How does over-tiredness work in children? It is believed that, a young child’s body may interpret being over-tired as a sign that there is a threat to be wary of. This may increase adrenaline, which contributes to hyper-vigilence and an inability to relax the body because it is in fight or flight mode. This instinctual response to being overtired is a part of all of us so that we will run from a threat, even if we are exhausted. Children’s bodies rely on signals to tell them what instincts to employ. The instinctual parts of a child’s brain may interpret over-tiredness as an indicator of a present threat; if a child is not asleep, when they are tired, it must be because they are fleeing a threat. This is why an over-tired child can sometimes seem like they have so much energy left to burn. They may have moved into a fight or flight mode as a result of being tired. As long as you support their needs, during this time, there is no risk to this instinct being triggered. It just makes getting to sleep harder, sometimes. J. Milburn Edited to add: Yes this is a common cause of late nights with toddlers. Some nights just don’t work out but there are things you can do to support them and survive these challenges. Get the Virtual Toddler Sleep Workshop all about the challenges and changes families cope with in toddlerhood. Link in bio @responsive_parenting #responsiveparenting #jmilburn #toddlersleep #naptime #hyperkidz #overtiredtoddler #overtiredbaby #overtiredkids #instincts #naturalinstincts #sleepsupport #parentingsupport #toddlersleephelp #toddlersleeptips #toddlerbedroom #toddlerbed #bigkidbed https://www.instagram.com/p/CVOmbGKsv0q/?utm_medium=tumblr









