| Author |
 Topic Search  Topic Options
|
Peanut 
Senior Member
Joined: 01 January 1900
Location: Christchurch
Points: 3649
|
 Post Options
 Thanks(0)
 Quote  Reply
 Topic: Early Waking! Help please!
Posted: 19 May 2009 at 10:32am |
My DS is 17 months and has always been an early waker. It is usually between 5-5.30am. I am finding that I am starting to get exhausted now and was wanting some tips and advice.
He only started sleeping through at about 12-13 months and still has one or 2 nights a week when he wakes once.
We have the same bedtime routine every night - dinner, bath, bottle, bed.
Bottle at night is anywhere between 200-300mls.
Eats great during the day so isn't hungry.
Wakes wet through at least once a week - so wakes at 5am rather than closer to 5.30am.
Goes to bed at anywhere between 5.45pm - 6.30pm most nights. He is in full time daycare so is often ready for bed then - will take himself off to bed e.g stands up his cot, arms up waiting to be put in.
Has 2 x 1.5 hour sleeps in the day.
Right any advice or tips please 
|
|
|
 |
|
Sponsored Links
|
|
|
xLUCKYx
Senior Member
Joined: 30 September 2007
Location: Waitakere
Points: 2340
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 19 May 2009 at 10:40am |
Hi Peanut!
Will be good to get this sorted soon! Gabriell was 17months when I had Tane and she was on pretty much the same sleep routine - 2 1.5hr sleeps, but she would go to bed at 7 and wake at bout 6.
It's about the age that toddlers usually drop on eof their sleeps. It can be pretty hard transitioning from 2 down to 1 and lots of trying times in between but will be great for you to do before #2 arrives 
I would try and keep him up for longer in the morning and work towards getting him to have one longer sleep at around midday or early afternoon. Then see if you can keep him up till 6:30-7.
There is also a chapter on sleep problems in the baby whispere solves all your problems and has a theory called 'wake to sleep' but can't remember what to do on that one...
Good Luck!
|
|
Peanut
Senior Member
Joined: 01 January 1900
Location: Christchurch
Points: 3649
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 19 May 2009 at 10:43am |
|
Opps, should have added in that I have tried keeping him up later at night but it makes no difference and he still wakes at the same time.
Have also tried the one sleep thing during the day but will only sleep for an hour - Do i perserve with that?
|
|
|
|
xLUCKYx
Senior Member
Joined: 30 September 2007
Location: Waitakere
Points: 2340
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 19 May 2009 at 10:48am |
|
I would - it was so hard when Gabz was 'transitioning'. Maybe look at some more ideas on how to drop the second sleep. we weren't a good examplpe as Tane had already arrived when we went through it all and I just took each day as it came. Sometimes she would have her one sleep and then fall asleep really early at night only to wake with a second wind. It took a good month to get into the sleep routine we have now which is
7am wake up
12pm nap for 1.5 hours (sometimes 2 if lucky as)
7-7:30pm bed
We usually have quiet book time in the afternoons if she gets a bit ratty or quiet cuddles - it's usually enough to 're-charge' without needing a sleep.
|
|
Mum2ET
Senior Member
Joined: 30 August 2007
Location: Whangaparaoa
Points: 3850
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 19 May 2009 at 12:25pm |
yeah I would try just having 1 sleep during the day as well.
We went through a stage when Ella woke up 5/5.30 every morning and once I dropped one of her daysleeps she started waking at 7 again.
I found that by 11 Ella was really tired so often put her down for her sleep then and she had a late lunch afterwards- (however if he in daycare that might not be possible, as I imagine that would wait until after lunch).
|
|
Mum to
Ella (5) and Tom (2)
|
|
mamanee
Senior Member
Joined: 01 January 1900
Location: Hamilton
Points: 2244
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 19 May 2009 at 12:39pm |
|
Sam dropped one of his sleeps at about 15 months old and a few months ago dropped the other one which sucks, but I find if he wakes earlier than 5AM then there is a better chance of him going back to sleep until at least 7-8AM, but if it's any time after 5:AM there is no chance.
There is a theory that if you go into their bedroom, rouse them a little bit and change them at around 4-4:30AM then they will sleep longer, but I've never tried it as I don't want to get out of bed at that time!!
Sam is a heavy wetter during the night and wets through at least once or twice a week which causes him to wake extra early too, but I haven't been able to stop him from doing that.
