Author Topic: HELP very very early wakings (Read 5778 times)

mumto5cuddlebugs · « **on:** April 05, 2006, 12:12:03 pm »

Hi, I have a toddler and a baby. Toddler has always been great sleeper

but baby is not. In the first three months she was great but now since christmas (she is eight months now) she has been waking up from 4am onwards. I donot pick her up or feed her and she gets more and more frantic

, sometimes i have to pat her back to sleep and sometimes she falls back to sleep her self untill about 6:30am (when husband gets up for work) we are both exhausted and am finding it harder to cope with very boisterous toddler when so tired. I have tried everything, i am not a panicker and feel have lots of commen sense but am at end of tether...can anyone make any suggestions?

teezee · « **Reply #1 on:** April 05, 2006, 13:11:29 pm »

could you pls post your routine?

mumto5cuddlebugs · « **Reply #2 on:** April 10, 2006, 09:21:21 am »

This is how the routine is supposed to be but she often wakes at about 4am and cries sometimes for upto two hours then she goes back to sleep until 7-8ish. We do not pick her up, we sometimes sh and pat her, but that only works occasionally if it is not working we leave her and just check her every ten minutes of so or when the crying is going out of control) I do supply teaching and if i know i have to work then i sometimes feed her as soon as she wakes just so i can get some sleep, altough it doesn't always work. We stick to the rest of the routine as best we can. She sleeps very well at nap time.
up at 7am,
nap between 10am untill 11-11.30,
afternoon nap at aabout 1pm until 2.30-3pm
bed at 7.15pm.
Although recently experimenting witn no morning nap but it's quite hard work!
Am modifying because original routine too brief. That is the sleep routine, she is breast fed at about 7am (i sometimes but hardly ever feed her on waking at 5am but it does not always get her back to sleep, she is not hungry or thirsty because when she does finally fall asleep again, which can take 1hour plus she will sleep for another few hours) She has solid three meals a day, at about 8am, 12.30pm and 5 pm, she has water at lunch time and is bf at 7pm just before bed. She goes down in her cot awake and gets herself to sleep (she used to have a dummy but does not anymore, she does have bear that she likes on her head!) I dropped the dream feed about 1.5 month ago when she began to have three meals a day. I did try reintroducing it to see if it would help her sleep through the night but it made no difference. Before bed she normally has a play with my husband and my toddler but then she has quiet time with me while toddler is put to bed, for bf and story. I have tried everything i can think of and would really appreciate any ideas you have.

olleezmom · « **Reply #3 on:** April 10, 2006, 12:53:52 pm »

I know EXACTLY how you feel. My DS is almost 9 months old and has been doing the exact same thing for nearly three months now! Early wakings, and not going back to sleep...4:15 this morning was about all I can handle, which is why I am on this board looking

for help. Although I have nothing to help you with, except to say that I definately feel your pain, I hope someone else can offer some advice! Our routine is very much the same as yours!
Good luck!
Dawn

teezee · « **Reply #4 on:** April 10, 2006, 13:40:15 pm »

ok well am naps are said to be seen as an extension of night time sleep and therefore should be the shortest A time in a.m and the shortest nap of the day in the a.m also as lo should be very rested from the night (all depends on your lo some do better with a longer nap in the am - but usually shortest is the am.) this way lo will be able to have a longer nap in the afternoon and be able to be more rested to stay up a longer period of time til bed. 3ish til 7ish is a long time (even with a longer pm nap) for a lo this age to be up.

if lo is waking up at 4 or so for a couple of hrs then going back to sleep, and having a longer am nap, lo is probably 'making up for lost sleep' in the am nap kwim?...so why sleep at night?? i suggest limiting the am nap (although it really doesn't look 'that' long maybe 45 min is good?..something to try and play with i think anyway..).

the other thing is that if lo is getting too much day sleep (my lo could only nap a total of 2.5hrs at that age) they won't be tired enough to sleep through the night. you may want to try limiting lo's nap times a bit, and maybe extend the A time before the pm nap a bit (1.5 to 2 hrs isn't much A time) that way it won't be so far off to bedtime as it will push everything forward.

it's just a matter of tweaking lo's routine a bit here and there and i think everything will be back on track for you!

