3 yr old EW please help

[Beara]

Hi there. I'm looking for help s with my 3 yr old Ew. He wakes between 5 and 6 am and  usually does not go back to sleep.  The prob has a big impact as we also have a 2 month old so we r sleep deprived.  I dont think the EW is related to his baby sis as for the first 6 weeks he was fine.  He was sick a few weeks ago and s still has a lingering night time cough which I think triggered the pattern originally.  He is a good sleeper generally and does not nap by day.  He has had episodes of EW in the past though mainly in summer.  This is the first time is happened since he moved into a bed rather than a cot about 6 months ago so it's harder to manage when he can get up himself.  He is asleep on the evening by 7.15, , usually exhausted.  This is about 30 minutes ealier than his general bedtime.  I've ordered a clock for him.  Any other ideas? Struggling as it is with the baby! !
Many thanks

[jessmum46]

Have you tried doing a one-off super early bedtime?  Perhaps a 12h day max and hope he tacks on?

[Beara]

Thanks for your reply.  I hadn't thought of doing a super early bed time.  Will try tomorrow I think. Not as bad this a.m. With a 6.30 wu. (Bedtime 7.30). As I said I have ordered a toddler clock and was thinking of implementing a behavior reward system along with it e.g. Getting a sticker each morning for staying in bed till 7 and a treat after 5 days or something like that.  Any one any ideas/success  with that? Beara

[gr8tful1]

We are having the same trouble so no advice but lots of empathy!

[jessmum46]

Did you give the early bedtime a go?

Sorry no experience with using incentives/rewards for staying in bed here but I know with a gro clock you do need to be very consistent to see results.  So if LO wakes up before lights on/sun up then you need to put them back to bed, remind them it is night time and not to wake you til lights on.  A sticker reward may help some children but I think that's up to you.  The consistent response is probably what's more important.