Are you finding yourself wide awake at 5 am, wondering why your little one has decided that dawn is the perfect time to rise and shine? Many parents of 13-month-olds face the challenge of early morning wakings. Understanding the reasons behind this can help you find effective solutions. Let’s explore the common causes of these early wake-ups and practical strategies to help your child sleep longer.
Understanding Early Morning Waking
First, let me be clear that any time after 6:00 am, though not always ideal, is a completely normal time for a baby to wake, so sorry if that doesn’t work for your desire to doom-scroll or stay up watching Netflix. Presuming that’s not the issue, let’s discuss why a baby is waking early in the morning.
- Sleep Associations: At this age, children often develop sleep associations, which means they may rely on you to help them fall asleep or to comfort them back to sleep when they wake up. If your child has grown accustomed to your presence during these moments, they may struggle to settle back down on their own.
- Developmental Milestones: Babies are hitting significant developmental milestones, including cognitive, motor, and language skills. This increased brain activity can lead to wakefulness, making it tricky for them to sleep through the early morning hours.
- Timing and Nap Transitions: By 13 months old, babies should be transitioning to one nap a day, to best align their sleep-wake cycle, AKA their circadian rhythm. If their sleep is still broken overnight or they can’t put themselves to sleep, you also likely have short naps, which can contribute to this messy situation. There is a reason our sleep packages are The Dumpster Fire, The Struggle Bus, or The Walking Dead.
Strategies to Address Early Morning Waking
Now that we understand the reasons behind those early morning wake-ups, let’s dive into some effective strategies to help your 13-month-old sleep longer:
1. Establish a Consistent Sleep Schedule
Creating a regular sleep schedule is crucial. Try to put your child to bed and wake them up at the same time every day, even on weekends. This consistency helps regulate their internal clock, making it easier for them to sleep longer in the mornings.
2. Create a Sleep-Conducive Environment
Ensure your child’s sleep environment is dark, quiet, and at a comfortable temperature. Consider using blackout curtains to block out early morning light and a white noise machine to drown out any disruptive sounds.
- Temperature: Keep the room at a comfortable temperature, ideally between 68-72°F (20-22°C).
- Darkness: Use blackout curtains to ensure the room is dark enough for sleep.
- Quiet: Minimize noise or use a white noise machine to help drown out any disturbances.
3. Develop a Bedtime Routine
A calming and predictable bedtime routine can signal to your child that it’s time to wind down. This could include activities like a warm bath, reading a story, or gentle cuddling. The goal is to create a soothing transition to sleep.
4. Watch for Sleep Associations
Be mindful of any sleep associations your child may have formed. If they rely on you to fall asleep, work on helping them learn to self-soothe. Gradually reduce your involvement in their falling asleep process to encourage independence.
5. Encourage Self-Sleep
It’s important to give your child opportunities to self-soothe and fall asleep on their own. If they wake up at 5 am, try to wait a few minutes before going in to check on them. This gives them a chance to settle back down without your help.
If challenges persist or you feel overwhelmed, seeking professional guidance from a member of the Tiny Transitions team of Certified Baby Sleep Trainers is always a viable option. You’re not alone in this journey; resources are available to help you reclaim the gift of sleep and hear not a peep until morning.
