Will an Early Bedtime Cause Early Morning Waking?

The Early Bedtime Myth: Will It Actually Cause Early Morning Waking?

If you are a parent, you’ve likely been there: It’s 5:30 PM, your little one is rubbing their eyes, their fuse is short, and you can practically see the "low battery" light flashing. You know they need to sleep, but you’re paralyzed by a common fear: "If I put them to bed at 6:00 PM, they are going to be wide awake and ready to play at 4:00 AM."

At Rest Well Baby, I hear this concern every day. It feels like you’re just shifting the "misery hours" from a cranky evening to a pre-dawn wake-up call. But here’s the truth: While an early bedtime feels counterintuitive, it is often the most effective tool we have to protect your child’s night sleep. I know this because I’ve been in your shoes—I’ve used 6:00 PM bedtimes for my own children at various ages and stages to get things back on track.

Finding the "Sweet Spot"

In my practice, I find that the ideal bedtime for most babies and toddlers falls between 7:00 PM and 8:00 PM. This is usually the "sweet spot" where their natural biological clock is ready for rest. However, depending on the day and the child, a healthy range can really fall anywhere between 6:00 PM and 8:30 PM.

However, life doesn’t always follow a perfect schedule. There are several scenarios where sticking to that "standard" window actually works against you:

• The "Crap Nap" Day: When a nap was cut short or skipped entirely.

• Nap Transitions: When a child’s body is physically working harder to handle longer stretches of being awake.

• Developmental Milestones: Big physical leaps like crawling or walking leave the nervous system exhausted.

• New Environments: Starting daycare or preschool can drain a child’s energy much faster than a day at home.

When 6:00 PM is the Right Move

Before you pull the trigger on a 6:00 PM bedtime, just take a quick look at how the day started. An early bedtime is a fantastic "rescue" for days that started early or days where naps were a total bust.

Just keep in mind that if your child happened to sleep in until 8:00 AM that morning, a 6:00 PM bedtime might be too early—they simply haven't been awake long enough to stay asleep all night. It’s all about finding that balance between how long they’ve been awake and how much rest they truly need.

The Overtiredness Paradox

When a baby or toddler stays awake past their "optimal" window, their body gets a "second wind" of energy. This is the "tired but wired" state. Ironically, pushing a tired child to stay awake until 7:30 PM just to hit a "normal" bedtime is often exactly what causes the 5:00 AM wake-up call. Their system is too stressed to settle into deep sleep, leading to a restless night for everyone.

Using the Tool, Not Making a Rule

When I work with families, I am cautious about bedtimes that are too early. While it can be tempting to move sleep to 5:00 PM when a day has gone off the rails, I find that keeping a firm boundary—never earlier than 6:00 PM—helps keep their internal clock on track.

Think of it as a temporary bridge. It allows your child to catch up on missed sleep and reset their system before a rough day turns into a rough week.

Let’s Find Your Rhythm

If you’re struggling to figure out if your child is genuinely exhausted or if your schedule needs a total overhaul, you don't have to guess. At Rest Well Baby, I partner with you to look at your child's whole day—from the first wake-up to the final tuck-in. Together, we can handle those "off" days so you can navigate parenthood with confidence.

Want to learn more? During my Sweet Dreams Call, we can screen for these underlying issues together and discuss the best path forward for your child's restorative sleep.

Yours in sleep,

Tracie / Rest Well Baby

www.restwellbaby.com

Tracie Kesatie is a Certified Gentle Sleep Coach dedicated to helping families with little ones 0-10 years of age achieve a restful night's sleep.

Disclaimer: This article provides general information and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with your pediatrician for any concerns about your child's health.