My two year old used to sleep until about 7:30 every morning. Over the past 2 weeks, he's gotten up earlier and earlier every morning until this morning when he was awake and crying at 6:15! He is NOT happy when he wakes up and is even crabbier by lunchtime. His room has room-darkening shades so it's almost black in there and I know he doesn't have an ear infection because he's recently seen his doctor. Any suggestions to keep him in bed and asleep would be wonderful. Not only is he getting up earlier every morning but, he's waking up his older brother too! So, by lunchtime, I have two boys that are very tired and crabby. My 2-year-old's nap is also suffering. About 2 weeks ago, he would've taken a 2 or 2 1/2-hour nap and been happy when he woke up. Now, it has shortened SO MUCH that his nap is barely an hour long... And, again, he wakes up crying and not happy. I would appreciate any and all help... My son is getting less and less sleep each night and I'm getting more and more frustrated as this goes on. Thanks, in advance!
could it be teething? are his molars all in yet? Esp. if he waking up crying.
I would guess that you need to put him to bed earlier. It sounds backwards, but can be explained in detail in "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child." Overtired kids don't sleep as well and therefore wake-up earlier in the morning. The fact that he is waking up crabby is a good indicator as well.
Has he gotten his 2 year molars yet? If not that could be waking him up.
Could he be getting his 2 year molars?
I move my kids bedtime later if I want them to sleep in and since I stay home that works in my house because it is more important for me to sleep in than to have time to myself at night.
You could also try a sound machine or a fan blowing at the wall in his room for white noise to keep him asleep longer. I swear by white noise to keep my kids sleeping and napping.
Good Luck
Hi S.,
I know this sounds strange, but sometimes when this starts happening it helps to put them down for bed about an hour earlier....then, for some reason they sleep later. I don't get it, but it sometimes works. Sounds like there might be something else going on though since he isn't taking a very good nap either, but it might be worth a try. If he starts sleeping better at night he will probably start taking a good nap again, too....the two seem to go hand-in-hand.
C.
