I am wondering if anyone else has had this issue. Our 22 month old is usually a very good sleeper, going to bed at 7-7:30 PM and normally waking @ 6:30-7 AM or so. However, the last 2 weeks or so, she has been going down later (@ 8 PM) waking during the night,
and waking up increasingly earlier; the last 3 days she has been up at 5:00 AM, 5:30 AM, and 4:45 AM this morning!!! Obviously, this has become a factor when mom is pregnant, and is needing more than 5-7 hours of sleep 3 nights in a row.
We think she is probably going through a growth spurt, and has just been extra hungry, as she will eat a whole container of yogurt when she gets up or enjoy a bowl of cereal and bananas with mom at 2:30 AM (as I am 6 months pregnant, and will have an occasional night stomache grumble, as well!)
So how do I know the night waking isn't just becoming a habit, as she knows a few wails will get her down to the kitchen for a snack? To combat this, we have started just giving her some milk in her room, and she will go right back to sleep. But the waking during the night and getting up so early has thrown both of us off schedule. Isn't 4:45 an ungodly hour to be waking up for the day? Any suggestions?
Thank you all for taking the time to respond! I agree that we should continue to try to maintain her earlier bedtime, and as she has been dropping her 2nd nap, it may even be more crucial that we do that to keep her from geting overtired. That may be a big part of the change in sleep schedule, along with the season change and growth spurt. I'll also keep an eye out for her 2 year molars which I hadn't thought about, and realize that we all are going to have a big adjustment to the new baby; which may already be affecting her need for mom's attention. So, I guess we'll just keep trying to maintain her schedule and see that she gets enough sleep, and I am sure it will iron itself out. We do try to make sure she eats a decent dinner, but as anyone with a toddler knows, some nights that is more successful than others! Thanks so much again for the suggestions- and it's always reassuring to know that there are so many other moms out there who have experienced the same little trials!!! This web site is fabulous for that!
she is probably still adjusting to the time changes, by her inner clock she is waking up at the same time she always has been, and going to bed earlier than she used to...
her waking up in the middle of the night, could be anything from growth spurt to her 2nd year molars giving her small troubles.
I would stick to the routine and give it another few weeks to straighten out...
Try putting her back to bed at her normal time--7/7:30. It's probably throwing her off having a later bedtime. My daughter's normal bedtime is 6:30, and she usually wakes up around 6. If we let her stay up later (closer to 7pm), she wakes up earlier!
I think some children just need less sleep than others. Does she seem crabby when she wakes or as the day goes on? Is she napping often/long during the day? If so, read no further, she's not getting enough sleep!
My daughter (now 10) is one of those children who just didn't require a lot of sleep (much to my chagrin sometimes!) As a small toddler, if she napped too long during the day or was put down too early she would wake at 3:30 a.m. and be up for the day! We often ended up taking turns to keep her awake until 9 - 10 p.m. so that she would sleep until 7 a.m.! We also had her childcare provider eliminate her afternoon nap and this seemed to help. This remained true the entirety of her toddler years so it wasn't just a growing spurt or phase she was going through.
Perhaps try changing her sleep and nap routine a bit to see if that helps. When doing so, be sure she is getting the sleep she needs though!
Daylight Savings Time screws up everybody's sleep cycle, which is why I think they should just QUIT IT! Sorry, that's a whole 'nother rant.
Do try putting her to bed earlier, rather than later. Too many people these days seem to forget how "over-tired" works; it makes kids antsy and seemingly over-energetic, makes it harder for them to relax and sleep. It does NOT mean they need less sleep. There may be a few children out there who are biologically different, but every child I've met whose parents claim that has been obviously sleep-deprived to me.
(Also, don't give her milk when she's going back to sleep - the sugars in milk are just as bad for her teeth as any other, and water will actually fill her tummy just as well, if temporarily.)
Your daughter is probably just at the age where she realizes there might be things going on while she's asleep that she doesn't want to miss, so she fights it. Keep night time as boring and routine as possible, but unfortunately, it's a tough time for parents. It might be a good idea to make Dad responsible for her now when she wakes up too early. He may have an easier time focusing on the need for sleep rather than wondering what else she might want ;). Good luck.
Hi S.,
I second the person who said you should go back to her regular bedtime - maybe even earlier! I have found that the later they go down, the earlier they are up again. Since she's eating a lot, you could also pay extra attention to how much food you're offering her during the day to make sure she's getting enough. Finally, I wonder if on some level, she's reacting to the changes her new brother has already brought to your home - especially to your energy level. I can see where a midnight snack with mom would be a very comforting thing, so maybe she's partly looking for attention too?
Good luck! Hopefully you can get back into a routine that works better for everyone before your new one is born & throws everything off again!
I think taking a look at her nap time schedule might also help. Sometimes they need less sleep. My daughter would sleep for 3-4 hrs during the day. I don't think she needs this because come night time she is up. Another thought might be to give her a small snack before bed. Occasionally we do a bowl of grapes or a cut up apple. We try to stay away from the sugary foods. My son is also an early riser, we have a saying in our house, "Get up when the sun comes up" If they sleep pass that great!
Good Luck,
N.
When a child is sleep deprieved they wake up early and earlier. You would think they would sleep later. I would make sure her nap is good, around 1 1/2 hours to 2. And then move her bed time back to its original time. Also offer a snack before bed. And when she wakes up I wouldn't rush right in. A good book for this is Good Night , Sleep Tight by Kim West. It will address all of your concerns. Good luck. And congrats on the baby.
