Sleep
Early Morning Waking (5-6am)
Early morning waking: Baby consistently wakes 5-6am and won't go back to sleep, despite appropriate bedtime. Very common complaint in 6-12 month olds.
Causes: Bedtime too early or too late, morning light in room, hunger (if dropped night feeding too soon), overtiredness, developmental leaps, learned habit.
Biologically, lightest sleep occurs 4-6am (end of sleep cycle). Easier for baby to wake then vs. middle of night. Some babies are natural early risers.
What to Do
- Ensure room is VERY dark - even small light can trigger wake (blackout curtains essential)
- Try slightly later bedtime (30 min later) - counterintuitive but can help
- OR try slightly earlier bedtime if baby is overtired
- Make sure baby isn't hungry - may need to keep one night feeding longer
- Delay morning feeding by 15-30 min - don't immediately feed upon waking
- Don't rush in at first peep - give baby 10-15 min to see if they resettle
- Keep morning wake-up boring: dim lights, minimal interaction until desired wake time
- Use white noise to mask early morning sounds (birds, traffic, siblings)
- Be consistent with wake time - don't let baby sleep late some days
- Accept that some babies are natural early risers (genetics plays role)
- Gradually shift wake time later by 15 min every few days if trying to change
When to call a doctor
Early waking is frustrating but not a medical concern. Call doctor only if paired with other issues: extreme irritability, not napping well, refusing food, or other developmental concerns.