Advice on early waking

[Deerbrook]

If anyone could offer some advice, I would be very grateful.
My DS2 is nearly 8 months.  Since he has been mobile (about 2-3 months ago) he has started to wake at about 5-5.30am, sometimes 6am if we are lucky.  He is not crying, not hungry, not needing a nappy change - just awake and ready to start the day!! 

Wake up - 5am
E - 7am (bottle)
     8.30am (breakfast)
A - (4 hours)
S - 9am-10.30ish

E - 11am (bottle)
12pm (lunch)
A - (3 hours)
S -1.30-2.30pm

E - 4.30pm (dinner)
     6.30pm (bottle)
A - (4 hours)
S -6.30ish to about 5am

E - Dreamfeed about 11pm


He most often falls asleep after his bottle, so sometimes go into his cot asleep or sleepy but awake.

He uses a dummy as it helps him get past his fighting sleep phase. 

He still sleeps in our room, and we dont cosleep with him.  Our room is dark, so no light issues.

Any advice welcome.  Someone told me that dropping the dreamfeed may help, but I am just concerned this would just mean I would need to nightfeed again (which havent done since 10 weeks old).

Thanks! 

[Deerbrook]

Thanks Jane for your reply.

No heating issues as that comes on at 6, and dont think there is any neighbour noise.

I have been reluctant to move him into another room, mainly because it would have to be on another floor of the house and worried I would wake myself up even more if need to actually get up.  We also need a move around with the other children, so this is a tricky one.  I think I need to try him in another room to be honest.

I try to quiet him down, but usually this doesnt work as he is so awake, so just take him into the lounge so I dont wake up DH or my older son.  Either sit quietly in the dark until about 6am, or just let him clamber about. He has just started pulling himself up, so he is eager to do this.

Do you think stopping the dreamfeed and just waiting for him to wake for a bottle would be better.  I was thinking that a quick bottle in the night is better than getting up at 5am.  But then I dont think its hunger....

Do you think the naps etc are OK?

Arrrgh.  He was 4.45 this morning too   

[Deerbrook]

I guess so... but I definitely class 5am as early 

Wouldnt a shorter A time in the morning just make him more tired earlier in the evening?  He doesnt really show signs of wanting to sleep earlier than this.

I think I will try your advice and move everything forward, and try it that way.  However, this would make his afternoon nap clash which the school run, so not sure how that will work. The perils of being a second child needing to fit into other schedules too I guess!

Thanks for your help.  Will let you know how we get on!