We’ve all been there—you see your baby yawn, and you think, “Okay, bedtime!” But here’s the truth: by the time your baby is yawning, they could already be overtired.
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Babies give us lots of little hints that they’re ready for sleep before the big yawn shows up. These are the cues to look for:
✨ Zoning out – Suddenly less interested in toys or you.
✨ Turning their head away – Avoiding eye contact or turning away from stimulation.
✨ Rubbing eyes or ears – A classic, but it usually comes a bit late.
✨ Quieting down – Your usually chatty baby gets calm and still.
Catching these early cues means you can get your baby down before they cross into overtired territory. And trust me—an overtired baby fights sleep much harder.
The takeaway? Don’t wait for yawns. Watch for those earlier, quieter signs, and you’ll make bedtime (and naps) so much smoother.
And if you’re feeling stuck, remember—you don’t have to figure it all out on your own. That’s what I’m here for.
