How to Stop Your Baby from Waking Up Too Early
Babies Waking Up Early
Babies tend to start their day early – it’s just how their internal clocks work. Typically, babies wake up between 6 a.m. and 7:30 a.m., and this time is usually consistent. However, if your baby consistently wakes up before 6 a.m., that's considered too early. The good news is, this early wake-up time can often be adjusted with a few simple changes to their schedule or environment.
If you’re hoping to help your baby sleep later in the morning or avoid those super early mornings, keep reading for our tried-and-true tips on how to stop your baby from waking up too early.
Why Do Babies Wake Up So Early?
A baby’s circadian rhythm naturally makes them wake up earlier than adults. Waking up between 6 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. is normal. Before they turn 4 months old and their circadian rhythm matures, their sleep schedule can be quite unpredictable.
If your baby is waking up earlier than 6 a.m., there might be a specific reason that can be addressed. Possible reasons for early wake-ups include:
Overtiredness: If your baby is too tired, it can actually make it harder for them to sleep. Overtiredness can disrupt their natural sleep rhythms and prevent them from syncing their body and mind to fall asleep. It also affects their sleep cycles, making it more common for them to wake up early and be unable to fall back asleep.
Sleep Regression: Rapid growth and learning new skills, like rolling over, can disrupt sleep and lead to temporary sleep regressions. While challenging, sleep regression is a sign of development and should be celebrated.
Illness: Sometimes your baby might wake up early if they have a cold or tummy troubles like acid reflux. If your baby seems healthy but still wakes up early, consult your pediatrician to rule out any underlying conditions.
Nap Schedule: Too much daytime sleep can lead to early wake-ups. Adjusting their nap schedule by shortening naps or transitioning to fewer naps can help sync their sleep and lead to later wake-ups.
Growth Spurts: Even if your baby usually sleeps well, growth spurts can cause sudden night waking due to hunger. These spurts usually last a few days, after which your baby’s sleep should return to normal.
The Smart Sleep Coach by Pampers™ app is used by thousands of parents to stop early wake-ups and get their baby’s sleep back on track. The app recommends nap times and bedtimes to sync their sleep to their natural rhythm, helping manage early rising and getting your mornings back on track.
What to Do if Your Baby Wakes Up Before 6 a.m.?
If your baby is waking up too early, take this free 3-minute sleep quiz to see what tweaks you can make to their sleep environment or schedule to get them sleeping past sunrise.
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Expert Tips to Prevent Early Wake Ups
Creating a Dark Sleep Space
If your baby wakes too early, the early morning sun might be to blame. Invest in blackout curtains to keep the room dark and maintain an ideal sleeping temperature.
Adjusting Naps
If your baby suddenly starts waking earlier without any changes to their routine, they might be getting too much daytime sleep. It might be time to drop a nap or shorten the afternoon nap to extend their wake window before bed.
Tracking Wake Windows
The periods between sleep times are known as wake windows. If your baby stays awake longer than their recommended wake window, they may become overtired, leading to early wake-ups. To maintain healthy sleep patterns, track their wake windows in the Smart Sleep Coach app. The Smart Schedule will notify you when it’s time to put your baby to sleep, helping them fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.
Opting for an Earlier Bedtime
Putting your baby to bed later usually won’t make them sleep longer in the morning. In fact, it can make them overtired and cause them to wake up even earlier. An earlier bedtime helps reset their internal sleep clock.
Make “Good Morning” Stand Out
If your baby wakes up early, treat it as a night waking: keep lights low, speak softly, and avoid cuddling. Reserve your joyful “good morning” and morning routine for the usual wake time. This helps your baby understand that an earlier wake-up isn’t the official start of the day.
Dream Feeding
If your baby still feeds during the night, consider a dream feed to prevent early morning wake-ups. This involves gently waking your baby and feeding them while they’re drowsy. If your baby is hungry, they will latch on without fully waking up.
Bonus Tip for Toddlers and Preschoolers
If your toddler or preschooler wakes up too early, try using a wake clock that shows them with colors or shapes (like the sun and moon) when it's time to wake up and when it’s time to sleep. Visual cues can help them stick to their sleep schedule.
How Long Will Early Wake-Ups Last?
Remember, early rising for your baby is normal, natural, and often temporary. While it can be tiring, especially if you’re getting up early with your baby, it’s also a sign that your baby is growing and developing.
The key to stopping your baby from waking up too early is consistency and patience. Tracking your baby’s wake windows in the Smart Sleep Coach and following its sleep schedule recommendations is a great first step. Sleep training your baby can also help them sleep until the desired time.
FAQS AT A GLANCE
Once your baby’s circadian rhythm starts to develop, it’s normal for them to wake up between 6 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. Before this, their schedule can be less predictable.
Conclusion
It’s exhausting when your baby wakes up before 6 a.m., but remember, early wakeups are usually temporary and solvable!
If you’re struggling with early wakeups, try tracking your baby’s wake windows using the Smart Sleep Coach app and see if small tweaks to their schedule can realign their sleep cycles. Other changes to their sleep environment can also help. More formal sleep training can be another option to help your baby sleep later or get on a structured sleep schedule.
How We Wrote This Article The information in this article is based on expert advice from trusted medical and government sources, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Always consult medical professionals for full diagnosis and treatment.
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