early starts

[GuavaHalf]

My two year old son has recently moved into his first bed. He used to sleep through to about 7:30 - If he woke up he chaated to himself and often went back to sleep. Now he can get up he is out of bed at 5:30 and no matter how tired he is he will not settle again. Any ideas as to what we could do?

[Starman 2112]

If our four year old awakes early we have told him that he can play in his room but not to come through to our bedroom. If he does come through he is promptly ushered back to his bedroom and told he can either play or get back into bed (he usely goes back to bed). Hope this helps.

[MrsCheeks]

Try getting him a little cassette player and when he does wake up put on some nursery rhymes for him to listen to. Chances are he will drop back off to sleep listening to the music. Hugs, xxxx

[David*1]

to the person who said buy a cassette recorder.....r u mad? tell the child to get to sleep and stop playing Busted/McFly etc on that tape machine as mammy and daddy r very tired!!!!!!

[smudge]

Oh go back to bed David'1. I agree with MrsCheeks, I have problems sleeping myself, but find that audio spoken word story tapes help me doze off again. Why don't you give this a try too, you have nothing to lose - well only more sleep if you don't. Good luck GuavaHalf.

[galltin]

I think perhaps you were a bit previous in putting him into a bed at the age of two.

[titanium]

Try a safety gate on the bedroom door. He can't get out then and it's safe too (stairs etc).

[michelle3258]

maybe put some rails on the side of the bed it wont be so easy for him to get out. ive seen them put on taller beds so a child doesnt rool out of bed.

[GuavaHalf]

galltin - what age did you put your children in a bed at? He was getting too big for the cot. Bashed the sides everytime he moves. titanium - unfortunately he has a good pair of lungs on him. He might not get out but the sound will. michelle - he has rails on the bed but can get out very easily. The rails are just to stop him rolling out accidently. Look like I will just have to get used to early mornings!

[tracymort]

my eldest was in a bed at 13 months and my youngest was 18 months. we coslept and he decided he was ready for his own bed then. we do have a stairgate on the bedroom door (the only one as i worry about half asleep children near stairs although in principle i don't agree with gates and have no gates at any other time or place). they are in a room together and tend to just play or read books until we wake and my eldest can open the gate so they come see us whenever they want. as for sleeping through if you want some more sleep after 5.30 just get him into your bed. easiest way! he'll soon be at preschool, more worn out and more likely to sleep in a bit longer!

[TEAK36]

I know exactly how you feel.My two and a half year old wakes at about 5.30 each morning.We have tried allsorts of things to get him back to sleep, but nothing so far has worked.I think you will just have to get used to your early start to the day.

[derbyram]

Have you got blackout lining on your curtains or blinds in the room? My niece used to wake at about 5:30 every morning but when my brother put blackout linings on the curtains and pelmet she started sleeping until about 7:30.

[campbell37]

I agree with derbyram. My kids wake up early because of the early morning light at this time of year. I got a blackout blind from Argos a few years ago and it's great and easy to fit, unlike lining curtains.

[GuavaHalf]

Yes the curtains are lined. Looks like we've done all we can

[MrIxolite]

Strange, My 17 month old used to sleep through till 7:30 and has recently started waking at 5:30 too. The blackout priciple sounded good to me but its actually pitch black at 5:30 in our area now so thats not it.

[GuavaHalf]

MrIxolite - YIPPEE! Its not just me!

[tomd]

Keep him up till 3am, then he'll sleep.

[nrmatth]

a child at age two has a lot of stuff going on that will preventhim/her from sleeping. white noise has been recommended for colicky babies as well as restless toddlers for years. this could be a fan, a humidifier, a tv or music. i found with both of my kids that a cd containing classical music with no vocals works great. plus most cd players (boomboxes are very inexpensive now) have a repeat button. my kids have a hard time staying awake after i put it on and if it runs all night at a low volume it keeps them from waking up enough to not be able to get back asleep.

[fimble]

I am having same problem at the moment, my daughter is 14 months and over last 2/3 weeks has decided it's better to get up at 5.30am rather than her usual 6.30am. She normally goes to bed at approx 7ish so have tried putting to bed later and giving a tiny amount of cereal with her usual milk. This is not working - any alternate ideas.

[nrmatth]

at 14 months she should be eating regular foods and starting to replace the milk altogether with a balanced diet. and more filling foods that will take her through the night longer.also try some things like lavender scents. it's naturally soothing,