3 year old sleep issues-HELP!

melisa7901

DD has always been a great sleeper-no issues.  Until the last three weeks!  Now she's waking up for the day around 4:00 am and refusing to go back to sleep even though it's obvious she's still tired.  Last night she woke up at 11:00 and wouldn't sleep unless I sat next to her and then she was up again at 4:00.  At 5 months pregnant, I really don't want to start the habit of me sleeping in her bed with her.  Any ideas or advice on what to do?  If this has happened to you, how did you handle it or how long did it last?  Are the toddler sleep clocks worth trying? Thanks!  

Wally3

We made a sticker chart for DS he was waking around 5:30ish and getting me up to play and throwing fits.  He is to stay in his bedroom until 6am (he waits until the first number on his clock is 6 but you could use one of those special wake clocks with pics) then he can come wake us up - he can read books if he is up early.  He gets a sticker each morning he staty in bed.  When he gets 5 stickers he gets a donut (we let him pick the prize).  He is up to 4 stickers and very excited for tomorrow.

Also, make sure you get her in bed early.  DS gets up earlier the later he goes to bed - sleep begets sleep.  I put DS to bed 1/2 hour early last night and it was his best night sleep in awhile slept to 6:10.

JenChrisBabyH

We're doing the sticker chart too and it works well (although right now I'm having issues with DD#1 waking up crying, so it's not a behavioral issue, but still something I'm dealing with)... she gets to either go swimming or roast marshmellows (2) with DH.  It really helped DD#1 get down without the drama of "another" potty, "another" story, etc. 

Hope it works for you!