mumto5cuddlebugs · « **Reply #5 on:** April 10, 2006, 19:59:05 pm »

Thanks for the advice, will try it out. I will restrict morning nap and put her to bed later in afternoon, i must admit she goes down at that time because thats when my toddler has a nap, i've been hanging on to that hour when they are both asleep but i'd happily have baby awake in the day instead of the night. And thanks to Dawn, it's great to know i'm not the only one awake at such an early time, (I was woken at 4am this morning and had to cope with crying until about 5:45am) it does get me down, but i'm trying to remain positive. (everyone says she'll grow out of it) I hope things improve for us soon!

olleezmom · « **Reply #6 on:** April 11, 2006, 11:24:56 am »

OK...so he was up at 5:30 today. Played in crib until 6, then started wailing. A few questions I'm looking for help with...
First, after the first PU/PD, he doesn't really cry, but crawls around in crib, grabs at my face, just wants to "play". But if I go away, or ignore him, he cries again. What to do?
Second, and I think I know the answer to this one...on these days that he is up at 5:30, do I change the routine so that he sleeps afer 3 hours, or do I try to keep him up until his regular nap time? What about when he falls alseep while nursing, do I let him go? That screws up the whole day then? (I have been though to get a few winks in myself though? $:-\$
People have told me this is a stage too! How long can it last? I also thought it was teeth, we have been teething for the past month and a half- 6 new teeth

, but come on now...I am losing my mind at this point!

mumto5cuddlebugs · « **Reply #7 on:** April 11, 2006, 13:34:24 pm »

Hi, I can only advise on how i would deal with it because as you know i am having similar problems. My LO has only got two teeth and i having been blaming everything on imminent teething!
My LO was awake early again today so i'm trying the new routine. I am keeping her up (when before if she woke up early i would give her a nap early) until 10:00 and waking her up after 45 minutes, and i have kept her up until 2:00pm and have just put her down and i'm going to wake her in an hour and half. She had ten minutes in the car, but i could not avoid that. I only nurse LO morning and night so i don't have that sleep problem. But i think i would try to allow sleep only at planned nap times. It's all so difficult trying to get the balance for whats best for baby and you. I totally sympathise. This morning my baby went back to sleep eventualy and i decided to wake her up at 7:30 but i found it really hard (i hate waking sleeping babies and i could have done with the extra sleep myself) I have decided to stick at this new routine for 5-6 days because in my experience it always takes at least three days of the new routine for it to begin working) I feel better having a plan (it's the only thing stopping me going insane!) i just hope it works. I think once the routine is established properly i'll be able to stop being so strict about it all.
In regard to the problem of baby wanting you in the morning i never pick mine up i just turn on musical light thing that she has and leave her-although it is very hard and is partly what is driving me mad but the idea is that she wil learn that she does not get played with or get lots of attention whilst in the cot. (although my lo cant crawl yet so she stays where i put her!)We only have 2 bedrooms and my toddler is in one so we have taken to sleeping downstairs while we try to sort this out! As soon as she sleeps through then we can move her into his room.
I'm sorry if this is not much help it is just how i'm trying to solve the problem. I really hope things improve for you. Good luck.

teezee · « **Reply #8 on:** April 11, 2006, 13:48:38 pm »

olleezmom- if he is not falling back to sleep and cries when you walk away chances are he is not tired and wants to be awake b/c of it. if he does wake up early you would alter his routine - although try to extend A time somewhat to 'try' to keep it somewhat on track with a regular day...and you don't want lo falling asleep early enough that he starts making up for his night time sleep with an early/long am nap - just be sure lo doesn't get overtired as that will inhibit good sleep too. if he falls asleep nursing - always, try to wake him. walk around and talk to him for 5 minutes or so and make sure he is aware enough that when you put him down in the crib he will be able to fall asleep on his own and doesn't associate sleeping and nursing.

mumto5cuddlebugs · « **Reply #9 on:** April 11, 2006, 13:56:28 pm »

Teezee-Having read my post does it sound to you that i'm on the right track? The changes take time to be effective and i want to get it right now as i have to work after the easter holidays and would like to have it sorted out.

