Awake Time, Newborn, Sleep

“Should I wake my baby?” — Let’s talk sleep, cortisol & daytime naps 

I’m often asked about waking babies from naps… and my answer is usually the same:

👉 Unless they are newborns with day/night confusion — or older toddlers partying all night and sleeping all day — I generally don’t recommend waking little ones from sleep.

Why? Because early morning waking and unsettled nights are often linked to daytime sleep patterns. Cutting naps short can lead to overtiredness — and overtired babies rarely sleep better.

✨ Let’s talk cortisol…
Cortisol is our “wake-up” hormone. When babies become overtired or sleep-deprived, cortisol levels rise to give them a burst of energy so they can keep going. The tricky part? High cortisol can make it harder to fall asleep, lead to restless sleep and contribute to early morning waking.

We’ve all felt this as adults — you’re exhausted after a long day, but suddenly you feel wired and can’t switch off. Babies are no different.

After we fall asleep, cortisol levels drop and then slowly rise again through the night. If a baby goes to bed overtired, cortisol can stay elevated — which may lead to frequent waking or very early starts to the day.

✨ Understanding sleep windows matters
Our bodies naturally produce melatonin when we’re ready for sleep. If that window is missed, cortisol kicks in to keep us awake — often showing up as a sudden burst of energy after tired signs.

This is why:
• Waking a baby too early from naps can increase overtiredness
• The next nap isn’t guaranteed to improve because cortisol is already elevated

Watch your baby
Learning your little one’s tired cues helps you catch that sleep window before overtiredness sets in.

Common tired signs include:
• Yawning
• Jerky arm or leg movements
• Mood changes or grizzling
• Staring into space
• Clenched fists
• Eye rubbing or face scratching
• Burying their face into your chest
• Becoming less coordinated

✨ Overtired signs that are often missed:
• Waking after one sleep cycle (around 45 mins)
• Frequent short power naps
• Early morning wakes (3–5am)
• Falling asleep instantly when held or feeding
• Good sleep early in the night followed by constant waking
• Crying when starting the bedtime routine

Once you notice tired signs — or even feel they’re approaching — begin your wind-down. A slower, longer wind-down can often help babies settle more easily.

Sometimes the most supportive thing we can do… is simply let them sleep

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