Being overtired makes kids wired! The Sleep in America poll found that overtired children take almost 20% longer to fall asleep. While that’s true, infants who go to bed too early put up good fight at bedtime as well.

To end the nightly struggle, you’ll want to figure out your baby’s ideal bedtime.

What Time Should Babies Go to Sleep? 

The average 3-month-old’s bedtime is around 9:30 p.m. Yet, as infants get older their bedtime gets earlier, dropping to 8:30 p.m. …and earlier.

Researchers found that infants who went to bed before 9 p.m. slept significantly longer overall (13 hours) than those who went down after 9 p.m. (11.8 hours).

Most babies doze off easily and sleep longer when they’re laid down before they get tired and bug-eyed. But if you push for a bedtime that’s too early, your little buddy just may not be tired. Yup, you’re walking a real fine line here!

 Clues Bedtime Is Too Early

  • He fights falling asleep for 30 to 60 minutes.
  • He shows no sign of fatigue at bedtime.
  • He wakes up in the middle of the night or very early the next day, refreshed and raring to go.

The solution: Try pushing your routine 15 minutes later every 2 to 3 nights to nail the right bedtime.

Clues Bedtime Is Too Late 

  • She fights falling asleep for 30 to 60 minutes.
  • She’s moody and irritable and falls asleep during the day in the car or stroller.
  • She takes naps over 2 hours long.
  • She’s clearly overtired at bedtime (rubbing her eyes, blinking, yawning, cranky).

The solution: Try starting the bedtime drill 15 minutes earlier every 2 to 3 nights to settle on the time.

Good luck! With these approaches, your  bedtime battles should end within 1-2 weeks.

Did you know? SNOO Smart Sleeper is the safest baby bed ever made! It helps stretch babies’ sleep longer (which means the whole family sleeps more).

About Dr. Harvey Karp

Dr. Harvey Karp, one of America’s most trusted pediatricians, is the founder of Happiest Baby and the inventor of the groundbreaking SNOO Smart Sleeper. After years of treating patients in Los Angeles, Dr. Karp vaulted to global prominence with the release of the bestselling Happiest Baby on the Block and Happiest Toddler on the Block. His celebrated books and videos have since become standard pediatric practice, translated into more than 20 languages and have helped millions of parents. Dr. Karp’s landmark methods, including the 5 S’s for soothing babies, guide parents to understand and nurture their children and relieve stressful issues, like new-parent exhaustion, infant crying, and toddler tantrums.

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Disclaimer: The information on our site is NOT medical advice for any specific person or condition. It is only meant as general information. If you have any medical questions and concerns about your child or yourself, please contact your health provider.