teezee · « **Reply #10 on:** April 11, 2006, 14:14:50 pm »

it sounds like you are doing well with it! keep at it and if in a few days you don't see improvements then tweak a bit more - just want to add that sometimes if lo is working on a milestone it can disrupt sleep in the same way you have described as well.

mumto5cuddlebugs · « **Reply #11 on:** April 12, 2006, 07:39:40 am »

LO slept until 6:00 this morning- which is so much better than 4:))am! I fed her and put her back to bed until 7:00 (when i woke her up) which worked, so things are looking good at the moment. Thanks for all your help!

teezee · « **Reply #12 on:** April 12, 2006, 15:50:18 pm »

congrats! i too still have an occasional early waking around here (she seems to be doing it more regularly lately $:-\$ ) and b/c she just went through her nine month growth spurt i was feeding her when she woke around 5:30 which she would take half of a feeding, then a whole feeding again when she woke at 7:30 ish and still fed enormous amounts the rest of the day...well this last week or so it has been totally affecting her daytime intake so i have to start a weaning process for the early am feeding now $:-\$ didn't tihnk i would have to do this again...but...oh well do what you gotta do. if you truly don't mind waking at that time to feed dd, then go for it. you could do as i am going to do and go for the weaning and help lo take in more calories at a more 'appropriate' time so she will sleep the 'entire' night...but i do have to say that you have had AMAZING progress and good for you for staying consistant!! congrats!

mumto5cuddlebugs · « **Reply #13 on:** April 12, 2006, 19:51:51 pm »

Thanks, reading that has cheered me up! I was feeling confident this morning but i've been having a crisis of confidence because dd slept for under an hour this afternoon and was v tired by bed time-she also woke uo about 45 mins after being put to bed. (Think its teeth though). My fingers are crossed for tonight. Whilst i am establishing this routine i have decided to feed her if she wakes after 6:00am and then i will try to wean her off it, as you are, good luck with it. (It seems just when we think everything is settled and predictable baby decides to change things and keep us on our toes!)

teezee · « **Reply #14 on:** April 12, 2006, 20:50:57 pm »

it sounds as though lo just may have been a little overtired as wakings right after putting lo down (within the first few hrs..) is usually due to overtiredness. if you have a nap situation like that again - i would suggest just putting lo to bed at an earlier time. keep me updated - my fingers are crossed for you!

olleezmom · « **Reply #15 on:** April 13, 2006, 14:42:19 pm »

Just an update...we are limiting am nap to 45 minutes, allowing for an hour and 15 minute nap in pm, and in bed by 7:30...still waking between 6 and 6:30, but that's a heck of a lot better than 4:30...Not sure where to go from here. DS is not very interested in eating this week. I think we did our 9 month spurt 2 weeks ago...Like you said, just when you get into a routine, they change it up on us...

Hope all is going well for everyone.
Dawn

teezee · « **Reply #16 on:** April 13, 2006, 14:53:59 pm »

olleezmom - i think that your lo getting 11 hrs night sleep and the naps are a wonderful thing! my lo started only sleeping 11hrs at night at about 8 months and is pretty much taking the same in naps as your lo. congrats!

mumto5cuddlebugs · « **Reply #17 on:** April 16, 2006, 13:47:37 pm »

The new napping routine is still working well for us. My LO is waking between 6:00-6:30 am which is such an improvement. I was worried yesterday because although she slept in the morning we were out with grandparents in the afternoon so she did not sleep then but it did not seem to effect her night time sleep

. I definately think that my LO was napping to early and for to long in the morning and so restricting this seems to have sorted her out. It's been hard work but worth it! I'm going to give it a few more days and then try moving her into share with my toddler, perhaps we can have our bedroom back!
Olleezmom-It's great to hear that things have improved for you, well done!

mumto5cuddlebugs · « **Reply #18 on:** April 17, 2006, 08:16:24 am »

Aggghhh! I spoke to soon, my DD woke up at 4:45am this morning and took along time to get back to sleep. ::)We have done nothing different with the routine so i'm really hoping that it is a one off. I don't know if i can cope with early mornings like today on a regular basis again. The new routine has been going for a week, this morning was the seventh morning- i hope it was a blip.

olleezmom · « **Reply #19 on:** April 17, 2006, 13:57:17 pm »

We had a BLIP too. Past two mornings we've been up at 5 and 5:30. I feel your pain. I'm hoping we will get back on track!

