Hi Everyone
So I thought I would check back in and give an update on how things are going. We've had good and bad.
The good - we've stuck consistently with the 12-2 nap and that seems to be going pretty Apart from a couple of recent upset wake ups at the hour mark (due to teeth and possibly OT) where I've had to intervene, he's coped with the nap transition pretty well.
The not so good - The NWs (until last night) had started to improve too however we have had LOTS of EWs. For the last couple of weeks he's woken at 05.20 on the dot every day standing at the side of his cot and crying until we go in. He doesn't cry loudly to begin with it's just that whingy 'can you come in please' cry. So I have tried to leave him to see if he would settle back down but he just escalates getting himself upset so I have to go in. He's never been one to sleep later than 6:30/7:00 at the very latest but 5:20 is just so early!
Last night was pretty rough. He woke up 1am and got himself in a pickle, DH went to him and gave him Calpol (he's still cutting his canines and walks around with his fingers in his mouth all day) but he wouldn't settle and DH ended up taking him in the spare room with him where he finally fell asleep at 3am. He started the day at 6am.
I'm not sure what to do about the EWs? When he wakes at that time I try and ensure his day isn't too long and that his lunch time nap is pulled forward a bit.....but I'm reluctant to keep making his bedtime earlier and earlier as worry he will wake earlier.
Equally I'm starting to worry about his total hours of sleep. For example last night he will have only had 8 hours (with the 2 hour wake up in the middle) and if he wakes at 5:20 tomorrow he's not had any opportunity to catch up.
Can anyone give any advice on routine tweaks? Or should I just ride it out because it could be teeth related?
What does everyone do when their LOs wake early - leave them, cuddle them, take them in with them or just start the day??
I'm sure he's upset due to his teeth but I'm finding it hard to know how much to give in to and whether I'm setting myself up for bad habits? How does anyone really know?
Just a reminder here is his routine:-
Wake - 05.20 at the moment!
I go into him and usually spend some time in his dark room giving him a cuddle on the chair in his room. He's happy to curl up with his lovey but hasn't nodded back off again as I thought he might.
6.00 - Get him up and dressed
6.30 - Beaker of milk
7.30 - Breakfast
11:30/11:45 - Lunch
11:45/12:00 - Nap
14:00/14:15 - Wake up from nap
15.30 Snack
17.00 - Tea
18.15 - Bath
19.00 - Bed (asleep within a couple of minutes)
How long does this canine incisor teeth business last? I feel bad for my little man
Thanks again to everyone who has commented, it helps so much to know you guys are out there.