of lack of daytime sleep.

1. Why doesn't the baby sleep during the day?

There are many reasons why babies have trouble falling asleep during the day, and one of them is overstimulation. Overstimulation occurs when the baby processes too many sensory stimuli at once, which can lead to restlessness and difficulty falling asleep. This can be caused by loud noises, bright lights, or a cluttered environment. If your baby takes in too many stimuli during the day, they may have difficulty settling down and falling asleep.

Calming and relaxing elements in your daily routine will help prevent overstimulation. Consciously create a calm and relaxing atmosphere by dimming the lights and playing soft music. Reduce loud noises and keep the environment as quiet as possible before and during bedtime. If you notice your baby starting to get tired, guide them toward calming activities like gentle cuddles or soft singing. This can minimize environmental stimuli and help your baby prepare for sleep.

2. How to avoid overstimulation

It's important to recognize which activities or environmental conditions may overwhelm your baby. Pay attention to how your baby reacts to different situations. If they show signs of fussiness, crying, or rubbing their eyes, they may be overstimulated. Then reduce sensory stimulation by moving to a quieter room, dimming the lights, and avoiding loud noises. A suitable environment can help your baby calm down and sleep better.

3. Overtiredness causes restlessness

It may sound counterintuitive, but an overtired baby often has trouble falling asleep. When babies are overtired, they often become irritable, restless, and have difficulty calming down, relaxing, and falling asleep. Overtiredness can lead to a vicious cycle: the more tired the baby becomes, the more difficult it becomes to fall asleep.

The reason is the hormone cortisol, which is released when you're overtired. Cortisol is actually a wakefulness hormone. If you don't offer sleep when you're tired, it signals to your body that it's apparently not a good time to sleep. This wakefulness hormone then prevents your baby from falling asleep.

4. The role of a structured daily routine

This doesn't mean you should stick to strict eating and sleeping times. That's unnatural for your baby and can quickly have the opposite effect: overtiredness and hunger.

A structured daily routine can help signal to your baby that it's time to sleep. Create a relaxing atmosphere by incorporating calming activities like gentle singing or stroking into the routine when it's time for a nap. Predictable routines create security and help with relaxation.

Also pay attention to age-appropriate waking times and possible signs of tiredness. These can be very unusual and even change over time. Observe your child to find out your individual signs of tiredness.

The following signs are typical and can serve as a guide:

Once your baby is overtired, it's important to stay calm. Here's first aid for overtiredness:

It can take varying amounts of time for your baby to relax and calm down. Darkness and physical contact strongly remind you of the cozy environment in mom's womb.

Even if it's difficult, take a deep breath and remain calm and understanding. Babies can't calm themselves yet and depend on us. They calm themselves through us. The calmer we are, the calmer our children will be. This calmness will then be transferred to your baby.

5. Carrier – movement and physical contact in one

If your baby absolutely refuses to sleep, alternative methods such as carrying your baby in a carrier or sling could be a wonderful option. Many babies feel soothed by being close to their mother and thus find it easier to fall asleep.

Sleeping in a carrier or sling mimics the comforting feeling of being in mom's belly. Gentle movement, maximum physical contact, and mom's wonderful scent. There's nothing better for falling asleep in a relaxed manner.

Don't be afraid that you're instilling a habit in your baby by sleeping in a carrier. A relaxing sleep habit isn't pampering, but rather a wonderful sleep aid, and as long as it works well for both baby and mom, you can use it without worry.

6. Infants sleep differently

Babies up to about 3 months of age don't have a distinct day-night rhythm. This only develops between the 8th and 12th week of life. This is when the little body begins to produce the sleep hormone melatonin. At this point, it's worth darkening the bedroom for daytime naps, because melatonin is only produced in the dark.

To produce enough melatonin, the happiness hormone serotonin is needed. This hormone is produced in daylight. Therefore, to ensure sufficient production of sleep hormones, we need sufficient exposure to daylight. Get outside regularly and treat yourself to plenty of daylight (especially during the darker months). Regular exercise breaks are also important and can have a positive effect on daytime sleep.

Sleep is rather chaotic until the growth spurt around the fourth month of life. Often, no discernible sleep pattern is evident, and naps vary in length. The sleep pattern is also quite different: initially, it consists of only two sleep phases. Your baby will either sleep deeply and soundly or wake up at the slightest noise. Only after the fourth month of life does the sleep pattern change and resemble that of an adult (although this doesn't mean your baby will automatically sleep through the night).

The tips in this article are designed to help you improve your baby's daytime sleep and avoid overstimulation. Remember not to overwhelm yourself—it's completely normal for babies to have different needs. With love, patience, and a dose of calmness, you and your baby will find a good rhythm together.

With loving support,
Anna

Guest article by Anna von Dream nights:
Instagram: dream nights

Website: https://www.annaguenther.de/