teezee · « **Reply #20 on:** April 17, 2006, 14:31:16 pm »

all i can say is that there is usually some sort of regression when doing somehting new. it could be too if the 'regression' doesn't sort itself out that you need to tweak the routine a bit more.

mumto5cuddlebugs · « **Reply #21 on:** April 17, 2006, 19:13:31 pm »

I have just discovered that dd has a tooth breaking through. I feel very relieved! (Although obviously sympathetic to her pain!) I'm hoping that explains last nights disruption. I have dispensed camomile granules today so hopefully that will help. If she carries on with the early wakings i will do as you say teezee and tweak the routine slightly.
Good luck tonight Olleezmum-hope you don't get to see quite so much of the morning tomorrow!.

teezee · « **Reply #22 on:** April 18, 2006, 03:35:39 am »

are you using any kind of pain reliever for lo? tempra/tylenol? orajel? i always give tylenol (when lo is teething that is!) about 1/2 hr before bed and it usually will get her through 5 hrs or so, then if she wakes i will use the orajel and this usually puts her right back to sleep..

mumto5cuddlebugs · « **Reply #23 on:** April 19, 2006, 07:36:37 am »

Well the teething has messed up all my good work.

The night before last dd woke up at 3:00 and 4:15 because of teeth (fair enough) but this morning she seems to have gone back to early mornings again and woke at 5:30am. I fed her, she went back to sleep and i had to wake her at 7:30am. It's not for extra calories because i don't BF her for a second time (and she doesn't ask for it) and she carries on sleeping so it's not because she has slept enough. Like i said before i hope it is just a glitch and she'll go back on track. I'm not sure what to tweak. At the moment I put her down between 10:00 and 10:30 for 45 mins and then i put her down at 2:00pm for, at the most, an hour and 45 mins (she often wakes up of her own accord before this) and then she goes to bed at 7:15pm. I don'ty know what i can change. I worry that her awake time before her first nap is quite short but then if i push it any later it will begin to infringe on her awake time between that nap and her pm one. (AAAgh! It's so tricky to know what is best)
I have been using Calpol before bed and the teething granules when she wakes.

KMH35 · « **Reply #24 on:** April 19, 2006, 17:18:44 pm »

Hello,

My son has recently started waking habitually at 4:30 AM. I don’t mind his 6 AM wake-up time, but at 4:30 he isn’t waking up happy as he does when he’s rested and really ready to wake up (which used to be between 6 and 7 AM).

How old is your child? 10 mos.

What’s his/her daily routine?
4:30 AM – wakes unhappy, can be calmed sometimes but not always by cuddling with me – I resorted to nursing a few times because I thought he was around his 9 mo. growth spurt, and he nursed heartily. Now he’s okay with not nursing and settled okay in bed with me the last few nights (nothing else worked).
6 AM – Wake for day, breast feed both sides
A – Quiet play, dressing for day, etc. until 7:30 AM when we leave for school (DH and I are teachers and we have daycare on campus)
E - 8 AM –breakfast (solids) at school
A – plays, goes out for a walk, etc.
S – Goes down for a nap anywhere from 9 – 10:30 depending on routine at school (if they walk or not), naps for about 45 min.
E – Breastfeeds, usually after nap around 10:30 or 11 AM, but sometimes before nap (just recently) as they’ve been going out for walks since the weather is nice
A – until noon, when he eats a solid lunch
S – Nap starts anywhere from 1 – 2:30, usually and lasts and hour to an hour and a half
E – Breastfeeds around 3 or 3:30 and we leave for home (or park, grocery store, etc.)
A – Until dinner time at 5
E – Solid dinner at 5
A – Until we start our bedtime routine at 7 (get into PJs, breastfeed, story time, into crib)
S – Asleep by 7:30 or 7:45

