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Up at 5 - it's killing me.

5 replies

7IsALieIn · 15/02/2014 06:30

Looking for any advice.

11 mth old DC2 has been getting up between 4.50 and 5.10 every morning for a month now. I'm really struggling.

He is getting no where near enough sleep, between the hours of 5 am and bedtime at 6.30 he sleeps 3 hours (4 yesterday, hoping it becomes a habit!). He can't stay awake any longer as lunchtime nap ends at 2 and he's knackered by 6.30. Trying to keep him up later ends up a disaster as he gets over tired.

He eats really well, and gets out everyday. Have a toddler as well, so no rest for me during the day.

I know people deal with a lot less sleep but it's really affecting me I'm getting so short tempered and irritable.

Anything I can do to encourage more sleep?

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SayCheesePlease · 15/02/2014 07:12

my son is an early riser to and i remember one morning, clearly tipped over the edge, i refused to wake up at 5am!!

is the room your ds sleeps in dark enough, i think the first rays of sunshine was what caused my ds to have his early starts.

i would settle him down for his nap later in the afternoon, the trick is routine, and once thats settled, the rest is easy

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7IsALieIn · 15/02/2014 08:42

Thanks - they share a room, and DC1 happily sleeps til 7. I think that's what makes it so maddening, I know it's not too light, too cold or too warm!

I do know what you mean, I try to knock things on later, but it just ends up with him completely overtired and screaming. For eg, his first nap is at 8-9/9.30 - that's when lots of babies are going down for 1st nap! Then afternoon is 12.30-2.

I agree it's that thing where if he slept longer in the day I bet he would sleep later in the morning, but don't know where to start.

Thanks for reading tho.

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altogetherwonderful · 15/02/2014 08:52

I had one like that OP. Sympathies.

This time I'm determined to use Baby Whisperer 'pickup put down' to get sleeping sorted.

  1. Put child into cot sleepy but awake after a bath, good feed & 10 mins awake time(book/toy)


  1. if they cry & stand up, stay by their cot pick up, gently say 'time to sleep' & kiss, then lay baby down. Stay by the cot quietly (no need to leave the room)


  1. Repeat


First time will prob take 20 mins, picking up 44 times! This is normal.
Second time less & so on

(Google it for more info)

Make a note of their nap times/bedtimes also so you can look back & see your progress
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altogetherwonderful · 15/02/2014 08:56

Maybe start evening routine earlier?

So dinner at 4.30, bath around 5.30, quiet book together in dimly lit room at 6 for just 10 mins

Then into cot by 6.15?

Also outside time during day? Fresh air/carbs for dinner/banana induces relaxed state serotonin levels

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7IsALieIn · 15/02/2014 10:13

Hmmm have been thinking about getting him to bed earlier. DH is adamant that it's sheer lunacy tho! I'm a true believer in the whole "sleep begets sleep" thing.

Thanks for your thoughts!

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