💩Early morning poo💩
I am currently working with a 13 month old who is constantly waking at 5am and doing a poo! Early morning poos and wake-ups are frustratingly common at this age (my second son went through this phase!!), and there are a few likely causes and strategies you can try to shift things later:
1. ⏰Timing of last meal
Sometimes, early poos are triggered by digestion starting early in the morning. Try:
* Moving dinner earlier (e.g., before 6:00 p.m.) to allow digestion to complete before early morning.
* If baby is still breastfeeding or having milk before bed, try offering a more solid bedtime snack too (e.g., banana, oats, or whole grain toast).
2. 🍑Adjusting the diet
Some foods can stimulate the bowels. Consider:
* Reducing high-fibre fruits (like pears, prunes, and peaches) at dinner.
* Adding more binding foods like bananas, rice, or toast in the evening.
3. 😴Nap schedule and sleep environment
* Overtiredness can cause early wakes. If naps are being dropped or bedtime is too late, it may lead to poor quality overnight sleep.
* Make sure bedtime is age-appropriate
* Dark room: Ensure the room is pitch black to help extend sleep after early wakes.
4. ✋🏼Response
* If your baby is happy and awake doing a poo, try to wait before intervening (not a long time though for obvious reasons)—just don’t rush in as they may start linking waking and attention if you respond immediately.
* If possible, keep lights dim and interaction minimal during changes to avoid reinforcing it as a fun time.
5. 💦Hydration & fibre
Make sure baby is getting:
* Enough fluids throughout the day (but not too much right before bed).
* A good balance of fibre—not too much all at once.
Sometimes it is just an annoying phase that they do grow out of! As I mentioned earlier, my second son went through this and it stopped! I can’t remember when it stopped, but he’s 5 now and it was a long time ago!!
If you are struggling with early morning wake ups, feel free to contact me to see how I can help you ❤️
