If your child is an early riser....

kms34

what do you do? 

Let them stay up and play?  Try to get them to go back to bed?  Bring them in bed with you?

DS will be 3 in July and has been waking up super early the past 2 weeks.  I recently went back to work after having DS2 so I'm up and moving around early.  I try to be really quiet but I dont' know if I'm waking him up or what.  I've worked this schedule since before he was born and it's never bothered him.

This morning he came in the bathroom at FIVE while I was showering.  He had taken his pants and diaper off, went potty and said "I'm awake!  I sleep good.  Really good!"  Sigh.  He's gone through phases like this before but we always just left him in his room.  He'd talk to himself or whine but we always left him in there until a reasonable hour.  Now, he gets up and comes in our room or plays around.  He recently started getting out of bed on his own.  He's been in his twin bed for almost 6 months now but had never gotten out of it until recently.  I don't know if the early wake up is him exploring his independence or if he's really just that well rested that he's waking up. 

We've tried later bedtimes and limiting naps and both have backfired in the past so I'm nervous to try that again.  He happily goes down for a nap and asks to go to bed most nights before 7. 

I'm afraid we are destined to have an early riser but I was wondering if anyone had any other suggestions.

kms34

Maybe one of those time to wake clocks would work?

busywifey

my son can wake anywhere from 530-645. when its before 630 is when its an issue.

we told him he can come in our bed when he wakes up but if the sun is not up then he cant make alot of noise. he can read books and play with toys that dont make noise.

sorry i am not more of a help!

 

Violet's Mommy

Just wanted to sympathize. DD sometimes wakes up at 4:30am most times thankfully shell go back to sleep til around6-7 but sometimes she's up for good which means so am I!

LoveEeyore

As they get older, their need for sleep slightly decreases, maybe his internal clock is changing?  I used an OK to wake for DS but he was clearly NOT getting enough sleep. 

I would probably watch it for a week or 2 and see if it's the new normal.  I would pay attention to how many hours he gets with nighttime and nap, and maybe shift by 15 minutes, put down and wake for nap, put down at night, but it sounds like he's well-rested.  I might run down and get a bowl of animal crackers and sippy of milk to snack in my bathroom while I got ready.  Maybe enjoy the 1-1 time that is likely scarcer since #2 came.  Good luck!

schnappycat

kms34:

Maybe one of those time to wake clocks would work?

I agree. We got one for DS at about 3.5 when he went through this 4:30 AM wakeup phase. It has really helped! Not only does he generally stay in his room until the clock turns green, it's really gotten him interested in time overall. Now he sleeps until 6:30 or even 7 many days.  

kpips20

I'd definitely look into a clock. We use the Teach Me Time clock. DS was waking up at 4:30-5am every morning and since we started using it he'll usually sleep until at least 6 (usually closer to 630/7) and will stay in his room and play until the light turns green. It took about 3 weeks for him to really get the hang of it but now it's working great. He also doesn't nap and so I'm very mindful of him getting enough nighttime sleep. On the days that he's up very early (by 6am) I have him go to bed earlier at night.

DSs sleep has always been a little all over the place and what I've learned that that you can't make them sleep - you just need to give them appropriate tools to help them and adjust their schedule accordingly.

Leap08

I also think you should look into a light/clock. We have a moon/sun nightlight. When it's bedtime it's a moon, when the yellow sun comes on she can get up. It took about a week or so for her to get it, but now she rarely leaves her room before her yellow sun is on.

kms34

Thanks ladies!  I'm going to look into the clock.  THis morning was another insanely early one.  I normally leave for work before he wakes up and he does just fine but if he sees me before I leave he's a hot mess.  I had to leave him sobbing with DH this morning.  Poor kid.  (We may be dealing with some sudden separation anxiety too)