2 keys to getting your child to sleep until 6am

Waking before 6:00am is one of the most prevalent and frustrating sleep issues plaguing toddler parents. Early waking is a sign of a child being overtired. meaning, not getting enough sleep consistently each day. Sleeping until at least 6:00 am is the biologically-appropriate wake up time for kids age 2 to 6 years old so that is the goal for their natural sleep length.

But there are 2 keys to getting your child to sleep until at least 6:00am.

1. Make sure your child has an early bedtime.
The wrong bedtime is usually the culprit behind this problem. Use the Perfect Bedtime Range chart to identify the right time for your child to go to bed.

If your child is taking a longer than 20 minutes to fall asleep after lights out, they likely need an earlier or less-parentally involved bedtime - or both!
If your child is not sleeping through the night, they may need a slightly earlier bedtime to make up for some of the fragmented sleep.

Once you move the bedtime earlier, expect to wait 3-5 days before you see improvement in the wake time.

2. Make the morning BORING!
If your early-waking child is met with co-sleeping, snuggles, TV or food, they're going to keep getting up early.

Waking before 6:00am should be considered a night wake up. So, use to the same strategy that you use at bedtime. 

Once kids wake up after 4:30am, it's tough to go back to sleep because their body feels like they've gotten enough sleep. It's especially tough if they see you when they wake up. If possible, stay out of their room until the light turns green.