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Parenting

For free parenting resources please check out the Early Years Alliance's Family Corner.

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Original poster

Early Riser

6 replies

cobtree · 03/12/2007 08:44

My 2 year old son has gone from sleeping through the night to waking up at 4 or 5 o'clock raring to go! We have tried going into him and telling him its too early but he is able to scream and shout for 2+ hours and by that time its time to get up anyway. Not sure if he's becoming afraid of the dark or if he is just bored in his cot and wants to play. His naps in the day have been longer as a result and so this impacts on night time sleep! HELP!! Any suggestions? I am 12 weeks pregnant and so want to avoid bringing him into bed with us.

OP posts:

SquonkaClaus · 03/12/2007 09:10

did you say naps in the plural? if so, that's definitely what's doing it - cut down to one, or even lose them completely.

mylittleponey · 03/12/2007 09:26

Stop the naps habit - just a short rest in the afternoon.

nailpolish · 03/12/2007 09:28

you could stop the naps. i know how great it is to have those naps - you get some peace to yourslef for a while but its not worth it. a rest in front of a dvd for 30 mins or so instead.

my 2 were in proper single beds by age 2 - if they woke early i used to say it was ok to get up and put bedside light on and read or play with a quiet toy for a while.

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amidaiwish · 03/12/2007 10:04

how many naps is he having?

get them down to 1 x 45 min max

you may have a horrible couple of weeks while he adjusts, but battle through!

i find swimming or a long walk is often needed too, wear them out physically.

Pheebe · 03/12/2007 13:49

i agree with nailpolish, you could try putting a little basket of quiet toys and books along with a beaker of water in his room for him if he gets up early. we also put a timer on his light and told him that if the light was off when he woke up it was still nighttime and he should go back to sleep but if it was on he could call for us to come and get him. start with it 15 minutes after he normally wakes and gradually lengthen it. definitely cut the naps down, by 2 DS1 was having one nap in the afternoon. if he doesn't want to sleep use it as quiet time again with a basket of quiet toys/books.
good luck and congratulations
phee

Smee · 03/12/2007 14:12

Timer lights are good: made ours feel grown up and he liked being in control (or so he thinks!) Then just insist and stay calm about it - the wailing with our DS lasted for a couple of early mornings, but once he realised we meant it he was fine. Also it meant he didn't wake up as much as he knew there was no point, so started dropping off to sleep again. Do stop the naps though. You'll have a v. grumpy boy late afternoon, but it's definitely worth it.

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