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 can feel so 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!

Those 4:30/5 AM wakes-up 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!

Consistency is Key!

• 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.
    • 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!
  • 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?

• 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?

• The MOC Hat Trick
  • 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. 
• Be Intentional
  • When getting up at “get-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?

• 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.”
• Additional tips for babies 12 weeks and under can be found in the Moms on Call Scheduler APP, in the Typical Day Schedule, under “Special.”
• 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 mornings!
  • They can wake up, dress, and quietly play until “wake-up” time!
• You’ve got this!!