Sleep habits are killing me !

Samantha - posted on 01/10/2011

My son has never been much of a sleeper (hates naps and maybe does 8-10 hrs a night), and he did the same thing....up at 4-4:30. What has helped me get usually an extra hour or so of sleep is making sure he is up and active after daycare, that he eats a good meal at dinner (especially protein) and that his room is cozy (i put up blankets on the window and slightly raised the thermostat). This has translated into more sleep for my husband and I. I know since your kids share a room that might be a factor, but thought I'd give my two cents :)

Lindsay - posted on 12/22/2010

My 18 month old does the same thing and always has! We have tried early bedtimes, later bedtimes, early naps, no naps, two naps, one nap, and it is always the same. She is up and singing EVERY morning at 4:30am, and then takes a 3 hour nap in the middle of the day. I totally understand where you are coming from when you say you are tired of being tired! I don't have a magical solution, but sadly, I am not sure there is one. Some kids are just early birds. I keep hoping mine will just grow out of it. No luck yet though!

Rebekah - posted on 12/22/2010

What happens if you just ignore them at 4:30am? Would they go back to sleep? We have a "7:00am rule" at our house and no children are allowed up until 7. My 18 month old doesn't always understand, but if she wakes at 6:30am I leave her in her crib until 7am.

Another suggestion would be to put them to bed EARLIER. If they are over-tired, (and they likely are) then their sleep will be more restless. Whenever my children get into a habit of waking too earlier the best thing for them is to make sure they are getting enough sleep: making sure they get naps, and 10-12 hours of sleep at night (even if it means putting them to bed at 5:30 so they'll sleep until 5:30).

Also check out the book, "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child."

Anita - posted on 12/21/2010

I was able to change my 18 month old early wake up calls using this technique. It's an amazing technique.
http://www.sleeplady.com/

Paula - posted on 12/20/2010

Is the room too cold or is there gaps in the curtains? light could be creeping in? can you put the younger one to sleep in your room or in a lounge room in the cot so she doesnt wake up the other child. i find my child has been sleeping in as I have cut down his day nap to an hour and he goes to bed at 830pm up at 830 am. well good luck

Autumn - posted on 12/16/2010

tht is really good idea ! change there routine a little ! it think im trying tht tonight ! thanks so much !

Elizabeth - posted on 12/15/2010

Something else you could try... Maybe take them over to a friend's house with children too, or someone who stays up later. Being in a different environment may throw off their habits, but then you'll have to do it a few days in a row, otherwise they'll fall back into schedule. They'll be staying up later and playing harder, so that may get them to sleep in longer. It might work

Autumn - posted on 12/15/2010

okay . this sounds like it might work ! yes they do share a room we have no choice . the youngest only wakes up for a dry diaper in the middle of the night for a water bottle and dry butt . the older one dont wake up at all even if his brother is screaming ! they are just both right on with the waking up at 430 am every morning. and there aint no putting them back to sleep . they will wake up their older sister and she has school . so she needs her sleep too ! i think i will try this and see where it gets me .

Lisa - posted on 12/15/2010

I noticed you had no replies yet and have been having similar issues with my 19m old. It sounds like your kids share a room and I would bet your baby is waking up your child. My daughter has just in the past few weeks been waking up and wanting to play/eat/hang out in the middle of the night. She also naps rarely these days and has been fussy off and on. Molers are coming in and that's been an issue also her pooping schedule is all over the place also causing her to wake up mis-sleep. I am at the point of playing with her really hard before bed and sticking to the same bedtime (8:10pm) even if I hear her awake I don't open the door. We tend to make noise with the tv and our voices right afterward so now we go into our room for at least a half hour after putting her down. Last night I gave her dry cheerios and a 1/3 sip cup of milk right before teeth brushing with pj's on...it helped to fill her tummy and wear her out! She only got up once last night briefly wanting more milk and a dry diaper...not too bad.