Insomnia in infants: what to do when the baby is sleepy but doesn't want to sleep?
The baby is obviously sleepy and tired, but doesn't want to sleep? Trying to put your baby to sleep ends with whining and crying? Every parent in the world from time to time faces the fact that their child is tired but still does not want to sleep.
What could be the cause of difficulty falling asleep? What can parents do to help their baby fall into a blissful sleep?
When nthe baby is sleepy but does not want to sleep, start from the basics and check your baby's well-being
When a baby is tired but does not want to sleep, parents begin to look for hidden reasons for this state of affairs, sometimes forgetting about the basic issues. When your toddler can't fall asleep, first of all, make sure that he or she is asleep key needs have been met:
- the baby is definitely not hungry or thirsty;
- has a changed diaper that is not fastened too tightly;
- let's make sure that the sleep clothes/pajamas are not tight and do not restrict movement;
- satisfied need for closeness;
- if the child is tired but does not want to sleep, it is worth checking whether he is not too hot or too cold;
Expert advises
We check the child's thermal comfort by touching the skin on the neck and/or chest area. If it is dry and warm, the baby has adequate thermal comfort. Warm and moist skin around the neck indicates overheating, while cold and dry skin means that your baby is too cold and should be dressed a little warmer for sleep. Especially during the heating season, remember that the optimal temperature in the room where the baby sleeps is approximately 19-21 C.
If so far your little one has had no problem falling asleep on his own in the bed, but the day comes when the baby is tired but does not want to sleep, perhaps he especially needs the parent's closeness, hugging and rocking. We responsively try to meet all the child's needs, remembering that they exist variables.
Baby is sleepy but doesn't want to sleep: what other causes could be the causes of difficulty falling asleep?
Overstimulation
Very often, even though they are tired, babies cannot fall asleep because they have experienced many new sensations and previously unknown stimuli during the day. It could be a visit to a new place, shopping in a shopping mall, or a whole day spent listening to the radio or TV.
In such situations, the child's nervous system may be overloaded (overstimulated). And this - contrary to appearances - may result in the baby being sleepy but not wanting to sleep. In such situations you should help your child calm down: dim the lights, close the curtains on the windows, turn off the music/TV, hug your baby or give him a soothing massage.
Development leap
Baby is sleepy but doesn't want to sleep? It is very possible that he is just going through a developmental leap in which the nervous system becomes more sensitive and susceptible to overstimulation.
Not all children experience growth spurts and milestones that are associated with temporary difficulty falling asleep, but it is relatively common.
Change in sleep requirement:
Baby is sleepy but doesn't want to sleep? Perhaps its circadian rhythm is changing due to... changing sleep needs. Between the ages of 11 and 18 months, most children give up their second nap during the day.
During this transitional period, parents often think that the baby is sleepy, but still does not want to sleep. In such a situation, instead of unsuccessfully trying to put the baby down for a second nap, it is worth starting preparations for night sleep earlier in the evening.
Baby is sleepy but doesn't want to sleep? Check if there's anything wrong with him
Difficulty falling asleep may be caused by: discomfort or pain. Therefore, if the baby is sleepy but does not want to sleep, and during the day he behaved differently than usual, this may indicate:
- Infection: The baby started developing an infection. It may be accompanied by, among others: increased body temperature, increased tearfulness and irritability, and difficulty falling asleep. If we suspect that the child is developing an infection, be sure to consult a doctor.
- Teething: tearfulness, profuse salivation, swollen and bloodshot gums, or a temporary reluctance to eat (or, on the contrary, a constant need to stay at the mother's breast) may indicate that the baby's teeth have started erupting. Painful gums often make a baby sleepy but not willing or able to sleep.
Expert advises
Relief may be provided by a massage of the gums performed by the parent, e.g. using gauze wrapped around a finger, moistened with water, or by using slightly cooled water teethers. Teething symptoms can sometimes be confused with the first symptoms of infection. If such doubts arise, it is better to consult a doctor.
- Infant colic or so-called tummy problems: a bloated, tense and painful belly or gastroesophageal reflux are some of the ailments that make it difficult for a child to fall asleep. If your baby often struggles with them and the parents don't know how to help him, it is worth seeking advice from a pediatrician.
Child often is sleepy but doesn't want to go to sleepć: what can be done about it, what is sleep hygiene?
One of the most common causes of children having difficulty falling asleep is: poor sleep hygiene. When a baby is sleepy but often does not want to sleep, it is worth ensuring that the daily times of naps, night sleep and wake-up are as constant as possible.
A constant, predictable daily schedule will give your baby a sense of security and make falling asleep much easier. Rituals related to calming down and falling asleep can also be very helpful.
Expert advises
About 1-2 hours before bedtime, we suggest the child play more calmly, without noisy toys, and avoid passive or active exposure of the child to blue light emitted by TV screens, computers and smartphones. Sleep hygiene also involves ensuring that the room in which we put the child to sleep is well ventilated, dark and, if possible, quiet, although some babies love the ritual of falling asleep to the sounds of e.g. white noise emitted by special toys.
Baby is sleepy but doesn't want to sleep? If he already has an extended diet, let's make sure to give him some an easily digestible dinner about 2-3 hours before bedtime. Avoid products rich in simple carbohydrates, e.g. juices, large amounts of fruit, which may make it difficult to calm down and fall asleep.
Remember that temporary difficulties in falling asleep occur in almost all children, but if parents feel concerned about their baby's unusual behavior, they should consult a pediatrician just in case.
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