The Holistic Bub

The Holistic Bub Jessica Carroll - Nurse and Paediatric sleep consultant helping families get the sleep they deserve

18/06/2026

If your child looks exhausted at 5pm but suddenly turns into a tiny nightclub gremlin at bedtime, you are not imagining it.

Sometimes overtired children do not get calmer.

They get wired.

That “second wind” can happen when your child has pushed past their ideal sleep window and their body starts working extra hard to keep them going. Instead of looking sleepy, they may become silly, emotional, hyperactive, restless, rough, loud or suddenly very determined to do absolutely anything except sleep.

Before assuming they are “not tired yet”, it can help to look at what happened in the lead-up to bedtime.

A few things to check:

Were they already showing tired signs earlier?
Has bedtime slowly crept too late?
Have screens been used close to bedtime?
Was there rough play or lots of stimulation before bed?
Was the wind-down window long enough?
Have naps changed recently?
Did they have a big emotional day?

Wired does not always mean wide awake.

Sometimes it means their little body needed sleep earlier, but missed the window.

A calm, predictable wind-down and slightly earlier bedtime can make a big difference when overtiredness is part of the picture.

Your bedtime routine does not need to look perfect to be working. Green flags might include predictability, enough conne...
17/06/2026

Your bedtime routine does not need to look perfect to be working. Green flags might include predictability, enough connection, a child who knows what comes next, fewer surprises, a parent who can hold the routine without resentment, and a rhythm that feels realistic for your home.

17/06/2026

When the bedtime routine is complete but your child is still roaming the hallway like they pay the mortgage.
The cuddle happened.
The water happened.
The “quick question” happened.
The imaginary sore leg has been acknowledged.
Now we simply ask: why are you vertical?

15/06/2026

This can be such a painful one for tired mums. Your child settles for someone else, but with you, bedtime becomes harder, clingier or more emotional. That does not mean you are failing. Often, children bring their biggest feelings to the person who feels safest.

Tired behaviour is not always simple. Some children need sleep. Some need calm. Some need movement. Some need connection...
15/06/2026

Tired behaviour is not always simple. Some children need sleep. Some need calm. Some need movement. Some need connection. Some need less input, and some need more of the right kind of input. When we look underneath the behaviour, it becomes easier to know what kind of support they need.

14/06/2026

Am I right??! 😂🤦🏼‍♀️

12/06/2026

Rigid advice like “never feed to sleep” or “put them down drowsy but awake” can sound simple, but it often leaves new mums feeling like they have already ruined everything. Baby sleep is nuanced. Support, closeness and flexibility are not automatic problems.

“Just relax” is not always helpful bedtime advice.Some children cannot simply relax on command because their body does n...
10/06/2026

“Just relax” is not always helpful bedtime advice.

Some children cannot simply relax on command because their body does not know how to downshift yet.

They may not be trying to make bedtime difficult. Their body might still feel busy, their thoughts might still be racing, or their nervous system may need more support before stillness feels possible.

When a child struggles to relax at bedtime, it can be tempting to think they are resisting.

But some children need support to feel their body, organise their thoughts and transition into sleep.

Here are 4 supports that can help:

1. Deep pressure

Some children settle more easily with calming body input. This might look like a firm cuddle, a pillow squeeze, a gentle massage, heavy work before bed, or being tucked in firmly if they like that feeling.

Deep pressure can help some children feel more grounded before they are expected to lie still.

2. A predictable order

A clear routine can make bedtime feel safer and easier to follow.

For example:
Bath.
Pyjamas.
Teeth.
Books.
Cuddle.
Bed.

The routine does not need to be complicated. It just needs to be predictable enough that your child’s body starts to recognise the rhythm.

3. A sensory wind-down

Some children need a slower transition into sleep.

This might mean dimmer lights, quieter voices, fewer screens, calming music, gentle movement, a warm bath, or some heavy work before bed.

For some children, a little movement before stillness is more helpful than expecting them to go from busy to still instantly.

4. Fewer words

When a child is already tired or dysregulated, too much talking can make bedtime feel even harder.

Short, calm phrases often work better.
“It is time for your body to rest.”
“I will help you settle.”
“First cuddle, then bed.”

Calm is not always something children can access on command.

Sometimes they need predictability, sensory support, connection and lower demands to help their body move towards rest.

No one prepares you for how loud newborn sleep can be. The grunting. The snuffling. The squirming. The tiny goat noises....
10/06/2026

No one prepares you for how loud newborn sleep can be. The grunting. The snuffling. The squirming. The tiny goat noises. The full-body wriggling while somehow still asleep. New parents often lie there wondering if every sound needs a response. Sometimes babies are just noisy little sleepers.

Sleep support does not have to mean ignoring your instincts. It can look like understanding your child’s sleep needs, cr...
08/06/2026

Sleep support does not have to mean ignoring your instincts. It can look like understanding your child’s sleep needs, creating sustainable rhythms, supporting connection, adjusting timing and making gentle changes that fit your family. Support should feel like support. Not pressure.

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