Also, on the mornings he wakes at 5:AM, it's still dark so I make sure not to turn the light on, speak softly to him and put him back to bed quietly and leave the room. (Only sometimes does this work)
|
|
Babe
Senior Member
Joined: 21 May 2007
Location: New Zealand
Points: 2936
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 19 May 2009 at 1:39pm |
|
Try the sleepstore website for some tips. I personally wouldn't change his naptimes til he begins not settling. Jake only dropped his morning nap about 3 months a go but absolutely needed it until then. He also woke up regularly at 5.30 (not that I'd get up for him lol no way) but we used the sleepstore sleep tips to move his bedtime and extend his waking up time IYKWIM.
Hope you sort it out though!
|
|
|
|
Peanut
Senior Member
Joined: 01 January 1900
Location: Christchurch
Points: 3649
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 19 May 2009 at 1:45pm |
|
I just had a quick flick of "The sleep store" articles but didn't really find too much that was of help to me - do you remember what article it was?
I am kinda hesitant to drop one of his sleeps as he goes back down at about 8.30 as is beyond help by them. with his day sleeps he is out to it in about 5 mins so not sure he is ready for one. Does anyone know what the signs are to drop a sleep?
|
|
|
|
Nikki
Senior Member
Joined: 02 October 2003
Location: West Auckland
Points: 2279
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 19 May 2009 at 3:17pm |
|
Jake used to be a really heavy wetter when he was still having a bottle at night (has had a cup since 18 months so drinks a bit less) and I had to use a cloth nap over huggies so he didn't wake wet through! You could try that?
It sounds to me like he is in bed a little early - you can only expect him to sleep about 11 hours over night now at his age (12 max) so what he is doing is normal. If he was in bed about 7/7.30 for at least a week, you'd probably find he starts sleeping later.
I also think he should probably be down to one nap. Jake was "by the book" and dropped his just over 12 months .... and I found we just gradually pushed it out til after lunch and the nap got longer as he was more tired, and eventually his bedtime could be extended to 7.30pm too which helps with the early wakings (he wakes at 6.30 now, instead of the 6 it was when going to bed at 7pm).
Hope that helps!
|
|
DS (5yrs) and DD (3yrs)
|
|
kebakat
Senior Member
Joined: 01 January 1900
Location: Palmy North
Points: 10980
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 19 May 2009 at 3:22pm |
|
I think I agree with what Nikki said.
Daniels routine has been forat least the last 8 months... get up sometime between 7-8, nap straight after lunch and bedtime at 7-730
The reason hes buggered by 830 is that he's up really early. Like Nikki said it might take a week but if you pushed out that bedtime and cut back to one day sleep it shoudl right itself. It would mean probably 1 grumpy day but hopefully after that it should start to improve as he gets used to it.
|
|
kebakat
Senior Member
Joined: 01 January 1900
Location: Palmy North
Points: 10980
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 19 May 2009 at 3:25pm |
|
I think I agree with what Nikki said.
Daniels routine has been forat least the last 8 months... get up sometime between 7-8, nap straight after lunch and bedtime at 7-730
The reason hes buggered by 830 is that he's up really early. Like Nikki said it might take a week but if you pushed out that bedtime and cut back to one day sleep it shoudl right itself. It would mean probably 1 grumpy day but hopefully after that it should start to improve as he gets used to it.
|
|
Mum2ET
Senior Member
Joined: 30 August 2007
Location: Whangaparaoa
Points: 3850
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 19 May 2009 at 7:06pm |
another suggestion is to reduce his afternoon nap, as this is the nap he should eventually drop. I let her sleep as long as she wanted in the morning and then the afternoon I started waking her after an hr. Gradually she started having the morning sleep later and later and didn't need the afternoon nap.
In regards to the early bedtime, Ella goes to bed at 6.30 every evening so I don't know if this woud make a huge difference, but may be worth a try.
|
|
Mum to
Ella (5) and Tom (2)
|
|
myfullhouse
Senior Member
Joined: 29 July 2007
Location: West Auckland
Points: 2944
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 19 May 2009 at 8:47pm |
|
In addition to what the others have said you could try "No cry sleep solution for toddlers", it has a chapter on early waking although I haven't read it as it isn't a prob for us.
I agree with Nikki that 11-12hrs is normal for nighttime sleep and that pushing out bedtime for a week may mean he sleeps later. It takes 7-10days in general to change a routine so it would pay to stick with it for a while.
Another possibility is that some kind of noise is waking him at 5/5.30am eg morning traffic, train, someone getting ready for work etc. We found this with Jack. We play music all night (you could set a radio to start just before 5am if you prefer) in Jack's room, it doesn't drown out the noises but they aren't so obvious so are less likely to wake him
|
|
|
|
kakapo
Senior Member
Joined: 04 July 2008
Location: Hokitika
Points: 1314
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 19 May 2009 at 8:51pm |
Hi Peanut  .
