This could be why your baby is waking early

This could be why your baby is waking early

Early mornings with your baby can be a frequent challenge for many parents. While the internet often suggests that all babies sleep a full 12 hours each night, this isn’t entirely true for everyone. Most babies typically rest for 10 to 11 hours. Some exceptions do exist, but generally speaking, if your baby is consistently waking early, this might be the root cause.

 

Understanding Your Baby’s Sleep Pattern

Imagine you consistently put your child to bed at 7 p.m., only to find them happy and awake at 5 a.m. This could be their way of communicating that they’re fully rested. Most babies fall into a natural cycle that may not align perfectly with a 7-to-7 sleep schedule.

Adjusting the Bedtime Schedule

A simple solution lies in tweaking your baby’s bedtime. Shifting their sleep time from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. might lead to them waking at 6 a.m. instead. Consider this: if your baby is used to sleeping 10 or 11 hours, adjusting their schedule by an hour could bring you those precious extra moments of morning rest.

Practical Steps to Shift Your Baby’s Bedtime

  1. Review the Current Schedule: Calculate the hours between your baby’s bedtime and their usual wake-up time. Does it fit within the typical 10-11 hours range?

  2. Gradual Adjustments: Start by incrementally delaying their naps and bedtime. It’s important not to make sudden changes quickly as it might disrupt their rest.

  3. Observe and Adapt: Every baby is unique, so observe how your child responds to these changes. Adapt according to their needs and your family’s routine.

Embrace the Change for Better Mornings

It truly can be this straightforward: if early mornings are troubling you, take control by adjusting your baby’s sleeping pattern. By making small changes, you could soon discover later and more harmonious wake-up times.

Have Questions?

If you find yourself facing additional challenges or these solutions aren’t fitting your situation, feel free to leave your questions in the comments section. There’s always more to learn and explore when it comes to helping your child get the best sleep possible!

 

If you need more support

I lead a team of Registered Nurses and Nurse Practitioners around the globe, who share my programs and who I personally mentor.

If you are struggling with your baby or child, you can reach out and we can help. We do in person and virtual feeding assessments. We also offer women’s health services and can help you achieve optimal hormonal health. Our services are often covered through insurance.

You can find the nurse closest to you here. If you need more help you can reach out to [email protected].

Thank you so much for being a part of our community,

Carrie Bruno RN, IBCLC, MSCP

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