I can't handle these early mornings!

monkey_pants

I used to be so spoiled - DD (26mos) used to sleep 8-8, sometimes even later!  In Dec she started having all kinds of sleep issues (2-yr sleep regression, separation anxety, call it what you want).  She's a lot better now - we did a bit of sleep training but it didn't take much - except that lately, maybe for the last month or two, she's been waking early.  At first it was 6:30, which is too early for me, but not horrendous.  Lately it's been 5:30.  She won't go back to sleep, she won't sleep in my bed, she won't sleep with me in her bed, but she's exhausted and cranky.  

I've tried room-darkening shades.  I'm thinking of trying an overnight diaper, as she's pretty wet in her regular diaper in the morning, although she's never been one to be upset by a wet diaper.  Anyone have any other suggestions?  

Bmac11

I don't have any suggestions but am anxiously waiting for the replies, as we are in the same boat.  My DS isn't up near as early but still too early for his schedule. Hope someone has some magic words for us! 

sdpookie13

What time does she go to bed?  How long does she nap during the day?  Maybe she's just at that phase where she doesn't need as much sleep?  Maybe if you push back her bedtime it might help? Or try a toddler clock? 

shaw

At 29 months my little guy sleeps for about 9 hours at night.  He can either take a little nap .... or not!  It sounds like the early bedtime is causing the early wake up!?  For example my little guy skipped his nap yesterday, but fell asleep by 7pm.  Well, he was up at 4am. Normally I try to have him asleep by 9:30pm because I have to wake him at 6:30 am for the sitter!?   

gremaud07

Try a less time nap and later bedtime..try 10-15 minutes at a time.  That's how we tweaked DS sleep time per the sleep specialist 

Anne Mommy

I haven't hit this yet with DS1 but my brother got a special clock for my nephew. It has red numbers until whatever time you set. At that time it turns green. They told him that he could read books or play in his room until the color changed. After that he could come out.

rjeller32

My DD has been waking up at 5 since I can remember. She is just a morning kid, and I am not. I have tried just about every trick in the book, and have just recently accepted that I will have to wake up this early until the little turd can make her own breakfast (and I can trust to not burn the house down or cut her fingers off). My DD is PTed, and I wake up to her peeing in our toilet every day, then sneaking to the fridge to get chocolate syrup, then yelling in my face "I WANT CHOCOLATE MILK PLEAAAAASE."

We just snuggle on the couch, drink some chocolate milk, eat a bowl of cereal and wait for the rest of the world to get up. It sucks.

monkey_pants

Thanks everyone for the replies.  I don't think she's trying to drop sleep time because on the days where she sleeps until 7, she's like a totally different person.  This morning she was up at 6 and it's clearly still too early for her as it was meltdown-city every 5 minutes.  I think I'm going to give the gro-clock a shot.