Don’t let the cold start your morning too early!

8 Jan

As the temperatures have dropped significantly (hello, winter!), many of us are waking up to chilly mornings and frost-covered windows. While the cold can be a bit picturesque, it’s less appealing when it starts impacting your child’s sleep. If your kids are waking up bright and early – think 5 a.m. early – the freezing temperatures could be playing a bigger role than you’d think.

For little ones, who are already light sleepers in the early morning hours, a dip in temperature can be just enough to disturb their sleep. If your house tends to cool down significantly overnight, their discomfort might be the culprit behind those early wake-ups.

So, what can you do? The simplest fix is to set your heating to come on earlier in the morning, ideally before your child’s typical wake-up time. Think of it as creating a cosy, sleep-friendly environment that encourages them to stay tucked in for a bit longer.

Why does this work?

Temperature drops early in the morning: Around 4-5 a.m., outdoor temps tend to hit their lowest, and if your heating isn’t timed to counteract this, your house could be noticeably cooler.
Minimizes disruptions: Kids don’t always wake up fully because they’re too cold, but even a partial disturbance can make them restless enough to start the day early.

What should you do?

Program your heating to kick in around 4:30 or 5 a.m for 30 minutes (or earlier if you notice consistent early wake-ups). You don’t want the house to become warm, just enough to take the chill out of the bedroom.
Check their bedding: Make sure their pyjamas and duvets are appropriate for the weather. Layers are your friend here!
Seal the drafts: If your home is particularly drafty, consider using blackout curtains or draft stoppers to help keep the chill out.

This small adjustment could make a big difference in how long your kids stay in bed (and how long you get to enjoy those extra few minutes of peace). Because let’s face it: no one really wants to be up and about when it’s still dark and freezing outside!

If you’ve noticed early rising becoming a trend in your house, try this simple heating hack and let me know how it goes. Here’s to warmer mornings and better sleep for the whole family!

Are you ready to get better sleep? Book a free 15-minute call with a certified child sleep consultant today. As a paediatric sleep consultant and a mom to two young kids, I know the challenges sleepless nights can bring. I’m here to support you and help your whole family to get better sleep.