Good morning! If you’re reading this, it’s probably waaaay too early because your little one woke you up. I know the struggle—the yawning, the blurry-eyed attempts to start your day before the sun is even up. To help you get some well-deserved rest, let’s talk about how to get your baby sleeping in. In this post, we’ll explore how to get your baby to sleep until 7am so that you can finally have a morning that starts on your terms. With a few tweaks and a little patience, you might just find yourself enjoying that extra hour or two of precious sleep (I know — what a dream!).
Why Babies Wake Up Early (And Why It’s So Common)
If your baby is waking up before 7am, you’re in good company.
Many babies experience early wake-ups for several reasons, including their natural sleep cycles, hunger, or even the slightest bit of morning light. Babies have shorter sleep cycles than adults, and they often wake between cycles, especially in the early morning. Sometimes it’s because they’re ready to start the day — or, more accurately, their little bodies think they are! Let’s look at a few ways to address these early morning wake-ups.
Tip #1: Create a Sleep-Perfect Environment
One of the first steps in helping your baby sleep until 7am is making sure their room environment supports good sleep. Here’s how:
- Block Out Light: Even a sliver of morning light can cue your baby to wake up early. Try using blackout curtains to keep the room dark until you’re ready for your baby to wake.
- Minimize Noise: Morning sounds, like garbage truck coming by or even birds chirping, can wake your baby. That’s why I LOVE a white noise machine. It can help cover these early-morning sounds and encourage them to keep sleeping.
- Control Temperature: Babies sleep best in a room that’s cool but comfortable, typically between 68–72°F (20–22°C). Adjust the room temperature if needed to make sure they stay comfortable all night.
Tip #2: Consistent Bedtimes for Consistent Mornings
Bedtime is more powerful than you might think when it comes to wake-up times. Babies’ internal clocks are especially sensitive to routines, and setting a steady bedtime can really help them sleep until 7am. Establishing a calming bedtime routine, like a warm bath, gentle rocking, or a quiet story, can signal to your baby that it’s time for sleep.
An age-appropriate bedtime is also important. Many parents assume that keeping a baby up later will lead to sleeping in, but this often backfires. An overtired baby can have even more restless sleep and wake even earlier. Start with a regular, age-appropriate bedtime and observe how it impacts your baby’s morning wake time.
Tip #3: Keep Them Fed (at the right times!)
For some babies, waking up early can be tied to hunger. Younger babies especially may need additional feedings to make it through the night without an early wake-up.
- Pre-Bedtime Feed: Make sure your baby gets a good feed close to bedtime so they go down with a full tummy.
- Dream Feed: If your baby is under six months, you might consider adding a “dream feed” around 10 or 11 pm. This late feeding can often help stretch their sleep until morning.
- Gradual Night Feed Reduction: If your baby is waking early for a bottle or breastfeeding session, try reducing the amount gradually. Over time, this can help them learn to sleep longer.
Tip #4: Teach Self-Soothing Skills
Sometimes, babies wake up early and just need a little help going back to sleep. Teaching your baby to self-soothe is a game changer in extending those precious morning hours.
You can start by gently encouraging your baby to settle on their own. When they wake, try waiting a minute or two before going to them, giving them a chance to fall back asleep. Over time, babies who learn self-soothing skills often wake less frequently and, more importantly, can fall back asleep on their own. If self-soothing feels like a challenge, it’s perfectly okay to reach out to a baby sleep consultant for support. Sometimes, a bit of guidance can go a long way toward helping your little one master these skills.
Tip #5: Adjust Daytime Nap Schedule
Sometimes, the key to getting your baby to sleep until 7am is finding the right balance with daytime naps. If your baby is waking too early, try these tips:
- Nap Timing: Babies need a regular nap schedule that works with their age and energy levels. Keeping naps too close to bedtime can disrupt nighttime sleep.
- Balancing Daytime and Nighttime Sleep: If your baby is sleeping a lot during the day, it may reduce nighttime sleep. Gradually adjusting nap times and lengths can help, but remember not to cut naps too drastically, as this could lead to overtiredness.
Remember… Consistency is Key to Get Your Baby to Sleep Until 7am
When it comes to changing sleep patterns, consistency is your best friend. Babies need time to adapt to new routines, so try to give any new strategy a few weeks to take effect. If you’re adjusting bedtime, nap schedules, or self-soothing methods, don’t be discouraged if results aren’t instant.
Small changes can build up over time, so stay patient and trust the process!
And take note of any slight improvements along the way, even if it’s just an extra 10 minutes in the morning. These small victories can be SO encouraging. And remember, if you’re feeling overwhelmed, you’re not alone. Working with a baby sleep consultant can make a huge difference by providing personalized support that’s tailored to your family’s needs.
When to Get Help
If you’ve tried everything and your baby is still waking up before dawn, it might be time to get some extra support. Figuring out how to get your baby to sleep until 7am is HARD, especially when you’re exhausted. The journey to better sleep isn’t always straightforward, and sometimes, having a little guidance makes all the difference.
A baby sleep consultant can help you identify the unique factors that may be contributing to those early wake-ups. From personalized advice on adjusting sleep schedules to addressing specific challenges like self-soothing or nighttime hunger, a consultant offers tailored strategies to suit your baby’s needs and your family’s lifestyle. Many parents find that even small adjustments recommended by a consultant can lead to big improvements in their baby’s sleep.
Getting help doesn’t mean you’re failing—it means you’re choosing to give your family the rest you all deserve. If you’re looking for some help on how to get your baby to sleep until 7am, check out my services here! I’d love to help you with plan that’s easy to follow, so you and your baby can get the rest you need.
