If you have not already done so, please read Blog Posts 1 through 5 that describe how sleep is important and beneficial. I will post specific information for parents and children based on my book, “Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child.” Please do not be put off by my book’s length. This is a reference book. Read only the topic of interest to you.
When an adult or child is alert, there are no signs of drowsiness. Drowsiness in adults and infants/toddlers is similar but not identical (Blog Post 83 and 115X). Drowsiness in adults is described below by Professor Uchiyama. Think of ‘Not Drowsy’ as ‘Alert’.
In children, as pre-sleep arousal develops, you will see Fatigue signs (Blog Post 204)
Adult Drowsiness
Description of Drowsiness
Typical observed behavior-Observer rating of drowsiness
Not drowsy = Alert
Fast and frequent eye movements [Saccades are rapid, jerky eye movements that shift the gaze from one point to another.]
Frequent body movements
Eyeblinks with fast eyelid movements
Active body movements
Slightly drowsy
Slow saccadic eye movements
Lips open
Infrequent eye movements [staring]
Drooping eyelids
Moderately drowsy
Frequent slow blinks
Mouth movement
Sitting movement change [restless, fidgeting]
Touching face
Frequent eye blinks
Less than half obscured pupils [eyelids drooping]
Yawning
Tired complexion
Very drowsy
Voluntary eye blinks
Frequent yawning and deep breathing
Unnecessary body movements such as shaking head up and down, movement of the shoulders, etc. [nodding]
Slow blinking and slow eye movements
Staring blankly at a single point
Inability to focus
More than half obscured pupils [eyelids drooping]
Extremely drowsy
Closed eyes
Forward tilted head
Backward tilted head
Body posture changes: Leans forward, chin dips and then jerks up
Infant/Toddler Drowsiness. (Blog Post 83 and video on Blog Post 115X)
As your young child enters the drowsy period, your child begins to move away from an alert, engaging, calm, and relaxed state. These behaviors are most noticeable when your child is in a quiet and relaxed environment, for example, when being read to. These behaviors might be absent when you anticipate a sleep time from past experiences and soothe your baby to sleep at a clock time that is in synch with the brains sleep output. These behaviors might be present but not be noticed if you are distracted by looking at a digital screen or on a phone call. These behaviors might be “masked” if your child becomes hyperalert in a stimulating environment as a busy mall or when placed in front of a television or screen-based media device.
Slightly Drowsy
Appears less animated but is calm and relaxed
Becomes quieter
Appears less interested in toys or people
Sucking strength is weaker or slower
Yawning
Moderately Drowsy
Lips open
Changes in the eyes:
Try to begin soothing to sleep before you notice changes in the eyes.
Pay close attention to the eyes and eyelids as she transitions from mild to deeper drowsiness to almost a sleep state:
Eyes become less focused on surroundings, eyes appear glazed over, staring, or not as sparkling.
She may seem to look “through you” and not socially “at you.”
Eyelids drooping, eyelids come down slowly, or long blinks.
Staring blankly at a single point, inability to focus or infrequent eye movements.
Fatigue Signs (Pre-sleep arousal, Blog Post 204). Fatigue signs occur when your child is over-tired or short on sleep. Fatigue signs occur as your child is becoming overtired, moving toward an irritable or tense state:
Appears restless or hyper
Rubbing the eyes.
Less able to entertain himself.
Less cooperative.
Drooping of the head.
Slightly “wired”.
Pulling the ears.
Mild fussiness, irritability, moodiness, whining, crying, cranky, clingy, peevish.
Easily upset, frustrated, short-fused, rough around the edges.
Restless, fidgety: sitting movements change.
Unnecessary body movements such as shaking head up and down or movements of the shoulders.
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