
Toddler sleep patterns can be unpredictable, full of nighttime disruptions. But what if your toddler wakes up way too early in the morning? Being woken up at 5 a.m. by a little one is a common challenge for many parents.
Sleep needs for toddlers vary. Some need more, others need less. On average, toddlers need about 11-14 hours of sleep a day, with 10-12 hours of sleep at night and 1-2 daytime naps. At 18 months old, they may just need 1 longer afternoon (fewer naptime hours mean more nighttime hours).
Good sleep is crucial to your toddler’s physical and mental health. So if your toddler is waking up too early but tired and cranky in the day, you will need to figure out what’s going on.
Why is my toddler waking up too early in the morning?
Young children are naturally early risers. But other reasons your toddler is waking up too early may include the following:
- Nap was too long during the day
- Diaper is wet
- Teething, overtiredness, or hunger
- Sensitivity to light, temperature, or sound
- Allergies or stuffy nose
- Reflux or gastritis
What you can do about your toddler waking up too early
Here are some strategies that can get your toddler to stay in bed longer and help you get a little more shut-eye:
Adjust their bedtime
If your toddler is getting enough sleep but still waking up too early, they may be going to bed too early. Try keeping them up 15 minutes later every night for 1-2 weeks. Don’t shift bedtime too much, though, since your toddler may get overtired and have trouble sleeping at night.
Limit nap times
Too much sleeping during the day can affect nighttime sleep. Avoid naps too early in the morning, and reduce the amount of naps to just 1 nap a day. You can also try gradually shortening your toddler’s nap duration as well. General naptime guidelines are as follows:
- 2 years old: 2 hours
- 2.5 years old: 1.5 hours
- 3 years old: 1 hour
Set a wake-up time
Waking up before a set time in the morning should be treated the same as waking up at night. When your toddler understands that the consequence of getting up too early is the same as getting up in the middle of the night, they will eventually learn. But if they get used to waking up too early and then getting to crawl into your bed and watching videos, they will continue to do so. Once you set a wake-up time, establish a morning routine so that your toddler associates certain actions with that wake-up time.
Invest in a toddler clock
Toddler clocks can be set to light up green at a certain time, which may be helpful for older toddlers. If they wake up early and see that the clock is not green, they will get a visual signal that it’s not wake-up time yet and that they need to go back to sleep.
Limit light
Most toddlers are sensitive to light. Since daylight signals wake-up time, they may be waking up too early if their room gets a lot of sunlight in the morning. Try putting in room-darkening shades or blinds to keep the room dark and make night last a little longer.
Limit noise
Early morning noises of barking dogs, pre-dawn garbage trucks, neighbors leaving for work, construction sounds, and household commotion may be waking up your toddler early. Try using a white noise machine or putting other sound-blocking items in the room, such as thick curtains or rugs.
Cut down on liquids
If your toddler typically wakes up with a sopping wet diaper, you may need to limit their fluids before bedtime. You can also try using nighttime diapers or a diaper larger than their usual size.
Give them a snack before bed
Sometimes, toddlers wake up early because they’re hungry. High-protein snacks, such as whole-grain crackers, cheese, or yogurt, may help keep hunger at bay a little longer. In addition to a bedtime snack, make sure your toddler is eating enough throughout the day so they don’t wake from hunger.
Avoid overstimulation before bedtime
Being overstimulated at bedtime can cause sleep disruptions and lead to early waking. Encouraging your toddler to relax after dinner with dim lights and quiet play before their nighttime routine lets them calm down and prepare for sleep.
Delay breakfast
Don't feed your toddler as soon as they get up. Delay feeding them by around 10-15 minutes each morning until you are feeding her a desired breakfast time.
Rule out medical issues
Toddlers who are teething and have a cold or allergies are more likely to wake up early. It’s also important to rule out medical issues, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or sleep apnea.
Be consistent and patient
Like any sleeping habit, it will take some time, effort, and consistency to change your toddler’s early-bird tendencies.

