Ashwin Lewis
There are many reasons why a 2-month-old baby might fight sleep. One reason could be that they are not tired enough due to shorter wake windows or a lack of active awake time. Another reason could be separation anxiety, which can cause a baby to feel uncomfortable when left alone. Developmental milestones, such as teething or learning to crawl, can also disrupt sleep patterns. Establishing a consistent and calming bedtime routine can help prepare your baby's brain and body for sleep, making it easier for them to settle down. It's important to be patient and consistent, as sleep habits can take time to establish. Additionally, ensuring that your baby is fed, dry, and safe before putting them down for sleep is crucial.
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What You'll Learn
They are overtired
Babies have a window during which they are primed to fall asleep. If you miss this window, they can become overtired, leading to irritability, fussing, and trouble settling down. Newborns can get overtired quickly, and when overtired, they often have a surge of cortisol and adrenaline, making it more likely that they will fight sleep.
To prevent overtiredness, follow your newborn's sleepy cues and "wake windows," or the amount of time your baby can handle being awake at a stretch. A 1-month-old, for instance, can be awake for about an hour at a time, and a 3-month-old can be awake for up to two hours. If you miss your baby's window for sleep, they may become overtired and fight sleep.
Babies thrive on routine, so it's important to learn your baby's natural sleep patterns and stick to a schedule. A solid bedtime routine will help your baby cry less and sleep more. Try to avoid stimulating activities at least an hour before bedtime. This includes bright lights, screens, beeping toys, or crying spells, all of which can be too much for your baby to handle, resulting in overstimulation and the urge to fight sleep.
If your baby is overtired, it's okay to provide extra support to help them get the sleep they need. Make sure your baby is getting enough feeds within a 24-hour period. Newborns will typically feed on demand every 2 to 3 hours. As your baby grows, the time between feedings will increase.
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They are overstimulated
A 2-month-old baby might fight sleep due to overstimulation. Overstimulation can be caused by several factors, such as:
- Too much activity or playtime: Bright lights, loud noises, toys, and other activities can overstimulate a baby, making it challenging for them to settle down at night. It is important to provide a quiet and calm environment for the baby, reducing stimulation at least an hour before bedtime.
- Crowds and new people: Having too many people around or being in a new environment can be overwhelming for a young baby, leading to overstimulation.
- Noisy toys and screens: Beeping toys, loud music, and exposure to screens can be stimulating and disrupt sleep patterns.
- Milestones and development: As your baby reaches new milestones, such as sitting up, crawling, or walking, they may be excited to practice these new skills and fight sleep. It is important to provide ample playtime during the day to help them expend their energy and settle down in the evening.
- Teething: Teething can start as early as three months, and the discomfort and pain can cause a baby to fight sleep.
- Separation anxiety: While this usually occurs around 8-18 months, some babies may experience it earlier. They may fight sleep because they don't want to be separated from their primary caregiver.
To help a 2-month-old baby who is fighting sleep due to overstimulation, you can try to create a consistent and calming bedtime routine. This may include activities such as a diaper change, putting on a sleep sack, singing a song, using a sound machine, and ensuring the room is dark. It is also important to watch for sleep cues and put your baby to bed within minutes of noticing these cues to avoid them becoming overtired.
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They are teething
Teething can be a reason why a 2-month-old baby fights sleep. While most infants start to cut teeth around 6 months of age, it can happen as early as 4 months. The 24-72 hours before a tooth erupts is typically the most uncomfortable for the baby. Teething pain can cause a baby to wail and fight sleep. If your baby is struggling with pain, you can do what is necessary to soothe them. It is always okay to comfort your baby while they are in pain. However, if your baby's sleep struggles are lasting for weeks instead of days, this is rarely associated with teething. Once the tooth pops through the gums, sleep will return to normal quickly.
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They are not tired enough
A 2-month-old baby's sleep schedule is still maturing, so how and when they sleep is erratic. They might be fighting sleep because they are not tired enough. This could be due to a variety of factors, such as:
- The baby had a longer nap than usual during the day.
- The baby is growing and developing, and their sleep needs are changing. As they get older, they may not need as much sleep as they used to. For example, babies between 1 and 2 years old sleep 11 to 14 hours, whereas when they were younger, they logged 12 to 16 hours.
- The baby is not getting enough active awake time or mental stimulation and physical activity during the day.
- The baby is experiencing day-night confusion, where they are very sleepy during the day and not tired enough at bedtime.
- The baby is getting too much daytime sleep, making it harder to fall asleep at night.
- The baby is overstimulated by their environment, such as noisy toys, loud music, or exciting play, which can leave them feeling overwhelmed and unable to calm down for sleep.
- The baby is craving more stimulation and a change of scenery, which can be provided by taking them outside or exposing them to new sensory experiences.
If you think your baby is fighting sleep because they are not tired, you can try shifting their bedtime later or dropping a nap. It is important to know the signs of when to drop a nap, as babies drop multiple naps throughout their first year of life. You can also try extending their wake windows, which refers to the amount of time your baby can handle being awake at a stretch. A 1-month-old can be awake for about an hour at a time, while a 3-month-old can go for up to two hours.
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They are experiencing separation anxiety
Separation anxiety can be a reason why a 2-month-old baby fights sleep. While separation anxiety typically begins around six months, it can occur anytime from four months onwards. It is important to note that every baby is unique, and there is no fixed timeline for the onset of separation anxiety.
Separation anxiety can cause your baby to become distressed when you are out of sight. They may cry when you leave the room or become fussier than usual. During this time, your baby may only settle down for sleep if you are holding them. As your baby grows and experiences new things, they may cling to you as their primary source of comfort and security.
To help your baby through this phase, consistency in your sleep approach is crucial. A consistent and calming bedtime routine can help prepare your baby's brain and body for sleep. This routine can include simple steps such as a diaper change, putting on a sleep sack, singing a song, turning on a sound machine, and ensuring the room is dark before laying your baby in the crib awake.
Additionally, teaching your baby about separation in small increments can be beneficial. You can start by leaving the room for a few seconds at a time, gradually increasing the duration. This practice helps your baby understand that even when you're out of sight, you always come back. It is also important to provide your baby with opportunities to practice their milestones during the day, reducing the urge to practice them at night, which can disrupt sleep.
Remember, separation anxiety is a normal part of your baby's development. By maintaining consistency, providing comfort, and gradually teaching your baby about separation, you can help them navigate through this phase and improve their sleep habits.
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