Baby waking up too early in the morning
What it's about
Many toddlers wake early. In app data from over 800 children, the average morning wake-up time stayed about the same from five months to the third birthday (Mindell 2016). Experts give no fixed limit for when it is “too early”; that is for parents to decide.
What families try
Sleep consultants suggest things like keeping the room well darkened until getting-up time, responding only briefly and calmly before then, from around two to three years a light clock that shows when it is time to get up, and not putting the first nap very early in the morning.
Frequently asked questions
When is the morning “too early”?
Experts give no fixed limit; that is for parents to decide.
Does the wake-up time get later with age?
In app data from over 800 children, the average morning wake-up time stayed about the same from five months to the third birthday (Mindell 2016).
Does light help against early waking?
For toddlers it is established that bright light in the evening shifts the body clock later (Hartstein 2023). Whether morning light shifts young children’s mornings has hardly been studied.
If you are worried
Experts recommend contacting your paediatrician or your local out-of-hours medical service if you are worried.
Sources
- Mindell et al. 2016: Sleep development in the first years (app data)
- Hartstein et al. 2023: Evening light shifts young children’s body clock
General information, not a substitute for medical advice.
Sources checked: November 2026