The Yawning Brigade Signs - That Your Baby Is Ready To Sleep

Parents often have a sixth sense when it comes to decoding their baby’s unique cry.

We call it the wail radar.

And, boy, are there many categories of cries.

For instance, the hungry cry, sleepy cry, uncomfortable cry, or even, scared cry.

But sometimes the screeches and howls aren’t so telling.

It’s not always easy to decipher the subtle differences between hunger, sleepiness, gas, pain, fear, and general fussiness.

By misreading your baby's non-verbal cues, you and your infant could both end up feeling exhausted, frustrated and demotivated.

So, what’s the solution?

A little thing called knowledge and preparation.

In this blog, we’ll give you the tools to identify one of the most important needs of a newborn baby – sleep.

What are the signs of sleep readiness?

When your little one’s behaviour begins to change, it could signal that they are ready to sleep.

Make sure to observe their body language and how they’re responding to a variety of stimuli.

Keep in mind that every baby is unique, and you'll have to monitor your child closely to figure out their signature cues.

The most common signs of sleep readiness include:

1. Crying
2. Yawning
3. Eye rubbing
4. Ear tugging
5. Fist sucking
6. Back arching
7. Turning away from stimuli, including the breast, bottle, sound or lights

If your baby is displaying some or all of the above signs, it generally means that they are overtired and settling down could be challenging.

In contrast, if your baby is turning toward your breast, hunger is likely the cause of the distress.

How much sleep should a baby get?

According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM), a baby’s sleep requirements will vary according to the age group:

• Infant (4-11 months): 12 to 16 hours
• Toddler (1-2 years): 11 to 14 hours
• Pre-schooler (3-5 years): 10 to 13 hours
• School goer (6-9 years) 9 to 12 hours

Newborn babies typically sleep through the day, approximately 16 to 18 hours.

Their sleep is spread over a number of naps, broken up by internals of wakefulness (30 to 60 minutes).

Please note – it’s uncommon for newborn babies to sleep through the night without waking up to feed.

How can you prevent a baby from being overtired?

By following these 8 rules, you will be able to ensure that your baby gets ample rest.

Moreover, rest when it’s needed.

1. Get acquainted with your baby’s sleep cycle and patterns.
2. Watch out for sleep cues.
3. Establish a healthy bedtime routine.
4. Get your baby down half an hour before the designated sleep time.
5. Don’t overstimulate your baby before a nap.
6. Make sure you get some rest, as your baby will not be able to settle down if you’re sleep deprived.
7. Get your hands on Greendigo’s amazing sleep products – swaddle, sleeping bag, sleep sack, wearable blanket, bedding sets.

Do check out our blog titled, “Greendigo’s Sleep Fairy Is at Your Service!” for information on sleep cycles and patterns.