2 1/2 Year Old Waking for Day at 4 Am Every day...we All Need Sleep!

Being a mother of three grown children and grandmother of four, I have had my share of troubles when they were little. I can assure you it will pass. It always does. I found taking my children outside even when it is cold, helped them sleep better and more soundly. I always had a routine of time for them to do this or that--dinner, bath, reading to them, then bed. They adjusted well to this, and on occasion would wake up at night. I recall my daughter having a few night terrors. She would be screaming and her bedroom was downstairs from ours and I'd run down to find her just sitting up, screaming and looking as if she was awake. She was not, and after a few minutes, would calm down and settle back to sleep. In the morning, she remembered nothing.

While my situation is different from what yours is with your daughter, I know it is easy to panic and take them to the dr when you worry. I would just advise you that it all will pass, and in time she will grow out of all and be just fine, and yes, you will get some much needed rest. It is sure rough sometimes when raising little ones. I now see my son and daughter who have children of their own going through these things, and worrying like anything. I tell them, they made it, and so will their little ones.

Hang in there.
P.

My daughter started having night terrors around that age. They went on for several months and then she was fine. I'm not suggesting that your daughter has night terrors, but since you didn't describe how she is when she wakes up I thought I might throw that out there. Is the new baby throwing off her sleeping pattern?

Is she still in a crib? My daughter is now 3 and once we made her crib into a toddler bed (took off the front rail) she was a lot better when she woke up at night. I was usually out in the living room nursing my baby and she could get out of her bed and come out, climb on the sofa where she would usually fall back asleep. Is your daughter very needy at this time of day? Do you have a safe place where she could be independently playing quietly until you wake up at a human hour? My house is all on one level so we are able to do this, might not be workable for you. Although I suppose if you had a two story house you could simply move to the first floor and lay down on your sofa or the floor to catch some extra z's while your daughter plays quietly around you.

I'm sure this is very difficult to deal with. I have a 6 year old who has gotten into the habit of getting up between 4 and 5 am, so I sort of know what it is like. Try to remember that this is probably a phase, which hopefully will pass real soon! It is easy for a child to get into a bad habit and real hard to break them of it, but it seems like sooner or later she will just get tired.

im not sure, i know its early in age but maybe shes ready to give up the naps??

Hello, I am a mother of three 14,10 and 8. My 8 yr old did the same thing so at the age 2 i had stopped giving her a nap during the day and I also found out she had adhd. she still gets up early sometimes she is awake all night long but, there are days where she will sleep until 8 am I also found that keeping her awake all day and tiring her out she will sleep until at least 7am. But, It sounds like your daughter may have a high iq already. does she pay attention to alot and is she a busy body. my doctor also told me to feed her as much as she will eat right before bed bc the more active they are the more hungry they r. also just something to do is my kid's tended to sleep if i gave them a little radio to listen to on low it helps calm them. This is just what I did with my children. It's not something that you have to listen to bc I am just a mother of three children.
my name is shelley

I admit I didn't read your whole question, but this weekened is daylight savings for maybe that will fix it. Bringing her back to her old wake up time.

I have a 3 1/2 year old and a 1 1/2 year old... My 3 year old stopped taking naps during the day once he turned 2 because he would wake up at 5:00 A.M. and wouldn't go back to sleep. He goes to bed at 8:00 and wakes up at 7:30 every day! He is still full of energy all day long. He might take a break and lay on the couch for 20 minutes and watch a short show... but the no napping has helped all of us alot!! maybe you should try putting her to sleep a little later... Maybe it will make her tired enough to sleep a full night.Once she gets into the pattern of waking up at a decent time, start weening her back 15 minutes earlier a night. She will grow out of it!! Good luck!

Dear C.,
When me and my sisters or even my daughter did not sleep long at night sometimes we have a glass of warm milk before bed. My daughter atonepoint had her sleep time mixed up due to my work schedule and giving her something to sleep with like a blanky or bear and warm milk worked for her. everyone is different though. Hope you find your answer.

D.