Top Culprits for Early Mornings

So, your baby is starting to wake up much earlier than they should be! Ahh, the dreaded early mornings. When it comes to sleep teaching, this is usually the last hurdle, and something that comes back here and there, even after they are sleeping great.

SO FIRST OF ALL, LET’S CLARIFY EARLY MORNINGS…

This would be anytime between 4-6 AM, or anything less than about 11 hours from their bedtime. It’s also important to remember that unless you have been experiencing early mornings consistently for 2 weeks or more, it is likely just a developmental progression/sleep regression. During developmental stages, our little ones can be so over excited about learning a particular skill that after they’ve had some decent sleep, they just want to practice in the morning, but cry out as they can’t do it in the crib and they want to start right away! If you think it’s just a part of your regression, continue with your daily routines and offer an early bedtime if needed.

If you’re experiencing a sleep regression, I actually have a FREE mini course for that!

DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE SLEEP REGRESSION MINI COURSE

FOR THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING EARLY WAKINGS FOR MORE THAN 2 WEEKS, HERE IS SOME VALUABLE INFORMATION AND TIPS TO HELP:

So first of all, let us talk about WHY! Listed below are the main culprits for early mornings wakings:

• Over-tiredness at bedtime

• Bedtime is too late in the evening

• Going to bed too drowsy

• Too much or too little daytime sleep (I know, it’s tricky lol).

• Bedroom is too bright in the morning

• Genuine hunger (some babies may hold on to their early morning milk feedings until 9-10 months old). 

Some less-common culprits include:

• Screen time

• A noise is waking them up from the early morning lighter sleep

• They’re waking up expecting something - bottle, breast etc. 

• They didn’t get their wiggles out the day before

• Bedroom is a little cold in the mornings

Be aware, these early mornings can take several weeks to resolve!

BUT WHAT IF MY BABY DOESN’T SEEM TO EVER SLEEP?

Well, that’s where I’m helpful! I work with families JUST LIKE YOU every single day.

If you haven’t already, sign up for my free night waking course below:

LOOKING FOR STEP-BY-STEP GUIDANCE AND ALL MY BEST TIPS FOR EARLY RISING?

The Early Wakings Guide is for you.

This guide includes sleep support to encourage later mornings from ages 0-4 years .You’ll get a detailed checklist to prevent those pesky early mornings, a plan for encouraging morning wake time between 6-8 AM, proven methods, tips and encouragement for great later mornings so you’ll never feel stuck wondering what to do next. Turn confused and overwhelmed about your baby’s early rising into feeling confident and ready to teach your little one healthy sleep practices.

This 70-page Early Wakings Guide helps you:

✦ CREATE A PLAN FOR THOSE 5 AM WAKE UPS!

✦ ENCOURAGE LATER MORNINGS (6-8 AM)

✦ FOCUS ON PREVENTION OF EARLY MORNINGS

✦ SPECIFIC TIPS FOR NEWBORN RESTLESSNESS, SQUIRMING, AND GRUNTING IN THE EARLY HOURS

✦ TODDLER FOCUSED TIPS SO YOU CAN CHANGE YOUR APPROACH AS THEY GROW!

✦ GET A SOLID GOLD PLAN IN PLACE FOR BETTER (AND LATER) MORNINGS

✦ FEEL CONFIDENT THAT YOU (AND YOUR BEBE) CAN SLEEP IN!!

Citations:

Mindell JA, Meltzer LJ, Carskadon MA, Chervin RD. Developmental aspects of sleep hygiene: findings from the 2004 National Sleep Foundation Sleep in America Poll. Sleep Med. 2009 Aug;10(7):771-9. doi: 10.1016/j.sleep.2008.07.016. Epub 2009 Mar 12. PMID: 19285450.