Reply To: 6 month 15 days, early waking 5 or 5:30am

[Emma H]

Hi Katerina,

It’s so good to hear that Helen has been doing well. I was wondering how you all were! It’s also great to hear that she has started to sleep independently again, after learning how to roll over and then sit up (she has been busy!).

Unfortunately, it will be hard to settle Helen back to sleep if she wakes at 5-6am, as sleep pressure would be low, sleep itself is generally lighter in the early hours of the morning, and her circadian rhythm is encouraging her to wake up​​​​.

Another thing to note is that it’s really common for babies to start their day between 6-7am. This is just a typical circadian rhythm for infants​​.

Before I give any recommendations, I have a few questions:

1. You mentioned she naps at 9am and generally has a 35-40 minute nap. For her second and third naps, how long is she generally napping for?
2. Is she waking overnight for feeds? Or is she waking sometime between 5 and 6 am and you’re feeding her at this point to try and help her fall back to sleep?
3. From what you have said, I am guessing Helen’s schedule looks a little like this:
   • Wake: 5am – 6am
   • Feed and then play
   • Nap #1: 9am until 9:45am
   • Feed and then play
   • Nap #2: 12pm until 12:45pm
   • Feed and then play
   • Nap #3: 3pm – 3:45pm
   • Feed and then play and then feed
   • Bedtime: 7/8pm
4. Is Helen having all her naps in a bedroom in a crib? Or is she still having some contact naps and naps in the pram?
5. Does she self-settle for naps and bedtime?

Thanks for taking the time to answer these for me – I know life can be very busy with a 6-month-old!

Emma