5 Month old 5am waking

[FTM2022SS]

So, I know every parent has been here in one way or another but still ... I have the most pleasant little boy, so happy through the day, smily, chatty etc! We don't have a bad sleep routine (I don't think) but we have started being WIDE awake at 5am and I don't know how to shift his routine? I watch his wake windows of 2 hours, and this works well I think!

Normal day at the moment -

5AM - awake - happily chatting in his cot not at all distressed but wide awake. Husband will get up and say hello take him downstairs as he gets ready for work

6.30 - Bottle (so he isn't waking hungry?)

7.00 - Nap normally 45 minutes

9.30/10 - Bottle

10/10.30 - Nap again anything from 45mins to 1.5 hours

12.30/1.00 - Bottle

1.30/2.00 - Nap normally 30/45mins

3.30/4.00 - Bottle

4.00/4.30 - Nap no more than 30 minutes

6.15 - Bath and bedtime routine

6.30/45 - Bottle and asleep by 7 into his cot

Night feed between 1-2am

Awake 5am

I know we don't have it bad! But he should be dropping to 3naps and with wake windows I don't see how without him becoming over tired!

Any advice welcome!

I wouldn’t drop daytime naps, but maybe try putting him to bed a little later say 7.30/8 pm.

There's not really much you can do. He'll choose when to drop a nap. It'll probably just change to two longer naps. Mine used to have a nap for about an hour at 9 then a really long one after lunch sometimes 3 hours. Same with nighttime sleeping it will eventually get better (although potentially much worse when teething!) But there isn't much you can do other than reinforce the difference between daytime and nighttime sleeps.

Thanks for the replies! I know he isn't an awful sleeper, but the 5am after the night feed just feels extra early haha! He has actually cut his first tooth a week ago, so I guess that could be playing into a factor too! Maybe when we start weaning it will all change again but will look at his bedtime and see if pushing back a little helps! He is just normally showing all his sleepy signs by then! When he seems extra tired we bath him because it's his favourite thing and helps stretch him from going down too early!

Have a look at "rouse to sleep" and try it a few times. It's scary as hell but each time we had a consistent early waking time it cracked it
Good luck!

We had this. Only way that solved it was 8pm bedtime, it took about a week for my lo to adjust but it can take up to 3 weeks apparently. Making sure pitch black in room and no light from other areas leaking in. Making sure lo not cold.

If he is happy in cot why is your husband getting him up? Leave him and see if he drops back off to sleep.

Agree with others though that is an early bedtime for a 5 month old

I will definitely have a look at rouse to sleep thanks! We were doing a dream feed until recently, but he started only taking 1/2oz so cut it out!

Him being cold is a hard one because he freaks out in a sleeping bag, and kicks his blankets off so I have just been vest and baby grow while it's still warm but dreading winter! I have been looking at Tog sleepsuits from Sainsbury's and fleece onesies! Will have to try sleeping bags again though!

We actually have a nightlight on his room because my husband thought he was waking scared and crying a few weeks back, but he is just happily chatting away now so might try turning that off and see if it helps! It's one of those star projectors but I put it on red light as apparently that doesn't disrupt sleep? But maybe it is! His room is dark though! Black out blind and curtains!

We have tried leaving him for around 20 minutes and he hasn't ever dropped off, and I think my husband just feels like it's a little mean to leave him chatting alone haha!

I will look at his bedtime, it has just naturally fell at this time following his wake windows really, and then once he drops off he stays fast asleep until his night feed, so just assumed that this was what he needed! He has settled at this time since he was about 10 weeks old, but used to wake at 9.30 for a feed, but he stopped waking and I stopped dream feeding a few weeks ago.

But your DH is getting him up when its not needed imo. I think its great when babies are just happy in their cot and their room etc. Tell you DH to just leave him and see what happens. go in and get him when he starts to sound like he has had enough.

I'm not really sure what 'wake windows' are or how long they are supposed to be, I've never used them. He may be tired at the bedtime, but you are asking for him to do a very long stint overnight, which may be causing the 5am wake up

Hiya came across this post when looking for some solutions for my little ones sleep. She is 5 months old and does exactly this. Their routine is pretty much same.. even down to husband waking up with her every morning. Have you managed to sort? I tried stretching her wake windows cutting out last nap (well trying, nothing works..) it’s sometimes 4 am wake up time… it would be great if someone found the cure 😂 many thanks xx

Hi OP, I agree with other posters about leaving little one in his cot if he's happy 😊. I naturally wake up about 5.30 - 6am and when I check the monitor my DD is always awake! Laying quietly playing with her comforter (she's 7 months) - I wouldn't know she's awake unless I had the monitor! I often get up earlier than the kids to get little chores done and set for the day & shower and she always nods off again, normally until about 7 - 7.30. Unless he gets distressed then I would let him chill 😎