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Original poster

Sleeping through but waking at 5.30am - help!

36 replies

ChooChooItsAllAboutYou · 27/03/2020 06:24

My son started sleeping through every night a couple of weeks ago (which is amazing!), but he's waking up at the crack of dawn. He naps well through the day - one for 1.5hrs in the morning and one for 1-1.5hrs in the afternoon. He doesn't always nap for that amount of time, but most days I'm happy that he's napped okay and isn't exhausted by 7.30 when we put him down for the night. I know we're not doing badly but I would love to still be asleep past 6am! Has anyone any advice, please?

OP posts:
OhClover · 27/03/2020 06:29

How old is he?

TheLovleyChebbyMcGee · 27/03/2020 06:31

Watching with interest, my almost 19 month old is exactly the same!!!

yearinyearout · 27/03/2020 06:35

Pretty normal I'd say. My DS woke at 5.30 until he was about 2!

cleaning247 · 27/03/2020 06:37

My 6 year old still wakes at 5-530 🤬

Fatted · 27/03/2020 06:38

How old is he?

I'd hang off making any changes until the clocks go forward. Mine always got up earlier when it was lighter earlier.

If he's older than 12 months, I would try getting him down to one nap a day.

wherethecloudsaregoing · 27/03/2020 06:41

It’s what they do Smile

MowzersAsleep · 27/03/2020 06:41

My DD was 2 years old when she first slept through a whole night. If your DC is any younger than that, then I am very very envious.

AllTheCakes · 27/03/2020 06:42

If he is still a young toddler, it sounds like he might be having too much day sleep. I follow the Little Ones guide which advocates a very short morning nap of 10-15 minutes and then a long two hour lunch nap. I would try that rather than two long day naps as he is still napping twice but for a shorter period overall.

scrivette · 27/03/2020 06:45

DD is 2 and does this, if she wakes in the night she is up at 6/6.30 if she sleeps all night it's 5.

User24689 · 27/03/2020 06:48

My DS is 2.5. when he started sleeping through (a few months ago) he consistently woke at 4.30 every day so we cut his nap out. Now he does 7-6 which I think is reasonable. Basically he needs 11 hours sleep and I chose where I wanted it. I think it makes sense to do the same.

He struggles without the nap for maybe 2 weeks then developed the stamina to go through the afternoon. Just reset his body clock a bit. Age depending, it may be time to drop that nap.

Ullupullu · 27/03/2020 06:51

Sounds normal, in fact, sounds brilliant! Don't underestimate how great it is that he sleeps through. Go to bed earlier yourself For a while you and DP take turns to get up with him. We gave milk at that time but never breakfast

Original poster
ChooChooItsAllAboutYou · 27/03/2020 07:01

He's 11 months next week. Thank you for all of your replies! I know he's doing great. To be honest, we went from waking up 2/3 times a night to sleeping through, literally overnight. I have a gro blackout blind which I think helps, but I actually let him cry out one night because I knew he was fine, and the next night he slept through and it's just continued. I know it probably won't last! Babies eh!

OP posts:
IceKitten · 27/03/2020 07:05

Mine was an early riser too OP. Sending strength!

crazydiamond222 · 27/03/2020 07:10

The clocks go forward at the weekend. You could use that as an opportunity to change his schedule and put him down an hour later in the evening.

ButterflyWitch · 27/03/2020 07:13

I would have given my back teeth for my kids to sleep that well!

MsChatterbox · 27/03/2020 07:14

Don't change anything. Don't risk it. Be incredibly grateful for what you have!

treenu · 27/03/2020 07:17

Jeez, I think you're doing well!

I routinely get woken up between 4am and 6am with a 2yo and 5yo - no matter what time they go to bed.

Do other people have children that wake up later than 7am?

User24689 · 27/03/2020 07:19

Oh wow, 11 months. Ignore my advice then, he needs the nap. That sounds great for his age to be honest. I would just enjoy the full night sleep. It could all change again, for better or worse!

SkaLaLand · 27/03/2020 07:20

No advice op, except to embrace it. Both my children are in bed by 7 as they are tired (despite protestations) and eldest is up between 5 and 5.30 every day and always has been.
Anything I have tried to change (later bedtime, dropping naps ect) didn't work and just made them cranky. Smallest seems to need a little more sleep for now but is gradually getting earlier like their sibling.

So, I have had to adapt. I am in bed asleep by 10pm at the latest these days ready to be up at 5 but it won't be for long in the grand scheme of things.

One day I won't be able to get them out of their pit!

WellTidy · 27/03/2020 07:21

My 12 year old still wakes every day at about 5:30. He has always been like this, every day, since he was about 7 months. Always settled well in the evenings, slept through, but he was often awake then at 5am. When he was little, I adjusted by going to bed earlier myself.

Waiting1987 · 27/03/2020 07:21

You are very lucky to have an 11 month old sleeping through. An early wake up is normal for many children.

PhilsOsophy · 27/03/2020 07:25

My 9month old is the same, was going 6.30 to 6.30/7 but has started waking 5.30. He will just babble to himself in his cot until 6 and then whinge for me to go in. We are putting it down to teething as his cheeks are red, hoping he goes back to normal soon.
Hope it passes quick for you to OP .

CookPassBabtridge · 27/03/2020 07:42

My 3 year old still does. My oldest was about 5 when he slept in, now he sleeps till about 6.45am GrinIt's just kids. I expect they'll sleep later in the teen years!

ScissorsBike · 27/03/2020 07:48

Just get up with him at 5.30. What's the problem?

Fivefourthree · 27/03/2020 07:51

Welcome to parenthood Flowers Fingers crossed it changes when the clocks go forward.
I found the best thing was to embrace it, so you go to bed earlier if it's possible, and accept the early starts.
Give it a few years and you won't be able to get him out of bed in the morning!

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