Confusional arousal is a partial wake-up in which children sit up in bed and talk, but usually don’t make much sense. They act confused and can’t be fully awakened. Peak age is 1 to 6 years.

Children who wake up early before their parents do, usually between 5 and 6 AM. They come out of their bedroom and want everyone to get up. Early morning risers are not waking early on purpose. They are no longer tired. They’ve been put to bed too early the night before.

Nightmares are scary dreams that wake a child from sleep. Occasional bad dreams are normal at all ages.

A baby over 6 months old who can’t sleep through the night (at least 7 straight hours). Wakes up and cries one or more times a night to be fed.