One of the biggest sleep questions parents ask is, “Is 5 PM too early for bedtime?” If you’ve got a baby who’s completely done with the day by late afternoon, you’re not alone.
I was that mom, too.
When my son was just a few months old, his bedtime started creeping earlier and earlier until we landed at … wait for it … 5 PM.
And guess what? It worked.
Sure, it came with some challenges (hello, 4 AM wake-ups!), but overall, it made life so much easier for everyone.
So let’s chat about the early bedtime debate and whether it might just be the sleep solution your baby needs.
Understanding Baby Sleep Needs
Babies aren’t mini-adults—they don’t follow our schedules, and trying to force them into one can backfire. Instead, experts recommend following biological sleep rhythms and watching for sleep cues.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), babies aged 4-12 months should get 12-16 hours of total sleep in a 24-hour period, including naps. (AAP Sleep Guidelines)
When we respect a baby’s natural sleep cycle, we make life easier—for them and for us.
Signs That a 5 PM Bedtime Might Be Right for Your Baby
Not sure if your baby is an early-to-bed type? Here are some signs I noticed with my own son:
- Pink or red skin around the eyebrows – A surefire indicator of sleepiness in babies.
- Fussiness that escalates quickly – If missing the bedtime window leads to an overtired, overstimulated baby who won’t sleep, it’s a problem.
- Zoning out or staring blankly – That distant, glassy-eyed look? It’s their way of saying, “I’m too tired to function.”
If these sound familiar, an early bedtime could be your golden ticket to better sleep.
The Benefits of an Early Bedtime
Parents often worry that an early bedtime will lead to insanely early wake-ups, but in many cases, the opposite happens. Here’s why:
- Longer stretches of sleep at night – Once I started putting my son to bed at 5 PM, he slept 12 hours straight most nights.
- Easier naps – Well-rested babies nap better. His daytime sleep became much more predictable.
- Peaceful evenings – With my son in bed, I actually got to enjoy a quiet dinner with my older child. Mom win!
- Better long-term sleep habits – Both of my kids learned to recognize their own sleep needs early on, which made bedtime battles easier to handle as they got older.
The Challenges (And How to Handle Them)
Of course, an early bedtime isn’t without its downsides. Here’s what I experienced and how we dealt with it:
1. Early Wake-Ups
Yes, for a while, my son was ready to party at 4 AM. But over time, his wake-ups naturally adjusted as his bedtime gradually moved later.
Tip: Use blackout curtains to help encourage longer sleep and avoid bright light exposure first thing in the morning.
2. Pushback from Others
Many parents (and grandparents) believe babies should adjust to our schedule. I disagreed. The few times we forced a later bedtime, it backfired—leading to an overtired, restless baby.
Tip: Stand firm in your decision. You know your baby best.
3. Flexibility for Special Events
We did have to miss some late-afternoon activities, but for us, a well-rested baby was worth it.
Tip: If you must push bedtime later, keep it minimal and get back on track the next night.
Personalizing the Bedtime Routine
Not all bedtime routines work for every baby. Case in point: While many suggest a bath before bed, my daughter got completely wired after bath time, so that was a hard no for us.
Instead, we kept things simple:
- Dim lighting
- A fresh diaper and PJs
- A short book
- Nursing or snuggles
Keeping it consistent helped my babies transition to sleep without overstimulation.
Trust Your Baby’s Sleep Instincts
If there’s one thing I’ve learned from raising two great sleepers, it’s this: babies know what they need.
By respecting their natural sleep cues and not forcing them into a schedule that doesn’t fit, you set them up for success. So if your baby needs a 5 PM bedtime … go for it. You just might end up with a well-rested little one—and a well-rested YOU.
What do you think? Have you tried an early bedtime? Let’s chat in the comments!
