13 month old waking at 5am screaming

[Ladywithababy1]

I know this topic has probably been done to death but I am really struggling. DS is very energetic and on the go all day, so he settles down to sleep at 7pm every evening no problems. We don't hear a peep from him all night but then around 5am all hell breaks loose! We get him absolutely screaming the house down.

I know we shouldn't have, but we started to give him a bottle when he woke then in the hope he would then go back down, and it worked for a week or so, but now he just screams and screams regardless of whether he had a bottle or not.

To be fair it has been quite a full on 6 weeks what with me returning to work, him starting nursery, birthday, Christmas, trips away for Christmas and New Year etc, so maybe he just needs to settle back into a routine, but I am wondering whether ten hours sleep is what he is ok with and whether we just have to accept it? Is there anything we can do?

[DrewsWife]

My DS does this. I quickly make up a bottle. Hand it to him and slink back to bed. It gives me either 1 or two hours more.

[PennyHasNoSurname]

Drews OP has already said she does that and it isnt working.

One thing we have found works with ds (14mo) is to go to him in the dark, lay him down, and lay a heavy hand on his chest ot back. No talking or eye contact and just stay there til he calms. Leave. Repeat if needed.

[Bellejournee]

Our 13 month old is doing this at the moment - 4.20am today. I remember our three year old did it too around the same age - I always put it down to a possible development leap?

[Ladywithababy1]

Thanks both. The problem is that if I do go and try to settle him (or DH does) then he goes even madder as he basically wants to play.

This morning was the usual and I am now lying on the sofa with DS asleep on top of me. He shouldn't already be back asleep but I could y stop him.

I am wondering whether to try and do CC again but have no idea whether that would work for early wake ups?

[Ladywithababy1]

X post belle he is very very close to walking so I did wonder if it was developmental. Also he has severe separation anxiety at the moment which won't be helping.

Dreading going back to work tomorrow!

[Ladywithababy1]

Bumping as another 5.15 wake up this morning and we are both going to be zombies at work!

[rudolphistheboss]

Does he have a nightlight? My 14 month old has been settled in a routine of 5.30am starts for about 4 months, since he started confidently walking. He has no time for sleep now and just wants to play! But then he doesn't nap til 10am. If your ds is falling asleep again before 7 it sounds like he does need the extra. When my DD did this I used to stick her in bed next to me and she'd go back to sleep, have you tried that? No conversation or interaction other than picking up and putting in bed. Otherwise does he like music? Could you set a radio playing quietly on bbc3, leave lights off and return him to bed, keep going til he realises he needs to settle? (the time should get quicker!) good luck

[icklekid]

I'm afraid 17 month ds has only slept until 5.30am (unless up in the night) and similar goes to bed very easily at 7. He has an hour nap in morning and 2 in afternoon. We've just learnt to cope I'm afraid - it's mornings like today when he was wide awake at 3.30 I despair and do controlled crying to get him back to sleep...still awake at 5.30!

[icklekid]

Should add morning naps is 8.30ish and I bring him into our bed to try so don't have to get up until 6

[Ladywithababy1]

Thank you so much. Will definitely try the night light and some soft music. 5.02 this morning so am getting desperate! If I try and pick him up and bring him into bed with us in the dark he just gets overexcited and wants to play. So I definitely think he needs to stay in his cot. Will try your ideas and pray for success otherwise I think my work may start to query whether I am fit for purpose!