Sounds like Mac generally has a good routine going, but it would be a lot easier for your family if the whole routine could shift forward 2 hours?
Have a look at this page about moving from 2 to 1 naps per day. There are other threads on shifting routines etc.
Would you consider giving Mac less milk in his bedtime bottle (and perhaps increasing the amount he gets during the day to compensate)? Jimmy drinks 400ml max per day now: 150 ml at morning tea, same for afternoon tea, then 100 mls just before bed. He hasn't woken up wet for ages (fx).
Best of luck .
|
|
Peanut
Senior Member
Joined: 01 January 1900
Location: Christchurch
Points: 3649
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 20 May 2009 at 9:14am |
|
Thanks for all your advice, ladies.
At this stage I am going to leave him at 2 sleeps but try and extend his bed time. Attempted it last night but he ended up asleep on the couch at 5.45pm!
|
|
|
|
freckle
Senior Member
Joined: 03 December 2008
Points: 4773
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 20 May 2009 at 10:50am |
It's sooo hard to change their routines isn't it... My girl is the same - although not quite as early... she's in bed at 6.30 at night and up about 6. I would sooo much rather keep her up for an extra hour but I have tried many times and she still wakes at the same time in the morning... Holly has cut down to one sleep (despite me trying to continue with her afternoon nap!) - which she has at 9:30 each day and that has made no difference either so I wouldn't rush cutting his day time sleeps back...
What I have done is put books and things at the end of her cot and she will often wake up and play with them for 20 mins or so before she starts yelling "muuuuuuuuuuuum" ... I hear her happily chatting away
|
|
mum to 3 lovely girls :D
|
|
sally belly
Senior Member
Joined: 01 February 2007
Location: North Shore, Auckland
Points: 3291
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 20 May 2009 at 12:36pm |
|
From what you've said I don't think Mac is ready for 1 day sleep just yet. Just before Liam swapped to 1 sleep he'd take forever (an hour or more) to fall asleep in the morning so eventually I gave up trying.
No doubt he's tiring himself out at DC & really needs to go to bed when he does. Trying to extend his bedtime out til 7/7.30 sounds like it would be a bit tricky...
But poor you, 5/5.30 wake-ups are tough when you really need your sleep.
|
|
|
|
myfullhouse
Senior Member
Joined: 29 July 2007
Location: West Auckland
Points: 2944
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 20 May 2009 at 12:57pm |
|
If you want to try and push out bedtime could you start this on a weekend or a day that he doesn't go to daycare? You could make sure that it is a quiet calm day so that he is not quite so tired in the evening.
Is it possible to push out his 2nd nap a bit so that he sleeps a little later in the day so that he may not be tired quite so early
|
|
|
|
Peanut
Senior Member
Joined: 01 January 1900
Location: Christchurch
Points: 3649
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 20 May 2009 at 1:36pm |
|
At the moment he goes down at about 8.30 -9am for his morning nap and then again at 1-1.30pm for his afternoon nap.
I can't really change the time of his afternoon nap as I get there to pick him up between 3.30 and 4. I get so excited about seeing him that I would hate to loiter at work purely waiting for him to wake up.
I am not convinced that he is ready for one sleep as he is always asleep in 5-10 mins and is def not fighting it but I def think that is due to being so full on at daycare.
I am going to try and extend his bedtime by 15 mins every couple of nights until its about 7-7.30 - then see if that makes a difference.
Keeping him up hasn't made a difference in the past but its usually only been for 3-4 nights in a row so will stick with it for a wee bit longer and see how we go.
Thanks again for all your input. I really appreciate it!! I am starting to wonder if he is just a morning person and we are not!!
|
|
|
|
Nikki
Senior Member
Joined: 02 October 2003
Location: West Auckland
Points: 2279
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 21 May 2009 at 9:15am |
|
Good luck with pushing the bedtime out. It should work if you stick with it for at least a week. But just remember ... he needs about 13 hours or so sleep a day in total at his age ... so if you are letting him sleep for 3 hours during the day, you can't expect 13 hours over-night - that would mean 16 hours in total which is what a young bub needs, not a toddler. I guess there is a payoff for all that day sleep .... and that is he either needs to be in bed late to wake at a decent hour, or he will wake early as he has had enough sleep. And you just have to work out what would be best for your family (less day sleep and more night sleep, or having him up tired in the evening for a while, or continue to get up before the crack of dawn!). Good luck!
|
|
DS (5yrs) and DD (3yrs)
|
|
Early Waking! Help please!
