My Quick Guide to the Different Types of Night Wakes
When it comes to night wakes, if you want to make things better, you need to understand the different types of bedtime challenges, how they present themselves & what can cause them.
I’ve provided a snapshot of those that are most common among babies ages 5 - 12 months below. Let this sink in. You are best placed to stop/reduce the wakes when you understand what is/could be causing them.
Bedtime Battles
What Do They Look Like
When your little one refuses/shows distress (crying/overly stimulated/still wide awake) when trying to put them into their cot at bedtime.
What Causes Them
Linked to our little ones being under/overtired after being awake too little/long following their nap or not having enough day sleep (or a mix of both).
False Starts
What Do They Look Like
When your little one falls asleep at bedtime for the length of a sleep cycle (approx. 45 mins - 1 hr or less) & wakes up again, not able/wanting to go back to sleep.
What Causes Them
Connected to our little ones not being quite “bed ready” as they have either not had enough awake time following their last nap or they have had too much day sleep & are genuinely not tired enough to go into a deeper state of night-time sleep.
Split Nights
What Do They Look Like
When your little one falls asleep for the night at bedtime & then wakes roughly around 4-6 hrs later (usually around midnight/1 am for about 1-2+ hrs), full of beans, refusing to settle & wanting to stay awake.
What Causes Them
Typically the result of too much day sleep, not enough total wake time during the day, or the need for more stimulation/movement/activity (overall, not having enough sleep pressure (what keeps us asleep) to sleep right through the night).
Early Morning Wakes
What Do They Look Like
When your little one wakes for the day around 4 am - 5 am & will not go back to sleep (anything from 6 am beyond is classed as daytime & not an early wake).
What Causes Them
One of the toughest to crack & often the result of something being off in your daytime routine i.e. too much day sleep, wake windows are not age appropriate & over/under tiredness. Sleep environment can also contribute (light entering the room, temperature, noise & comfort).
