26mo girl wakes at 5am for the day

[polarbear73]

My DD2 has always alternated between sleeping until a reasonable hour and waking at 5am but this time its lasted for 5 months. She wakes early so we have been going to her room to say be quiet but this goes on for 45 mins until we then bring her to our bed as we don't want to wake DD1. It got worse in Nov when we had builders in so very little day time sleep and got a bit better once her lunch sleep started again. Its been really bad tho since Xmas with some 4.30am starts so I have banned day time sleep 3 days ago to see if it helps. She is however so tired in day. Any tips welcome! Is she overtired, not tired enough or being a monkey?

[JaynieB]

My DP has a technique he uses - he simply tells DD its not time to get up yet and puts her back to bed, no fuss at all, no cuddles, no chat. Note this does not work if I try and do it!
Yesterday she woke at 7.20 (not at all bad I hear you say) but was persuaded very easily to go back and sleep a bit more! You never know it might work.

[LoveBeingAMummy]

Sounds like an obvious one but is it dark enough in there. I always thought DDs room was dark enough but after DH moved it around last weekend she's been sleeping till after 8am if i let her when she would get up at 5am most of the time. This was down to her groegg.

[castlesintheair]

Sound's familiar. I'd persevere with no daytime sleeping and eventually it should have a knock-on effect on night-time and later waking in the morning. How are the curtains/blinds in her room? Not really applicable right now but something to consider.

I just used to let mine get into bed with me though when they woke early. You get used to it and can still sleep/doze. I think it's lovely anyway, especially with the benefit of hindsight

[JaynieB]

The darkness of the room really helps - DD willing to believe its still sleepingtime as room has blackout blinds and a dim nightlight.

[sjcmum]

So what do you do when they share a room with older sibling who has suddenly decided she doesn't like the dark?

[JaynieB]

That's not helpful is it!!!