My three year old won't sleep!

[nykkieberry]

Any tips on getting my three year old to sleep in longer? He's up at 5.30am every morning, regardless of what time he goes to bed, what he eats before he goes to bed, how warm/cold or dark/light his room is - we're at the end of our tethers! We've tried leaving him and he stands and cries at his gate and we've tried giving him milk but he drinks it then gets up after 10 minutes. We've even tried telling him to play in his room but he gets bored...help! We're shattered!

[woofgang]

1. You've probably thought of this but an additive free diet might help. 2. there are two books you might like to read if you haven't already seen them they are the good little baby book and the confident toddler book. 3. If he is bored in his room, what does he want from you? is it cuddles, interraction, what? and could you arrange for a substitute once you identify what he wants. 4. It sounds like you have a really bright child there, look forward to when he is a millionaire and taking care of his old mum and dad:-)

[rinkytink]

Not a very constructive answer this.....but I think you'll find that the majority of three to five year olds tend to be wide awake at ungodly hours of the morning. Have no experience myself but my Brother and Sister both have kids and they were all up at stupid o'clock when they were toddlers.

[nykkieberry]

Thanks for both your answers - both constructive! The additive thing is useful as he's goes a bit nutty after orange cordial. Although he does eat a very low sugar, vegetarian diet so I try to limit his intake of highly processed foods. He seems to be getting up for interaction - he's not happy with playing on his own or watching television. He's a very sociable ( although not clingy) child and he wants to be where we are in the mornings. Going to try and make him stay in his room tomorrow through sheer willpower - and maybe using rewards. (Although he's quicker than me and uses the old chestnut 'I need a wee' if I make him stay in his room! )Wish me luck!

[treaclefight]

my eldest hardly ever slept, i got a few hours more sleep after i got her a hamster (nocturnal) it seemed to sort out the company issue for her, having said that she was not a particularly boisterous sort of 3 year old and could be trusted with a pet. i appreciate not all 3 year old are like that. good luck, it will come to an end, honestly :-) ( my second one slept for 10 hours a night from 3 weeks old, kids are weird)

[banana]

Our resident 3 year old is just the same -we put it down to high intelligence - but thats not funny at 5.30am. We have recently given her an alarm clock set to 7.30am and shown her what will happen when that time is reacherd - a lovely loud bell - very impressive for a 3 year old..She was highly amused to have a clock of her own - and when we remember to set the damned thing ( because of course she has taken to being really tired BEFORE 7.30.pm !! which means we cannot set it when we take her to bed ) it does work. Give it a try - and if it doesnt work at least he will have a new toy for a couple of mornings.

[sft42]

Try a big whack of vodka in his night time milk.....that'll sort the little guy out!

[honkytonkman]

Have you tried telling him about the invisible monsters which live under his bed? The only way to make them leave you alone is to lie very quiet and still until breakfast time. If at any stage the child moves or speaks, the monsters will appear and chew his legs off. I have suggested this to many-a-parent but the downfall is that the child is then in therapy for the next 30 years... ;)

[tracymort]

just thought i'd mention that "no sugar" drinks etc are worse than those with sugar!! Those artificial sweeteners are very dodgy, just look up aspartame and you'll see what i mean! For advice on the sleep situation try http://www.askdrsears.com/ there maybe something to help here.

[woodpam]

If there's two of you and you have tried the usual tricks to make him think it's midnight (black out curtains etc.) why not take it in turns to get up with him and at least you both get a longer lie in every other day? If you keep him on the go constantly from 5.30 onwards he should be extra tired eventually and sleep in a bit longer - hopefully at the weekend. If the one of you that gets up early does something like prepare the evening meal ready to cook later, there will be a benefit to you adults too.