We were getting up at a nice 700-730 every morning. Now he decided he likes to get up before the sunshines between 430 and 500. I dont want him to get up when its dark because occasionally we have the wake ups at 200-300 thinking its morning. We have kept bedtime before 8pm every night. I put him down for a nap about 10 and he sleeps roughly 1 1/2 hrs. How can I get back to a better wake up time? I feel like a zombie!
I went thr the same thing with my child. It is a phase. Just like everything else. One thing that helped me....>I took my son into bed with me when this happened. I would only do this if you feel that you can do this safely.
He will change back to a more normal schedule eventually. My son did this for 2-3 weeks, and then started sleeping to 8:30 or 9am....and a few times EVEN 10am!!!! It will get better.
It's a phase, it will pass. BOTH my kids did this too, at certain developmental ages.
Now, when he wakes (is he in a crib or do you co-sleep?)... just let him be. There is no reason to rush in, swoop him up, and then be 'awake' too. If he is fine, playing in the crib by himself, then let him be. Just gauge him. IF he then cries/screams/yells or is in distress, then go and get him.
But either way, keep everything dark, keep things quiet, don't turn on any lights, don't talk or just minimally, don't 'play' with him etc. Just keep everything subdued and 'boring.' And just lie down yourself, or on a sofa.
You seem to have a good nap/bedtime routine. It's fine. I would not adjust that or change it. Keep it consistent.
This phase will pass. Really. For babies and toddlers... they go through sleep quirks and sleep pattern changes. But, it will normalize again... and you just have to bear through it. Thus, keeping your nap/bedtime routines the same. Then likewise, it also helps in keeping the child consistent and 'knowing' what to expect.
Both my kids did that. I know how it feels. But, it passes.
Good luck,
Susan
Ditto on Susan's response...my son, who is now 2.5, has gone through various incarnations of the early wakings.
The first time it was because he was going from two naps to one nap, then it was growth spurts, then it was time changes and who knows what else. But, I've always made sure to maintain the same routine no matter what and be consitent with it.
If he's in his crib, I agree with Susan, unless he's crying or upset by something then let him be for a bit and see if he doesn't put himself back down. I used to make the mistake of swooping in to make sure he was okay, and would end up waking him up...once I gave him some time to re-settle he would put himself back to sleep.
Another thing my friend has done is to just let her little girl sleep in her bed with her once she wakes. But, this is a personal choice. I have chosen to co-sleep with my son and even sharing a bed a little one can wake and have changes in sleep patterns, so co-sleeping is not a cure all for sleep issues...not by any means.
Just be patient and it will pass...it always does.
Good Luck!
D..
The next time he gets up early do the vacuuming and ignore him. It worked for my twins when I had to go back to work and they would get up in the middle of the night just because.
Could you try making his nap later, thus his bed-time later? 10am seems really early for that age. My 19mo old has always been a terrible sleeper, but finally we've got into a great routine the last couple months.
I put him down for nap around 12:30, sometimes he plays in his crib for up to an hour before falling asleep. He sleeps for exactly an hour, then bedtime is at 8pm. Lately he's been sleeping until around 7am, then plays in his bed until close to 8am. I couldn't be happier after the struggles we've been through.... but he developed this routine all on his own, nothing to do with "crying it out" etc. Good luck!
My son did the same that at roughly that age. We tried everything and finally figured out he was going to bed too early. I put him to bed at 8 just like all the experts say to do and he would be up without fail by 5am.
Finally I switched his bed time to 9pm. That one hour meant he was sleeping until 6 or 7 again. Since then we have kept the 9pm bed time and he does fabulously with it.
My daughter tries the same thing. We have her in the room with us, and she joins us in the bed in the morning and tries to wake us up around 5:30. I just kinda lay there, like a lump, until 6, them we get up... I always check the clock first, to kno wif it is too early, or ok...
good luck
R.
Kids will just wake up and then put themselves back to sleep during the night. At 4:30-5, he may feel rested enough to get up, even though he is probably not getting enough sleep... and you aren't either.
When he wakes up, go into his room and tell him it is still "Nigh Nigh time" or however you want to phrase it and then leave him until the desired wake up time. This may take a few days, maybe more to have him adjust, but it is WELL worth it!
What time does he go to bed at night? What are his nap(s) like?
C.
Sleep Consultant
www.lullabyluna.com
Hi R G,
I know it's hard with the early wake ups. I work with a sleep specialist and I can tell you what she would say. She would tell you that you should put him down by 7:30 with the same routine every night. Then when he wakes between 4:30 and 5 go in and tell him quietly that it's still night time. Lay him down, pat his back, whatever, but don't stay long. Do this for a couple nights and then let him go back down on his own, without you going in. When it's time for him to get up go in turn on a light and say "Good morning", or whatever you'd like to indicate it's ok to be up. Depending on his temperament, he should get this in a couple days. My little one is very strong willed and it didn't take her long.
Very best,
S. G
