false starts

A false start occurs when a baby wakes up shortly after being put to bed, typically within the first 45 minutes to an hour of falling asleep. It can also involve multiple wake ups in the early part of the night, as the baby struggles to settle into a longer stretch of sleep. False starts often signal that a baby’s sleep routine or environment may need adjustments, whether due to too much daytime sleep, overtiredness, or even discomfort.