Kelly Martin is a Certified Infant and Child Sleep Consultant and mother of three girls. She has a holistic and evidence-based approach to sleep, creating healthy sleep foundations from Birth to 4 years.

Newborn sleep is a hot topic amongst new mums and mums to be but what is actually realistic when it comes to newborn sleep?

We know overtired babies are cranky, unhappy, unsettled, fussy babies who often won't sleep when they need it and at times newborn tired signs can be subtle or hard to read. This is why being aware of our baby’s awake windows combined with tired signs is our best indicator.

A guide to awake times for babies from newborn to three months

• Birth - 3 weeks - 45 minutes
• 3-6 weeks - 45-60 minutes
• 6-9 weeks - 60-75 minutes
• 9-12 weeks - 75-90 minutes
• 3 months - 1.5-1.75 hours

Use the above awake times to guide your days and weeks ahead in the ‘fourth trimester'. This is the first 12 weeks of your baby's life in the outside world. They’re not set in stone and may vary +/- 15 minutes but you can use them in combination with the next point… signs of tiredness in newborns.

1. Redness around the eyebrows

Just like when you and I get tired, we might rub our eyes. Our little one’s eyes can become sore/tight and become a little red. Look for the little red "M" between their eyebrows as a tired cue.

2. Jerky body movements

Newborn movements are unpredictable as their little parasympathetic nervous system hasn't learned to relax through these motions. Watch your little one and notice their movements during their awake times and how they change towards the end of their awake period. Do their movements become more erratic?

3. Yawning

This can be a tricky tired sign. Some babies yawn after a good sleep or it can be a sign of boredom and needing a change of activity. Watch for yawning accompanied by other tired signs in order to recognise your newborn's unique combination.

4. Can't hold a gaze

For a newborn, their "play" is watching you. They observe you, watching your facial and body movements. When they are no longer able to maintain your gaze, they will turn away. This can be a sign of everything becoming too much for them and they are growing tired. They can also become over-stimulated and turn away, especially if a loving relative is being a little too in their face with loud noises and big facial expressions.

5. Grizzling and crying towards the end of the awake window

Crying is our newborn’s only way of communication, so this can also mean tired, hungry, bored, or overstimulated. It can be tricky and a little trial and error at the beginning.

Expert Tip: A good rule to determine whether your newborn is ready for sleep is to look for 3 tired signs over a 10 minute period in combination with age-appropriate awake times.

Kelly Martin