3year old early wakes. Please help!!

[Flower20166]

Ok, so my just turned 3 year old used to have an hour nap on an afternoon but he started to wake super early (I'm talking anytime between 4-5.30, and not going back to sleep).

SO I cut out the nap and we got a couple of days of ) 6.30 wake ups which was great, but now he is back to waking early again.

Any ideas on what to do?
We have a gro clock and I don't go in until the sun is up (he plays with toys, but can be loud and he has a baby sister who then wakes up),

Also bedtime is 7pm and he does fall straight to sleep at that time now as he is so tired!

Thanks to anyone that has any advice I'm at my wits end and so tired x

Move bedtime back? It sometimes takes a couple of weeks for sleep pressure to build but eventually he'll be so tired he'll start getting his extra sleep in the mornings.

@WineInTheWillows thanks for the reply. How early would you suggest moving it back? 6.45 or earlier? And would I keep it at that or just do that for a few days.
Sleep is such a minefield 🤯

Lol, sorry, I meant a later bedtime. There was a thread on here not too long ago on the use of back/forward in time.

Can you not put his bed time back to 7.15-7.30?
My three year old doesn’t nap anymore, she goes to bed anytime between 7.30-8 and gets up at 6.30ish most days.
Today was an early morning as she needed a wee but usually it’s about 6.30am.

@WineInTheWillows @ListenLinda
Thankyou!! I will give it a try. He is exhausted by 7, but anything is worth a try.

My 3 year old is the same suddenly. Earlier bedtime/later bedtime makes no difference. Apparently a little sleep regression is normal at this age, plus recently dropping nap.

I’m thinking it’ll self correct when the clocks change at the end of this month!

Having the same issue here. My 3 year old is usually up around half 5 but it can be anywhere from half 4 onwards. Hes also dropped a nap. I've found moving his bedtime back hasnt made any difference, if anything it just makes him harder to deal with the next day as he's more tired. I'm hoping when the clocks change it makes a difference. Other than that I just insist on an hour of quiet time after lunch. We just snuggle on the sofa and he has a little rest which seems to calm him for the afternoon.

@Livingmagicallyagain @TiptopJ ahh yes I forgot about the clocks going forward. I might hold out until then and see if it helps.
I hope your little ones start sleeping later too!

@Flower20166 try doing it in 10 min intervals and increase it over a few days. He may be ratty at first but he will get used to it and start sleeping longer in the morning.
I wouldn’t recommend trying to keep him up too much longer past his bedtime at first as that can have the opposite effect (over tired) so yeah small intervals at first!

My DD is ready for bed any time after 7 but can hold off until 7.30 ish and is straight to sleep when she is put into bed.

Sorry pressed post too early

[quote ListenLinda]@Flower20166 try doing it in 10 min intervals and increase it over a few days. He may be ratty at first but he will get used to it and start sleeping longer in the morning.
I wouldn’t recommend trying to keep him up too much longer past his bedtime at first as that can have the opposite effect (over tired) so yeah small intervals at first![/quote]
Thanks I'll give it a go!

Also, soon the clocks will go forward an hour, which will help! I'm crossing my fingers for the same thing with my toddler...

I hope the clock change helped people!
My LO now wakes between 6.15-6.45 which is much more bearable!!