SLIDESHOW
Parenting Guide: Healthy Eating for Kids See SlideshowHealth Solutions From Our Sponsors
Cleveland Clinic. Is Your Child Waking Up Too Early? https://health.clevelandclinic.org/is-your-child-waking-up-too-early/
Kids Health. Sleep and Your 1- to 2-Year-Old. https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/sleep12yr.html
Top What Do I Do When My Toddler Wakes Up Too Early? Related Articles
10 Common Symptoms in Infants and Young Toddlers
Watch this slideshow to see common symptoms and home treatment for infant and childhood illnesses including fever, nausea, constipation and more.How Can I Help My Toddler With Sleep Problems?
Most toddlers need about 10-14 hours of sleep a day, which includes one to two daytime naps. Help your toddler with sleep problems by making sleep times fun, keeping a regular bedtime schedule, having a regular bedtime routine, ensuring your toddler has a balanced daytime schedule, and applying other strategies.How Do I Get Rid of My Toddler's Cough?
Cough is one of the common complaints in toddlers. Get rid of your toddler's cough by making sure your child rests, stays hydrated, takes over-the-counter pain medication, uses nasal spray and uses a humidifier or steam to provide relief.How Do You Correct Bad Behavior in Toddlers?
What to know about bad behavior in toddlers. Learn how to correct toddlers' behavior in a positive, effective way.How Long Do Flu Symptoms Last in Toddlers?
What is the flu, and how long do symptoms last in kids? Learn the signs of the flu and find out what medicines may help.New Parents Mistakes
Parenting a child isn't easy. Explore the top 10 mistakes that new parents make. Discover newborn parenting tips for breastfeeding, learn to deal with crying babies, child's fevers, and more.What Are Some Mistakes Parents Should Try to Avoid When Feeding Toddlers?
Most toddlers who are picky eaters have a normal appetite and exhibit age-appropriate growth patterns. Mistakes parents should try to avoid when feeding toddlers include watching TV at mealtimes, offering unhealthy snacks as a reward, feeding too many sugary foods, forcing the child to eat, serving portion sizes that are too big and other mistakes.Top Reasons Your Child Can't Sleep, Including You
From snoring and nightmares to sleep apnea and even you, see the bad habits that are keeping your child up all night.Sleep Disorders in Children and Teenagers
Sleep needs in children and teenagers depend on the age of the child. Sleep disorders in children such as: sleep apnea, parasomnias, confusional arousals, night terrors, nightmares, narcolepsy, and sleepwalking which can affect a child's or teen's sleep. Healthy sleep habits and good sleep hygiene can help your infant, toddler, preschooler, tween, or teenager get a good night's sleep.Sleep Quiz
Take our Sleeping Quiz to learn which sleep disorders, causes, and symptoms rule the night. Trouble falling or staying asleep? Find out which medical treatments fight sleep deprivation, apnea, insomnia, and more!Child's 2nd Year Slides
Your child's second year is full of toddler milestone such as running, climbing, kicking a ball, and more. Discover child developmental events that occur during the first two years of life.What age is a child considered a toddler?
A child between one to three years of age is considered a toddler. This is the time that your child is progressing from being an infant to being able to attend a preschool. You will observe drastic changes in the social, emotional, motor and communication skills of your child.What Are the Things Toddlers Do?
A child is a toddler between the ages of one to three years old. At this age, toddlers experience milestones in physical development, cognitive development and language and speech development.What Is a Toddler's Development?
Toddler’s development includes the physical, emotional, behavioral and mental growth of children from ages one to three years old. The various factors that influence the toddler’s development include the family's culture, environment, socioeconomic status and genetics.Why Is Preschool Sleep Important?
Sleep plays a crucial role in the overall development of a child. Preschool sleep is important because it enhances thinking, reasoning and memory-based skills; allows them to learn better; helps them reach their full academic potential; facilitates a better memory and makes them less irritable.