need help with an early waker

[LauraRose]

I agree, my only problem is that when he was sleeping 1.5 hrs for his naps he was waking around 4 am--yikes!  Maybe now that I've moved his am nap to 9:45 or 10 he won't do that.

[momofclaire]

I would try it. I know it is a guessing game but I just feel like 2, 1 hour naps might not cut it for him.  Will he sleep a little longer for one nap?

[LauraRose]

Yay! Today he slept 1 hr. for his am nap and 2 hrs. for pm.  I'm hoping it makes a difference for tomorrow morning.

[momofclaire]

Here's hoping that it continues....

[LauraRose]

This morning he didn't wake at all until 6:15.  However, his morning nap was very fitful and short--fussing every 15 minutes or so for an hour.  Hopefully the afternoon nap will be long and we'll have another "later" morning tomorrow.  I'll let you know!
-Laura

[Layla]

Yay Laura... I am glad the shorter morning nap is helping out the wake up time

[LauraRose]

OK.  I am feeling a bit discouraged.  Yesterday morning DS woke at 5:30--talked/fussed until 6:15 when I got him up.  Slept one hr for am nap (I put him down at 9--a bit early).  Then 1 1/2 hrs for afternoon nap and to bed at 7:15. (So, pretty much his usual early day.)

Last night he woke at 3:30 and was up until 4:30, just talking and shaking the sides of his crib--not crying. (I thought I was going crazy--I'm feeling sleep deprived, but I don't want to complain because I know a lot of other moms have it much worse.)  I couldn't go back to sleep until 5:30.  He then woke at 6:15 and I got him up to BF. 

I put him down for his am nap at 9:30 and he started fussing at 10:00.  He is sooo tired!  I did PU/PD and thought he might resettle, but he's just crying!  I feel like we are going backwards.  Sorry for the frustration.  Thanks for your advice. =)

-Laura

[momofclaire]

"Crib parties" are fairly normal at this age.  Layla had them an Stacy, a member, had them as well that I remember.  Did you go in and try to settle when he wasn't crying?  As hard as it is to relax when they are awake I wouldn't go in unless he cries.  Claire would sometimes be awake for 45 minutes and then just go back to sleep. It is developmental and there's not much you can do.
I would suggest an earlier bedtime as well if he is waking at 6:15.

[LauraRose]

I don't go in to settle unless he's really crying, and in the middle of the night he doesn't tend to.  Good to know that it might just be a phase.  I will try an earlier bedtime again. (BTW--I put him down for his afternoon nap at 12:30 and he slept until 3, catching up I guess.)

-L

[LauraRose]

Hi dear ladies,
Here's the update on DS's naps and wake-up time.  We went through a really rough phase with him being so OT and me unable to fix it--until I started putting him to bed at 6pm.  He was still having only 45 min. naps for a few days, but sleeping better at night.  Then, yesterday, when he woke after 45 min. afternoon nap I went in and did PU/PD and he went back to sleep! For almost 2 more hrs!  I still put him to bed at 6:15 and he slept until 6:30 this morning! Today he took a 1 1/2 hr. morning nap and just woke after an hour afternoon nap.  But I did PU/PD (while I was posting this) and he's back to sleep.  Yipeee!  What a difference it makes in his mood too.  He's back to his happy, smiley self.

Thank you for your help momofclaire and Isabella&Jasmine's mum.  I have found the BW boards to be so supportive and encouraging lately.  It's wonderful to see women who can relate to what we go through as moms and are willing to offer thoughtful insight and advice.

--Laura

[Layla]

Laura... thats great news!!!

 

[momofclaire]

Yea! 

[LauraRose]

argh...this is a bumpy process. We've had lots of early mornings here (5:30 is a good average) and short naps (1 hr. 15 min is a long nap for ds, 45 min is more usual). The early bedtime is working best--I've been putting him to bed at 6.  He still wakes super early, but at least no night wakings and he's not AS tired during the day.  Still, wish he'd sleep 2 1/2 to 3 hrs during daytime sleep.  He went back to sleep twice during naps when I did PU/PD, but now he just cries. Should I take this question to the naps board? Thanks for your help.

[Muriel - Elisa's mama]

courage! well for one thing having a sleeping baby at 6.00 and no NW... a lot would just dream about this so it is already very good!! you already have your evening free for yourself, and it just mean 6.00-5.30 nihgt is already a long sleep. did you trip PU/PD to extend the night of one hour or so?

[LauraRose]

I know, I'm trying to remember that I could be a lot more tired! Last night ds was up (talking, not fussing) at 2 and 4 and woke crying to get up at 6. I just wish he were more well rested. He could be teething (I gave him med. at 4:30). But, yes I've tried PU/PD to extend morning sleep--he gets **angry!**

Thanks for encouraging me to persevere. =)