Modern Nurture
On Modern Nurture, we’ll look to experts in thought provoking interviews, we’ll look to our biology to unpack the instincts and processes we’ve forgotten in the modern era, and we’ll have heart to heart conversations with real moms from every background as we seek to build a community where every mother and mom-to-be can find relatability and support. I am really excited about a segment of this show, called moms on the ground, where we’ll play real stories and clips from audience members.
Modern Nurture
Why Pushing Sleep Backfires (Overtired vs. Overstimulated)
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Does bedtime turn into a battle even when your baby is clearly tired?
Many parents assume bedtime struggles mean their baby is overtired — so they push sleep earlier or try harder routines. But biologically, needing sleep and being able to fall asleep are not the same thing.
In this video, I explain why babies can look exhausted yet fight sleep, how overtired vs overstimulated states differ, and why pushing sleep can backfire by increasing nervous system activation.
You’ll learn:
- Why babies fight sleep even when tired
- The difference between sleep pressure and sleep readiness
- How overstimulation blocks sleep access in infants
- Why bedtime routines sometimes make crying worse
- What bedtime battles actually signal about a baby’s nervous system
This video is a biology-based explanation of infant sleep, nervous system regulation, and why many common baby sleep strategies fail — especially in the evening.
If your baby resists naps or bedtime, cries when you try to put them down, or seems tired but can’t settle, this framework will help you understand what’s really happening