Early Morning Wakings: Why They Happen + How to Fix Them

Early mornings can be one of the most exhausting sleep challenges—especially when bedtime already feels like a marathon.

Common causes

• Too much total daytime sleep (or too little).

• Bedtime is too late (overtired) or too early (undertired).

• Light exposure in the early morning.

• Hunger or habit wakes.

• Developmental leaps and separation anxiety (toddlers).

Gentle fixes that work

• Treat anything before your target wake time as ‘night’ (dark + boring).

• Adjust bedtime by 15 minutes for 4–5 nights before changing again.

• Use blackout curtains + white noise.

• For toddlers: add a simple morning boundary (OK-to-wake clock).

If you want a tailored plan for your child’s age (4 months to 5 years), Full Bloom Support is designed for exactly this.