Early Morning Wake-Ups

Those early morning wake-ups can be so frustrating! When your little one is a newborn or young toddler, those early morning wake-ups are exhausting. You are NOT alone! Let's take a look at a few things and ensure all the details are in place to get you (and your little one) back to sleep. For even more info, check out the brand new module, specifically about early morning wake-ups in our online courses.

Those 4:30/5 AM early morning wake-ups seem to creep into the schedules once it feels like everything is in "place"! So let's take a look at what we CAN keep consistent and what is normal for early morning wake-ups.

Consistency is Key to Solving Early Morning Wake-Ups!

Make sure the basics of the Moms on Call routine are in place first.

• Routine:
  • Be sure to follow one of the Typical Day Routines outlined in the Moms on Call Books, Online Courses, & Scheduler App!
  • Make sure little is not napping too late in the evening - this can cause early morning wake-ups for some babies.
    • Take a look here for what signs to look for in moving up to the next schedule!
  • Be consistent with a bedtime routine.
• Sleep Environment:
  • Sound machine is in place and turned up loud!
    • White noise is reminiscent of the noise babies hear inside the womb.
      • The white noise machine should be kept 12-24 inches from the head of the crib.
      • It should be kept on all night long, turned up loud enough for you to hear on the other side of the door.
  • Dark Room
    • At night, the room should be pitch black. Blackout shades are wonderful for this! Sunlight can also cause early morning wake-ups.
  • Temperature
    • Babies sleep best in cooler temps! The room should be kept at a cool 68-72ºF.
  • Take a look here for more tips on creating the ideal sleep environment!

What Is Normal?

Here's what we've seen after talking with thousands of families.

• Typically little ones will wake about an hour before "get-up" time. This is what we all do. Toss and turn, scoot, look at your phone or clock (okay, your little one may not be looking at their phone just yet), whine, fuss, and doze again.

What Can You Do about Early Morning Wake-Ups?

• The MOC Hat Trick for early morning wake-ups
  • Right before YOU go to bed, turn off the sound machine for 10-20 seconds and then turn it right back on.
    • This will often disrupt the sleep cycles and get your little one to sleep another stretch in those early morning hours avoiding 5am early morning wake-ups.
• Be Intentional
  • At "wake-up" time, open the blinds and sing a "Good Morning" song to start the day! (At the start of the day, according to the schedule.)

The Reality of Early Morning Wake-Ups?

• Some kids are early risers! And that is OKAY!!
  • Give them the space and opportunity to figure it out and get back to sleep on their own, stretch, coo, etc.!
  • Here is when we "Practice the Pause." This can be key to early morning wake-ups.
• Additional tips for babies 12 weeks and under can be found in the Moms on Call Scheduler App. There are lots of babies with these early morning wake-ups - you are not alone!
• Over 12 weeks of age, we stay out and let them do the rest! (Pun intended, HA)!
• Before you know it, you will have a full-blown toddler and will be setting out their outfit the night before for those early morning wake-ups!
  • They can wake up, dress, and quietly play until "wake-up" time!
• You've got this!!