2 yo wanting to get up at 4am

[BigBird8784]

My 2 yo DD for the last week has been wanting to get up at 4am or there abouts. We've tried everything. Sitting with her til she falls asleep, bringing her into our bed, bringing her into a different bed, no naps during the day, going to bed late but nothing is working. It's causing absolute war in the house. We are so tired that there's usually a screaming match before DP usually just gives up and brings her downstairs. Patience is not my strong point but I haven't an ounce left with this child and DP, who is much more easy going than me, is at his with end. Please someone help

Is she still in a cot? TBH if I was in your shoes I'd just leave her in her room after telling her it's still sleepytime and try to get back to sleep (or at least lie down and rest). And absolutely, definitely no playing until a sensible hour.

Have a look at Gro-clocks too - I have one but don't really need it, but lots of people swear by them.

Could it be sunlight or heat

Yeah confused and employed, I thinks that's definitely the way to go. I'm thinking about buying a Gro clock too. purplemurple1its definitely not light. All that's on is a small night light a d she has blackout curtains. Pretty sure it's not heat either. The hearing isn't turned back on yet.

To be fair as it's been a week and you've tried lots of different techniques including giving in to screaming DD probably doesn't help.

Go back to giving her a nap in the day - sleep breeds sleep, and she is very probably sleep deprived at the moment, go back to her normal bedtime, and come up with a strategy between you and DH as to what you will do - I would either do controlled crying or lie next to her in the dark, no discussion etc until she goes back to sleep. Do this every night - treat it like a night waking rather than the morning [as that is what it is]

Waking her up this week?

Otherwise could she have a toy, water left in her cot and a grow clock so she has something to do before its time to get up.

ouch.
i would get a gro clock, even if it just gives her the idea that you are not coming in till the sun is up. make sure there are few books etc at end of cot and just leave her to it. put ear plugs in if she screams!
when she wakes i would simply go in, say oops sun is not up. back to sleep, mummy will come and get you when the sun is up....and leave!!

Yup, I think going in once and explaining it's not time is the way to go. Then it's earplugs all the way! Thanks again ladies

Are you sure it isn't light? My dc's room has double blackout blinds but you still get leakage of light.

Also what about the cold - the temp drops at around 3am and she might be gradually cooling down making it harder for her to get back to sleep.

Other things to consider is whether there's a noise waking her e.g. traffic or an alarm or something.

I have the curtains crossed over each other and tucked behind the radiator so no light, there's very little noise coz the estate is a quiet one and the main road is a bit away but I've put the heating on tonight so hopefully if it's that she'll sleep through!

We had this. Groclock is great. Ds got it within days, with lots of reminding that if he woke up and saw the star he had to cuddle teddy and go back to sleep.

Definitely put the heating on, 4am is a real flash point for ds and if it's ever colder than expected overnight that's when he wakes.

Good luck!

We have this too. No ideas, just sympathy. DD ignores the Groclock, keeps us both awake if she comes into our bed, and I would have no idea how to keep her confined to her room other than by closing the door on her, which seems cruel. Good luck with cracking it.