Both I and my partner work full-time so we're really struggling to cope with our 23mth dd waking at 4.30-5.30 every morning.
This started in the Christmas holidays when we thought it might be a one-off (or two!) and allowed her to come into bed and although dh drifts merrily back to sleep I find it impossible with the two of them snoring away and the odd little hand or arm flung painfully in my direction!
SO, having tried evrything else (and dabbled with the cc method) I bought a gro-clock which she just loves but is still waking and crying 'before the sun comes up'. When she wakes I or DH go in and say 'stars on your clock , time for sleep', pat and leave.
The thing is, as soon as we leave the room the crying turns into full-blown head-banging hysteria which gets worse with each comfort visit. I binned the cc. method and bought the clock as I wanted some way to explain the difference betw night and day to her, but all these doubts run through your head about how much she REALLY understands.
Just not sure whether to persevere, maybe visiting her once to explain and re-settle then let her cry (she can go on for over an hour, poor neighbours) or accept that this is another phase!