So, you’ve finally cracked the code and got your little one mostly sleeping through the night (woohoo!), but now you’re dealing with the brand-new challenge of a 5am wake-up! Not exactly the start to the day you were hoping for, right? This blog will advise you how you can help manage those early morning wakings.
While 6 AM might not be our dream wake-up time, it’s generally the earliest we’d consider “morning.” But if your little one is up before that (or you’d love them to sleep a little longer), don’t worry—I’ve got you covered! Here are some tried-and-tested tips to help stretch out those mornings just a little bit more.
1. Give It Some Time
If your baby has only recently started sleeping through the night, those early wake-ups might just be part of the adjustment. Sometimes, it takes a couple of weeks for their little body clock to shift—so hang in there!
2. Check the Light Levels
Even the tiniest sliver of light creeping into the room can be enough to signal to your little one that it’s morning. Blackout blinds can work wonders, especially as the mornings get lighter!
3. Keep the Bedtime Feed Awake
If you’re still offering a bedtime feed, make sure it’s about 10-15 minutes before your baby goes into the cot. And most importantly, make sure they’re fully awake when they go down—no drowsy drifting off!
4. Keep Them Warm
Did you know our body temperature is at its lowest around 4 AM? If your little one is waking up chilly, that could be the reason they’re struggling to settle back down. Try an extra layer or a slightly warmer sleep sack to keep them cozy.
5. Try a Toddler Clock or Digital Clock Trick
From around 2 years old, toddlers can start to understand when it’s “morning” thanks to visual cues. A toddler specific clock or a digital clock with all numbers can be a brilliant tool. Set it to light up at 6 AM (no earlier!) and help your little one understand that it’s still sleep time until the clock changes. You can gradually move the time later once they’re used to it.
6. Block Out Any Noises
Is something waking them up? The heating clicking on? Bin lorries rumbling past? If you suspect outside noise is the culprit, a white noise machine can be a game-changer. Just make sure it’s actual white noise (no lullabies or nature sounds) and that it stays on all night.
7. Treat Pre-6 AM Wake-Ups Like the Middle of the Night
If they wake before 6 AM, keep things boring. No fun chats, no extra cuddles—just the same response you’d give if they woke at 2 AM. Keep them in their room until at least 6 AM so they learn that nothing exciting happens before then. If they get upset, check on them every 10 minutes but keep interactions minimal.
8. Counterintuitive But True: An Earlier Bedtime Might Help
It sounds wild, but an overtired baby is more likely to wake up early (not later!). If you suspect overtiredness is at play, try moving bedtime 30 minutes earlier (but not before 6 PM) and stick with it for a week to see if it helps.
Hang in There!
Early wake-ups can be frustrating, but with a little patience and consistency, they do get better! Try these tips, tweak things as needed, and before you know it, you’ll be enjoying slightly more reasonable wake-up times. (And maybe even a coffee before they’re up—imagine that!)
If it has been a few weeks and you have been following a little of the advise above but are still having early morning wake ups then please get in touch. Book a free, no obligation call and we can talk about working together to get you a better night’s sleep.
