Early Waking, maybe need to transition to 2 naps

[corrina01]

My DD used to sleep 7pm - 7am, but now for the last couple of weeks she has been waking at 5.30am cannot go back to sleep, and is happy to see me.

Her day goes like this

5.30am Wake, try to go back to sleep, but can't.
6.30-7am Feed
8.30am Nap for 1hr, (overtired?) maybe 1.5hr (3hrs awake) Wake round about 10am-10.20am, happy.
11am Feed
12.30pm nap (2hrs, I have to wake her up) (2.10hrs awake)  I think I can push her to 2.20hrs awake but she will be overtired.Wake her up at 2.30pm
3pm  Feed
4.30-4.45pm Try and put her down for catnap,(30-45mins) overtired? Refuses. (2hrs-2.15hrs awake time)
6.00pm bath and bedtime routine
6.45-7pm Sleep
10pm DF (currently weaning her off this one) but she doesn't take as much food as she is tired throughout the day.


The question is :

Do I put her to bed later, like 7.30pm?
Should I try to keep her awake more, if this is the case she will be so overtired.
Should I be increasing her afternoon nap, to 2.5hrs,with no catnap at 4.45pm and go to bed at the same time 6.45pm-7.00pm.
I would like her to sleep till at least 6.30am.

Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks

[corrina01]

Jane,

I just read your post, after I posted mine, so I will take a look at it.

The link is not working

[Colesmom]

hi-i have to make this quick as DS is fussy in his saucer.

early wakeups make that first nap difficult!  It's hard to do away with the catnap until your DD can go 3 hours between each sleep period.  Once we tackle the early waking then the day should fall into place.

On days when she wakes early I recommend putting her down a bit earlier so she's not overtired. Hopefully this will result in a longer first nap of 1.5 hours every time.  Also, i recommend you make bedtime EARLIER, not later, especially on days she refuses the catnap.  Overtired babies wake earlier!  her bedtime should be no longer than 2.5-3 hours after waking from nap.  If your first nap is moved a little earlier, so will the second and the catnap and that should give you some leaway for bedtime.

k, lo is not impressed with me!  Please give this a try and let me know how it goes.

[corrina01]

Ok will give it a go.

She was up again at 5.30am this morning, I put her down at 8.30an, she slept a full 1.45mins.  I put her down for her afternoon nap after 2.30hrs wake time as she slept so soundly this morning. So hopefully it will sort itself out.

I put it down to, going back to work and she has to get used to the cot round my mums. 

If she refuses the catnap this afternoon I will try and get her into bed about 6pm-6.15pm.

Sorry about your lo is not impressed with you.

[Colesmom]

oh yes, you didn't mention the new surroundings!  you're right, it may take time to adjust.

good luck

[corrina01]

She took an hour this lunchtime nap.  I am going to restrict her wake up times to 1.50-2hrs max now.  I put her down at 3.55pm blood curdling screams for 30mins as she was so overtired. She is asleep now, but I am putting her to bed early tonight so she can catch up. I've prepared myself for another 5.30am wake up.

Yes, sorry, she has slept in the cot at my mums before I went to back to work, so she could use to it. She does 1hr in the morning there, and 1.45 lunchtime and then a catnap.  I only work 2 days a week so maybe she is getting used to mummy not being there all the while, as the early morning wakeups coincided with me going back to work.

Just a thought. 

[corrina01]

I've sorted (touch wood) my DD out now.  I couldn't see the wood for the trees.  You need someone else's input, and you can see plainly what the problem is.  I was trying to extend her awake times to soon.  She is now sleeping from about 7pm to 7am like before (touch wood).  The only problem is the cat,  I wonder if I can sleep train her 

Thank you Traci