As a sleep coach, you may have encountered this question from clients: Whats wrong with sleep schedules?? You’ve likely wondered yourself: Is there a more natural approach that balances a baby’s biological needs with a parent’s desire for optimal sleep? These are great questions, especially when working with families who feel trapped in rigid sleep routines that simply aren’t working.
The truth is, many sleep schedules fail because they overlook sleep pressure. But what is sleep pressure, and why is it important for baby sleep? By understanding sleep pressure, you can offer your clients a more flexible, responsive approach, freeing them from the stress of trying to fit their baby into a one-size-fits-all schedule.
In this post, we’ll explore how to use sleep pressure to help families experience peaceful bedtimes and naps without the struggles of strict schedules. Whether you’re a new sleep coach looking to add more tools to your toolkit, or a parent seeking alternatives to conventional methods, you’ll find actionable insights here that are rooted in a holistic, evidence-based approach to sleep.
Want to learn more?
If you prefer a detailed, step-by-step explanation, be sure to watch the full YouTube video here where I break down these concepts in greater detail.
Table of Contents
- What is Sleep Pressure?
- How Does Activity Affect My Baby’s Sleep?
- Why Don’t Strict Sleep Schedules Work for Most Babies?
- What Can I Do If My Baby Needs More Predictability?
- How Can I Support My Clients Using Sleep Pressure?
- FAQs on Sleep Pressure and Baby Sleep
What is Sleep Pressure?
You’ve probably heard of circadian rhythms, but have you considered sleep pressure?
Sleep pressure builds up over the course of the day—the longer someone is awake, the stronger the pressure becomes. As this pressure increases, it eventually makes sleep inevitable. But why does this happen? Sleep pressure is linked to activity and energy use. Even when resting, the body uses energy, which leads to a build-up of a chemical called adenosine. This is what causes the feeling of sleepiness. During sleep, the brain clears away the adenosine, allowing us to wake up refreshed.
How Does Activity Affect My Baby’s Sleep?
How do a baby’s activities during the day impact their sleep at night?
Every time a child engages in physical or mental activity—whether it’s tummy time, learning a new skill, or just playing—they’re using energy. The more active they are, the more adenosine builds up, increasing their sleep pressure. This is why babies often sleep so well after a day filled with physical and mental stimulation.
As a sleep coach, this is an important concept to share with your clients. Understanding how daily activities contribute to sleep pressure will help them create more effective, flexible sleep routines for their babies.
Why Don’t Strict Sleep Schedules Work for Most Babies?
Why won’t a strict sleep schedule work for every baby?
The problem with rigid sleep schedules is that they don’t take into account the natural fluctuations in a baby’s daily activity and energy use. Every day is different—some days are more physically or mentally stimulating, while others are quieter. Factors like growth, digestion, development, or unexpected events also affect how much sleep pressure a child accumulates, making it unrealistic to expect them to follow the same schedule day after day.
For the families you work with, this unpredictability can be frustrating, but it’s an opportunity for you to introduce a more adaptable, responsive approach that aligns with their baby’s unique needs.
What Can I Do If My Baby Needs More Predictability?
What can you suggest to clients who crave more predictability in their baby’s sleep routine?
While strict schedules don’t suit most babies, you can still help your clients by offering a flexible structure. For example, focus on the total hours of sleep their baby needs over 24 hours, rather than sticking to rigid wake windows. Teach them to look for sleep cues—which are individual to each child—so they can respond to their baby’s natural rhythms rather than relying on the clock.
For clients who struggle to recognize these cues, suggest using broader timing signals, such as aiming for a nap “after lunch” or establishing a calming bedtime routine, rather than setting exact times.
How Can I Support My Clients Using Sleep Pressure?
As a sleep coach, your goal is to empower your clients with flexible strategies that work with their baby’s natural sleep needs. Here are five actionable ways to use sleep pressure to help your clients:
- Teach them about sleep pressure and how it changes day-to-day based on activity levels.
- Be mindful of their baby’s activity level throughout the day to help predict when sleep will come more easily.
- Combine sleep pressure with calming techniques to create a bedtime routine that helps babies transition into sleep naturally.
- Promote flexibility—remind parents that it’s okay for sleep patterns to change and that rigid schedules aren’t necessary.
- Encourage age-appropriate activities during the day to build up sleep pressure, ensuring their baby is tired enough to sleep at night.
By guiding families to embrace flexibility and understand sleep pressure, you can help them achieve calmer, more predictable sleep patterns without the stress of following a strict routine.
Want to explore more evidence-based strategies for gentle sleep support?
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Book A CallFAQs for Sleep Consultants: Sleep Pressure and Flexible Sleep Solutions for Babies
How does sleep pressure differ from a sleep schedule?
Unlike strict sleep schedules, sleep pressure varies day by day depending on a baby’s activity level and energy use. Sleep schedules are rigid, while sleep pressure adapts to daily changes.
Why don’t sleep schedules work for every baby?
Sleep schedules don’t consider the natural variability in a baby’s daily activity and energy use, making them ineffective for most babies who need a more flexible approach.
How can parents tell when their baby has enough sleep pressure?
You can guide parents to look for signs like yawning, rubbing eyes, and a general slowdown in activity. These cues mean the baby’s sleep pressure has built up and they’re ready for sleep.
Can families still have a routine without a strict sleep schedule?
Yes! Encourage parents to follow a flexible routine by paying attention to their baby’s natural sleep cues and daily activity levels instead of adhering to fixed wake windows.
What activities help build sleep pressure in babies?
Age-appropriate physical play, mental stimulation, and regular engagement throughout the day all help increase sleep pressure, making it easier for the baby to fall asleep at bedtime.
Why do babies sleep better after physical activity?
Physical activity uses energy and increases sleep pressure. The more energy the baby uses, the more sleep pressure builds up, leading to deeper, more restful sleep.
How can families support their baby’s sleep without a schedule?
Focus on creating a calming environment, observing the baby’s sleep cues, and allowing sleep pressure to guide nap and bedtime naturally.
Is it possible to teach a baby to sleep?
You can’t teach a baby to fall asleep on demand. Sleep happens naturally as a response to built-up sleep pressure and cannot be “taught” like other behaviors.
How can parents help their baby sleep longer at night?
Ensure the baby gets enough mental and physical activity during the day to build up sleep pressure, and maintain a calming bedtime routine that supports relaxation.
