why is my baby waking early?
Understanding Early Waking and How to Help Your Little One Sleep Later
If your baby is consistently starting the day before 6:00am, you’re not alone — and no, you haven’t done anything wrong. Early waking is one of the most common sleep challenges I support families with, and the good news is that things canimprove.
Let’s take a look at why early waking happens, what the key to shifting it really is, and gentle ways you can help your baby (and you!) enjoy a more restful morning.
what is early waking?
Early waking typically refers to your baby or toddler starting their day before 6am, and being fully awake — ready to play, chat or start the day — rather than resettling. While some early mornings are inevitable (hello, illness or developmental progressions), if it’s happening consistently, it might be time to take a closer look.
There’s no single cause — often it’s a mix of things. That’s why personalised support can make such a difference, and it’s exactly what we offer at Restful Sleepers.
common reasons for early waking
Understanding the “why” is the first step to solving early starts. Here are some of the most common culprits:
Overtiredness: A baby who’s overtired at bedtime is more likely to wake early and struggle to resettle.
Daytime routine: If naps are too long or too late, your baby might not be tired enough to sleep through the early hours.
Under-tiredness: On the flip side, not enough awake time during the day can also lead to early waking.
Sleep environment: Even small changes in light, temperature, or noise can lead to early rises.
Habitual waking: Sometimes, early waking becomes a learned habit—and our body clocks are very good at sticking to routine!
Hunger: Particularly for younger babies, early waking can sometimes be linked to genuine hunger, especially if they're going through a growth spurt.
the key to changing the day start time
The most important thing to understand is this:
Early waking is a symptom, not a schedule.
That 5:15am wake-up might feel like the new normal, but it doesn’t have to be. The key to shifting early waking is looking at the whole sleep puzzle—day naps, awake windows, bedtime, and sleep associations — not just those early hours.
Consistency is crucial, as is giving your baby time to adjust. With the right tweaks and a little patience, things can shift. Often, it’s not about doing more—it’s about doing things slightly differently.
ways to change early waking
Here are some gentle, practical steps to help encourage later starts:
Tweak Bedtime (Carefully):
A slightly earlier bedtime can actually help prevent overtiredness and lead to later mornings—yes, really!Review Naps and Awake Windows:
Make sure your baby is getting the right amount of sleep during the day, and enough awake time before bed.Keep It Dark and Quiet:
Use blackout blinds and white noise to help your baby stay in sleep mode until a more reasonable time.Avoid Reinforcing the Wake-Up:
If your baby is waking at 5:30am and you’re starting the day then, their body clock learns that’s morning. Try to keep lights dim and interactions low-key until 6am or later.Gradual Resettling:
For babies over 6 months, consider responsive settling techniques to help them learn to resettle at that early hour without needing a full feed or playtime.Wait to Feed (if appropriate):
Delaying the morning feed by even 10–15 minutes over a few days can help push the wake-up time later, if hunger isn’t the primary cause.
you’re not failing — and you’re not alone
If early mornings are leaving you exhausted and frustrated, please know this: it’s not your fault, and you can make changes that lead to better mornings.
At Restful Sleepers, we offer gentle, responsive sleep support tailored to your baby and your parenting style. Whether you need a plan, reassurance, or someone to guide you step-by-step, I’m here to help.
You don’t have to figure this out alone — and you deserve a more rested start to the day.
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