Will My Baby Ever Sleep Past 6am?

Why early wakeups happen and what you can actually do about it

There’s a moment that hits most new parents like a truck. It’s 5:47am. Your baby is standing up in the crib, wide-eyed and ready for the day. Meanwhile, you’ve only just shut your eyes after a 3am feed. You shuffle over, whispering your 19th “Shhh,” wondering: Will they ever sleep past 6am? Is this just... it? Forever?

The good news: no, it's not forever. The less-good news: it is incredibly common. Let’s dig into why babies wake early, whether it’s normal, and what (if anything) you can do to help them sleep in longer.

 

First Things First: What Counts as Early?

Newborns have no concept of "morning," "night," or your desperate wish for just one more hour in bed. But as babies get older, their circadian rhythms begin to mature.

According to the National Sleep Foundation, a biologically normal wake time for babies between 4–12 months is somewhere between 6:00am and 7:30am. Anything before that is typically considered an early wakeup.

Common Causes of Early Wakeups (and What To Do)

1. Too-Late or Too-Early Bedtime

It sounds counterintuitive, but sleep experts agree that overtiredness can cause earlier waking. When babies are overtired, their cortisol levels rise, disrupting their ability to stay asleep.

Fix it: For babies aged 4–12 months, an ideal bedtime is usually between 6:30pm and 8:00pm. Earlier is often better than later.

2. Too Much Daytime Sleep

Yes, naps are essential — but too many long daytime naps, especially late in the day, can push wake time earlier.

The data: A 6–12-month-old needs around 2.5 to 3.5 hours of total daytime sleep across 2–3 naps. Keep the last nap early enough that bedtime doesn’t get delayed.

3. Too Little Daytime Sleep

Wait...didn't we just say too much was a problem? Yes. But too little daytime sleep can also lead to overtiredness, which again causes early rising.

Welcome to parenthood's most annoying paradox.

4. Too Much Light in the Room

Even the slightest bit of early morning light creeping through the curtain can be a wake-up signal for babies, especially after 4am when sleep is lighter.

Solution: Invest in proper blackout blinds or even travel blackout covers. You can also use a light-dimming sticker to cover small LEDs (like the kind we make at The Cot and Cradle Company).

5. Too Quiet (Yes, Really)

Early morning can be full of ambient disruptions — birds chirping, garbage trucks, older siblings stirring. Babies in lighter sleep phases (especially after 4am) are more easily woken by these sounds.

Fix it: Layered sound (think white noise plus a consistent shushing rhythm) can mask environmental sounds and help babies drift back to sleep.

Subtle plug: That’s exactly why we created Shushiie®, to blend soothing sounds the way parents do naturally.

6. Habitual Waking

If your baby is waking at 5:15am on the dot each morning, it might be out of habit - not hunger, light, or other disruptions.

Try this: Gently shift the wakeup time using wake-to-sleep methods. This involves lightly rousing baby about 30 minutes before their usual early wake (e.g. a hand on their chest at 4:45am) to reset their sleep cycle. This only works in some cases, and should be done with care.

Is It Just a Phase?

Often, yes. Many babies go through early rising spells around developmental leaps or regressions. The infamous 4-month regression, or the 8–10-month separation anxiety phase, can be peak early-riser territory.

Stay consistent. Don’t rush in every time unless it’s needed. Let them whimper for a minute. Sometimes babies resettle themselves...but they’ll never get the chance if they’re scooped up immediately.

So… Will They Sleep In Eventually?

Yes. Most toddlers settle into a 6:30–7:30am wake-up by age 2, and parents eventually get to feel like humans again. Until then, try adjusting one thing at a time. Track changes. Be patient. And if you get them to sleep in until 7:01am?

You'll enjoy it even more!