Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

What are you actually supposed to do when your child wakes at 3:45am???

82 replies

Usners · 15/06/2024 06:24

He wakes up at 3:45 and will not go back to sleep. He’s 19 months. Been happening for around 3 months, not every night but at least 3 or 4 times a week. He will wake to breastfeed at 1am then back up at 3:45 for the day. I hate my life.

OP posts:
BrooookeDavis · 15/06/2024 06:30

You have to keep it boring - no TV, entertainment or toys. Give him no reason to want to wake. It's easier said than done when you're broken but if you have support take it in turns until a new habit is formed.

You might also want to try adjusting his naps/routine during the day. As it's summer (ish) can you take him for a walk before bedtime routine?

Feel for you op, sleep deprivation is brutal.

tweetypi · 15/06/2024 06:30

Agree, either stay in the room in the dark with him or alternatively bring him into your room to co-sleep. Definitely don't play with him/take him downstairs or it will reinforce his new routine!

Shattereddreamsparkway · 15/06/2024 06:29

I’d stop the breastfeed as he doesn’t need it he is doing it for comfort.
then look at the naps in the day. As he is waking up so early is he napping long? If so, I’d cut it down and then start bedtime earlier. Every-time he wakes at 345, put him back to bed. Consistency is key. I’ve been there. He‘s now nearly four and sleeps through, but still has occasional wake ups. Good luck, it is so tough.

AperolWhore · 15/06/2024 06:29

You do not take him out of the room, you rock him back to sleep repeating its sleepy time and repeat until he falls back asleep. You repeat this every night through the crying, screaming until it kicks in.

id also stop breastfeeding at 1am, offer a cup of water, it’ll be a rough few nights but it’ll stop and that’ll sleep through.

Original poster
Usners · 15/06/2024 06:28

Naps around an hour a day at lunchtime

tried changing bedtime but makes no difference. At the moment goes at 7:30

OP posts:
Hotttchoc · 15/06/2024 06:27

what time does he go to bed? How long does he nap?

tweetypi · 15/06/2024 06:27

You poor thing, that sounds hard! When you say he won't go back to sleep, what have you tried so far?

Swipe left for the next trending thread