If you’re a parent, you’ve likely experienced the frustration of trying to get your child to fall asleep when they are clearly tired. It can be an exhausting and emotionally draining experience for both the parent and the child. So why won’t your child fall asleep when they are tired? Let’s explore some possible reasons.

Sleep Personality

Just like adults, children have different sleep personalities. Some children are laid-back and can handle more stimulation, while others are more intense and need a calm environment to fall asleep. It’s important to understand your child’s sleep personality and adjust your sleep routine accordingly. For example, if your child has an intense sleep personality, they may need a quiet and dark environment to fall asleep. You can take my sleep personality quiz HERE.

Overstimulation

Overstimulation can make it difficult for children to fall asleep. This can occur when a child’s brain is overwhelmed with interaction, play, and learning. While a certain level of stimulation is necessary for a child to learn and develop, it’s important to monitor their level of stimulation leading up to naptime or bedtime. Excessive screen time or high-intensity activities may need to be avoided in the hours leading up to sleep.

Overtiredness

Being overtired can actually make it harder for a child to fall asleep. When a child is overtired, their body releases cortisol, which can make it difficult to relax and fall asleep. It’s important to ensure that your child is getting enough sleep during the day and not going too long between naps, depending on their age.

Under-Tiredness

On the other hand, being under-tired can also make it difficult for a child to fall asleep. If they haven’t had enough stimulation or activity during the day, they may not be tired enough to fall asleep. It’s important to evaluate your child’s activity level during the day to ensure they are getting enough exercise and stimulation to promote quality sleep.

Fighting Sleep

Sometimes, it’s impossible to avoid children fighting sleep. Children may get angry or upset, and falling asleep may take a long time. If your child has been fighting sleep for over 20 minutes, it’s best to stop trying to get them to sleep. In fact, if children start fighting sleep, they may forget why they are fighting and it may become even harder to get them to sleep.

What You Can Do

It’s important to establish a consistent sleep routine for your child. This routine should include calming activities such as reading or listening to calming music. You can also try a “walking wind down” where you walk slowly and rhythmically for up to 10 minutes to help your child de-stimulate before naptime or bedtime. Finally, if your child just won’t fall asleep, it’s sometimes best to take a break and restart the routine when they are ready.

Understanding why your child won’t fall asleep when they are tired can be a challenging task for parents. However, by taking into account factors such as sleep personalities, overstimulation, overtiredness, under-tiredness, and fighting sleep, you can adjust your sleep routine to better suit your child’s needs. Remember to establish a consistent sleep routine, including calming activities, to promote quality sleep for your child.