Resetting a baby's nody clock

[lookout]

My 14 month old has got into a habit of waking at 5-5.30 and it is killing me. We've already had help from a sleep consultant to get him sleeping through the night and this same consultant has suggested we try resetting his body clock to get him sleeping a bit later.

What she says is to cut his lunchtime nap in hal and put him to bed 1.5 hours later than usual. I am concerned that it will be an absoulte nightmare. He is already pretty tired as it is by 7pm and I have no idea how I would keep him going any longer.

Here's the link to the advice, I would adapt it slightly as he's still only little here

Anyone tried anyhting like this?

[monkeychambers]

I have a 14 month also who has a habit of doing this, usually does it for 3-4 days and then is back to 6-7am starts for a few days, then back to 5. I agree its a horrible time to be up for the day.

If I tried to keep him up 1.5 hours after his usual bedtime it would be worse as he would be so overtired he just wouldn't be able to go to sleep.

Also he's tired from about 5:30 so if we can hold him off until 7 for bed we've done well. He's happiest and sleeps best if he's in bed for 6:45.

Will watch this thread....

[monkeychambers]

If it makes you feel any better mine very very rarely sleeps through....

[lookout]

Just realised my typo . body bviously, not nody....

[lookout]

Oh for goodness sake. It doesn't get any better.

monkey We are exactly the same here. I am so skeptical but she assures me it will work. We are on day one. I cheated and let him sleep an hour and a half at lunchtime, but he's still up now, just about to go for a bath and seems to be coping better than I thought. Will let you know what happens

[SkiBumMum]

My 14mo is waking at 5ish too. Maybe it's a phase again. Our nanny put her to bed at 6.15 so I'm not looking fwd to tmw morning at all!

[SkiBumMum]

Read the advice. Seems to fly in the face of all the sleep breeds sleep advice I've ever received!

[lookout]

I know! But she is so certain it will work!

This evening was actually better than I thought it would be. He's just fallen asleep with no fuss at all, which is really weird considering we're 1.5 hours later than his usual bedtime

Will see hhow it all goes tomorrow and let you know. If it does work I will not only eat my hat but also tell everyone with early wakers that they must try it!

[monkeychambers]

Sounds like its going well so far, let me know if it working...will have to consider it.

[hufflepuffle]

.

[lookout]

Well yesterday, Tuesday was harder. He was reallt tired in the evening and only managed until 8pm. He woke at 5.30 though, when I waited til he cried, did my usual 3 then 15 minutes visits then gave up and fed him. He fell asleep while feeding and then slept in his cot til 7.30 . Not sure is this is an improvement or not?

Tonight we're full steam ahead for 8.30 bedtime. Will report back tomorrow, though again I am skeptical.

[lookout]

Well, it seems to have worked! He woke at 5.30, cried out once then went back to sleep until 6.45. I consider this a success but will wait to see what tomorrow brings.

How many times does it need to happen in a row before you accept it has worked!

[loveisagirlnameddaisy]

I would say I agree with the cutting the nap in half but not the putting to bed later. But that's just me. IMO, a lot of early waking at this age is caused by naps - either they're too long or at the wrong time of day.