Starting sleeping through but now early waking

[tinierclanger]

DS (just over 9 months) has finally got the hang of it and is sleeping through some (although not all) nights - hurrah! However he is waking very early - yesterday around 5.10, today around 4.50 - yuck! Until a few weeks ago, when most nights were still broken, he would also wake early, we would routinely bring him into bed and then he would go back to sleep for another half an hour or so. But this isn't working any more! I'm not sure whether he has just had enough sleep or not - he's a bit grumpy but will cuddle up for a good while, and if I feed him, he is fine.

He's also suddenly elongated the interval until his morning nap to four hours, which I guess does indicate he's not really waking up tired - and he's also shunted his lunchtime nap back to later.

Do I just need to put him to bed later? I tried that last night - he does have a very early bedtime, as was just getting knackered and melting down if we left it any later, was having bath at 5.45, last night we left it till 6 and he seemed ok with that. But as I say he woke up even earlier this morning! And is now having a long nap - he was a very short napper and only used to have 30-40 mins every morning but he's been asleep for well over an hour now.

Sorry for long rambling post but am all muddled up now. His sudden change in routine has really thrown me! Plus I am back to work next week and need to work out what it is he needs in terms of day naps so I can leave instructions for everyone else...

This could have been me that wrote this post! my dd is the same age and wakes early - sleeps well but wakes early ~ if I fed her she used to go back to sleep but not anymore .....he isnt hungry is he? I was thinking of doing a top up after my bf tonight to see if that made any difference...I also go back to work next week and have to get up at 6am so the idea of waking earling than that then working a 12 hour day isnt too appealing!!! dd is ready to drop at 6.30pm and she sleeps for 2 naps, half hour about 9am and then 2 hours around 1pm...HTH!

What time is bedtime?

Thanks spider, I don't think it's hunger, although it could be. He is eating a huge amount at the moment come to think of it though, so maybe it could be a growth spurt and it's to do with that.

Bedtime is currently about 6.15 - 6.30, about half an hour after bathtime. It does seem very early and I would like to try to make it later anyway as that way I will get a little time with him once I get in from work.

I shall hold back on the envy (my DS only recently started sleeping thoough at 2+2 - at 9 months he was up at least 3 times in the night) and suggest that
a) thats just when he wakes up I'm afraid (my DS when he did start sleeping better with one or no wakes always woke at 5ish) and he will gradually sleep longer of his own accord (DS can now last until 7am some mornings before yelling for milk)

b) something more constructive like trying dream feeds about 11ish to make sure his tummy is full

b) trying wake to sleep method to try and reset his body clock

c) making sure all windows shut and blackouts on so he's not waking up with the sound of the birds singing/the light

d) doing what you're doing with bedtime, but each night knock it back a little (maybe later by 10/15 minutes each night) - If he still wakes early then go back to original plan- you might as well have some 'you' time on an evening if he's going to wake early anyway.

Ooh, you've got two b)'s there! Doh!

and when I said 'something more constructive' I was refering to my relevant, but extremely unhelpful a) comment!

Thanks lynnie! Believe me I KNOW how lucky we are, and if waking early is the price of the sleeping through I will take it.

I don't want to mess with things too much so no dream feed. He does have a sort of blackout but it's not a total one, but he used to do the waking early even before the light mornings so I think it's more associated with his body clock. But I may try and improve the blackout, and carry on tinkering a bit with bedtime just to test. And sneak in another quick snack just before his bath, that could be worth a try.

If he starts consistently waking at the same time every day, I may try wake-to-sleep - bit scared of anything that involves waking him up though!

Just wanted to report back, my dd woke at 6am this am which is an improvement on normal 5ish, she took 2 oz of milk after normal bf so I think she is getting too tired to take a full feed at bedtime - I really kept her awake until 7pm last night..I have a feeling she is just going to be an early waker ~ she is quite a lively little one! Is he getting active?

Definitely investigate light/noise as well. My DS started sleeping through a month ago - but only until 5.30/6. Then we went to stay at Granny's and he slept in a new travel cot in a strange place (but with double glazing and blinds) - and three nights in a row he slept 7-7. Then we got home...and it's back to 5.30/6. So now I am working on eliminating the sun that streams through...if that doesn't work I'll brick up the windows.

I think it is hunger actually - the last two mornings he has woken at 4.30, I've given him a feed and he has gone back to sleep till around 6. I'll carry on doing it for a while, to see if it's a growth spurt, then try cutting down on that early feed again!