Is GW Supposed to Be Used for EW's too??

[raquelatx]

Good morning, Mommas-

after unsuccessfully trying wi/wo with my 20-month old (for BT and Naps), we have started the GW method and are glad to report that it's working Amazingly!!!   What has been happening off and on, that I haven't quite cleared up yet is my son's EW's.  it's not all the time but even at 3-4 times a week, it really affects his day. Is the GW method used for 5:30am wakings? We tried it and it's not as nearly effective as when used for naptimes and bedtime.   My DS seems to just want to be awake.   Sometimes it affects his morning/daytimes by being fussy and tired and sometimes not.  When he doesn;t have an early waking, he'll sleep til 8-8:30am so I know he really needs that extra sleep.  a few questions are: when he does have an EW, do we carry on with his regular nap at 12:30? (on daycare days, I 've no choice) is there another strategy/process that i can try for EW's since GW doesn't seem to work or put him back to sleep?

Thanks!!

[sianie]

Hi there...

I've personally not used GW for EW's, mainly because after a nights sleep my LO's have been too awake to want to go back to sleep, no matter what we try! I do know Mums that have used WI/WO with some success for EW's.

EW's can be caused but a few things; OT/UT & or pain/discomfort (plus teething)....see below link FYI:

http://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=87109.0

It would be helpful if you could post your current routine so we can look at what's going on! 

[raquelatx]

those are exactly my thoughts... he's just not tired! but like i said, sometimes when he sleeps til 7:30 or 8am, it makes me realize he may need those extra hours.

his routine is:

wake either 5:30 (his choice) or 7:30 (my choice)
nap 12:30-1:30; sometimes 2pm
BT 8:30

does this tell you anything? thanks!

[sianie]

Are you getting any NW's?

Does he settle ok at nap time?

Does he have any teeth coming through? EW's for my DS generally always mean teeth & at around your LO's age 2nd year molars can start moving around in the gums causing some sleep issues. If you think it could be teeth then you could consider trying a meds dream feed in the early hours (works really well for us).


Looking at your routine, whilst you are getting EW's then I would maybe pull his nap forward a little to say 12pm. Are his naps usually around an hour? This is a little short for his age? Do you wake him or does he wake by himself? If he's waking by himself then hour naps usually mean OT.