Waking up earlier and earlier

fyrestar · 03-14-2006, 08:24 AM

Hey just wondering for those with toddlers (or older kids who once were toddlers

) what is the usual bedtime you have?

Cade has been going to bed at 8 for ages, probably since he was 14 months old, and he always got up at 7 or so. Sometimes a little earlier, but usually 7 to 7:30. Lately he's been getting up earlier and earlier. For a while he was waking up at 6:30, then 6, then 5:30 - this morning he got up at 5!!!!

I know his need for sleep will lessen as he gets older, but does that mean we have to move his bedtime later and later? I can't get up at 5!!

If he's going to move down to only sleeping 8 hours a night, does that mean we have to put him to bed at 10 or 11??

Help!!! Can't function that early in the morning!!!!

Masonsmommy · 03-14-2006, 10:52 AM

Do you have room darkening blinds/shades/curtains?

I noticed that Mason is more prone to waking earlier if the sun is out earlier, So I recently installed a room darkening roller shade. I works great, and helps for naps too!

fyrestar · 03-14-2006, 10:59 AM

Yep, we had to do that for naps because he just wouldn't go to sleep if it was light at all in there. With the blinds closed and curtains drawn, it's usually pitch black in there with just a soft nightlight.

The other thing is that when he wakes up that early, he wakes up crying his head off. That always signals to me that he's still tired and doesn't really want to wake up, and usually I could get him to settle down and go back to sleep. But that just has not been working for the last few weeks. He just screams and screams and really gets totally escalated until he finally calms down and sits up, hops out of bed shouting "Done! Done!"

Amanda05 · 03-14-2006, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fyrestar

finally calms down and sits up, hops out of bed shouting "Done! Done!"

Thats cute!!

Brayden had a phase of this as well although I believe he was barely 1. I wouldn't keep him up later. If anything shorten his naps (if this continues and he isn't needing as much sleep) We always had Brayden in bed by 7. That was MY time after that. He would normaly get up around 6:30 or 7. Give it some time and hopefully he will go back to his normal routine

Emma · 03-14-2006, 12:36 PM

Thomas goes to bed around 10 (always has because of my work schedule) and is up around 8am. I hope you figure out what's going on with his sleep pattern and get it fixed. You need your rest

Lisa · 03-14-2006, 12:55 PM

you definetly need your sleep especially right now....

belinda · 03-14-2006, 03:41 PM

Katelynn pretty much adapted to all of our schedules (because we worked different shifts in the beginning to avoid childcare expenses). She always needed a lot of sleep, and still does, and she's almost 10! I swear, I can send her to bed at 8 or 8:30pm and she won't get up until 8am. She needs at LEAST 10 hours not to be completely grouchy. She's been going to bed lately at 9pm and getting up at 6:30 - 7:00 and it's been hell. She just doesn't function without her 'beauty sleep'.

Zachery on the other hand, went to bed at 8pm and woke up at 7-8am, like clockwork. Except then, he also got a 2-3 hour nap in the middle of the day too. Now, especially this past year, since he started kindergarten, he hasn't needed that much sleep and has started wanting to go to bed at 9 and get up at 6:30 or 7am. So still ok I guess.

I have found with my two that each one is different. Some kids just NEED more sleep. I would just have to say that he needs to get back on schedule. I would do as Amanda suggested...maybe limit his naps before putting him to bed late. (I know, easier said than done), but, hopefully that will do the trick.