Early Morning Waking: 6 Reasons Your Baby is Up Before 6 AM
- Nicole Jayawickreme
- Apr 11
- 3 min read
Updated: Jun 15
Few things are more exhausting than those early morning wakes at the crack of dawn by your little one. If your baby is consistently waking before 6 AM, you’re not alone! The good news? There’s usually a reason behind these early wake-ups—and solutions to help.
Here are six common reasons your baby might be starting their day way too early:
1. Bedtime is Too Early or Too Late
A bedtime that’s too early may cause your baby to wake up fully rested at an undesirable hour. On the flip side, an overtired baby from a bedtime that’s too late can also struggle with early waking due to increased cortisol levels. Finding the right bedtime based on their age and sleep needs is key!
2. Awake Windows Are Off
If your baby isn’t getting the right balance of awake time during the day, they may not build up enough sleep pressure for a full night’s rest. Adjusting wake windows and ensuring appropriate nap lengths can help prevent early morning wake-ups.
3. Too Much (or Too Little) Daytime Sleep
If your baby is napping too much during the day, they might not need as much sleep at night—leading to early wake-ups. On the other hand, insufficient daytime sleep can cause overtiredness, making it harder to sleep in the morning. Finding the right balance is crucial.
4. External Factors (Light, Noise, Temperature)
Is sunlight creeping in through the blinds? Is the neighbour’s dog barking at 5 AM? Babies can be sensitive sleepers, so even the smallest environmental changes can cause them to wake too early. Blackout blinds or a darkened room, consistent white noise in the background and maintaining a comfortable room temperature can all help.
5. Hunger
Younger babies (especially under 6 months) may still need a night feed or two, and hunger could be waking them early. If they’re waking at the same time each morning and seem genuinely hungry then you'll need to offer them a feed. This is very normal for younger babies and will settle as they grow.
6. Sleep Associations & Habitual Waking
If your baby has developed a habit of waking at the same time every morning, they might have a sleep association that’s reinforcing the pattern. If they’re used to being picked up, fed, or rocked at 5 AM, they may continue to wake at that time expecting the same response. Gradually helping them learn to resettle on their own can improve morning wake-ups.
How to Fix Early Morning Waking
✅ Adjust bedtime based on wake windows and total sleep needs
✅ Ensure naps are appropriately balanced throughout the day
✅ Make the sleep environment as dark and quiet as possible
✅ Encourage independent sleep skills to break habitual waking patterns
Early wake-ups can be frustrating, but with a few tweaks, you can help your baby sleep until a more reasonable hour. Need personalised support? Let’s chat—I’d love to help you and your little one get the rest you need!
Nurture Support Sleep Program
In my 1:1 Nurture Support Sleep Program, you’ll receive a personalised plan with support from me while you implement it. We can tweak our approach until our sleep goals are met.
The Nurture Support Sleep Program Includes:
1. Online Sleep Questionnaire and Assessment
2. Personalised Sleep Plan
3. Online Sleep and Activity Log where I support you
4. Regular phone check in’s over 1 or 2 weeks
5. Everything Sleep Guide
Nicole Jayawickreme
Certified Baby Sleep Consultant and Registered Nurse (Neonatal Intensive Care)
I’m a certified sleep specialist, neonatal intensive care nurse, wife and a mother of 3 beautiful little children. I know first hand how important sleep is and I am here to help you and your family with my sleep programs so that you all can thrive.
I will guide and empower determined parents like you, to get the sleep you desperately need so that you have the energy to be the best parent that you can be!
Are you ready to have a happy,
well-rested sleeper?
If you’re exhausted and uncertain of where to begin, know that I’ve been there too.
Let me show you how to navigate sleep with ease for a happier, well-rested family!
Fill out my Contact Form and I’ll be in touch
Comments