Why does DS wake at 4.30 everyday and how do I get hm to stay in bed and go back to sleep???

[Twinkie1]

Am desperate - DS is 2 - his B'day was in November - he is in a bed with a guard at the side and a stair gate on his door because he thought it amusing to dive head first out of his cot and DH and I decided that it wasn't a great idea for him to do this on a long term basis!!

He slept great in his cot and used to wake between and 7.30 each morning which I could cope with but now its 4.30 every morning and it is driving me nuts - I officially need some sleep!!

The heating doesn't wake him up because it doesn;t come on until 5am and there is no noise form inside or outside the house - so why does he wake up???

Ideas as to why he wakes up and a plan of action to get him to sty in bed or just go back to sleep would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks Tx

BUMP

i have a 6 month old so no experience of toddlers yet but i have heard about those alarm clocks you can get where the light comes on when it's time to wake mummy and daddy. I always thought they sounded like a good idea should i need them later.....!

also was reading on sleep recently and some suggestions i saw for toddlers were to do things that give them the message that this is mummy and daddy sleepy time still ie if you get up with them, keep lights low, take your duvet to front room and snooze on sofa while toddler plays etc etc.

anyway as i said no experience at all but hopefully others will have had practical experience and can maybe be more helpful?

This week my ds (2) has been waking around 5am and think you may have the answer for me - the heating coming on! Will try to change this!

As for your problem, will he not play in his room? When my ds wakes early I will give him a cup of milk, change his nappy, and leave him in his room to play! He also has a tv/vid in his room for this reason too, I just put teletubbies on, and go back to bed! He does come in our room to 'check on us', but he goes back to his room. He wouldn't go back to sleep once he is awake.

(I have to say though that he is also still in his cot and if he wakes really early I will leave him in his cot with toys -we keep wimping out of this one)