Jack falls asleep pretty well, even on nights when he wants to stand in his crib. He rarely wakes between 7:30 – 11 PM, and only occasionally wakes between 11PM– 4:30AM, and during those wakings I can usually help him back to sleep within 15 mins. with some patting and a blankie adjustment. He IS waking at 4:30 AM. You could set a clock by him. He isn’t waking up happy as he had been when he was sleeping through until 6 AM. I go in when he starts to cry, which is pretty soon after I hear him stir. It’s not a mantra cry; he seems genuinely distressed. DH and I work, and after a few nights of trying to settle him, I gave up and now bring him to bed (yes, accidental parenting at it’s worst). He still doesn’t necessarily settle, which is unusual for Jack. If I tuck him in the crook of my arm, he will fall asleep with his head on my shoulder, but sometimes he will still seem restless for about ½ hour. This started when his bottom molars were coming in (just after 9 mos.). At the same time, Jack learned to crawl, stand and cruise (within a week). I also think the top molars are on their way now. So, there is a lot going on with my little man. Just before the bottom molars started coming in, we gave up the binky, which went pretty well. Jack falls asleep fine without it, at night and for naps (even at day care). He does have a lovie, his “blankie bear.” It can sometimes distract him but he isn’t always aware of it. I know we’re dealing with teething, milestones, possibly separation anxiety (I’m seeing mild instances of it during the day, but he recovers quickly)…Will this just run it’s course? I have considered wake-to-sleep but the first night I tried (2 nights ago), he woke on his own at 3:30, woke up fully, and settled again to sleep until…4:30 AM! I decided to wait to try again until Thursday night through the weekend. Any advice? Suggestions?

Thanks so much,
Karen

olleezmom · « **Reply #25 on:** April 19, 2006, 19:28:55 pm »

The last two teeth are about to break through any time now! Perhaps that will cure us of the early morning wakies!!! I hope so! Inconsistent the last few days to say the least 5 am one day, 5:30 the next, 6:15 this morning! His appetite is also very inconsistent....one day he can't eat enough, today, doesn't want to "eat" anything, but wants to nurse FOREVER!!! I feel so bad for him...how much those teeth must hurt, although he isn't really cranky! He is also super tired for his afternoon nap, wanting to sleep way longer than 1.5 hours, difficult to wake him...ooops, I spoke too soon, I hear him now! Hope everyone is getting some rest

teezee · « **Reply #26 on:** April 19, 2006, 19:55:28 pm »

karen,
wake to sleep may work since it may be a habit formed through all that teething. i would give it a try for a few days and see how it goes.

if lo is going down for the first nap at 10:30 after being awake since 6am, i think that may be too long..i think that 3-3.5hrs is more suitable for a lo this in keeping them from getting overtired which 'may' have somehting to do with the early waking also, as it does not seem that he is getting too much sleep.

have you tried putting lo to bed a little bit earlier to see if that affects the wake ups? if lo is waking up at 3pm and up until almost 8pm that may be too long of an A time before bed also. you could maybe try 15-min to a half hr earlier to see if it makes a difference.

KMH35 · « **Reply #27 on:** April 20, 2006, 00:52:04 am »

Teezee,

Thanks for your advice. I will try wake-to-sleep starting tomorrow night. Wish me luck!

It's funny that you mentioned the length of A time. At school Jack is suddenly having trouble falling asleep for naps (within the last 2 weeks) and they actually asked today if they could have the binky back for naps only at school. We stopped using the binky one month ago and he did fine without it at school for the first 2 weeks. Why now? Well, I was pondering that this afternoon and realized that on many days Jack is getting his morning nap as late as 11 AM. That's 5 hours of A time in the morning. This is happening because it's warm out and they're keeping the babies up to walk. After we 1st weaned from the binky, Jack was still getting his morning nap by 9:30 AM at the latest. Also, as Jack has gotten older, his sleepy cues are a little more subtle. They have been putting him in for his afternoon nap later, too. He's mellow - A textbook guy, I think. He doesn't start to fuss until he's REALLY overtired, and then it's going to be so much harder to help him fall asleep. I think you hit the nail on the head with your response! I started the wind down routine 1/2 hour earlier tonight (since he actually didn't get an afternoon nap at school - I got him to sleep and then there was a lot of noise in the room and he woke up and they waited a long time to try again and he only napped on the way home in the car - arrgh). So, Jack was asleep by 7 PM. I think I'll try that for a little bit and see if it helps, especially since he cut out the pre-dinner cat nap about a month ago.

Thanks for your suggestions. I appreciate it!

Karen

teezee · « **Reply #28 on:** April 20, 2006, 04:59:34 am »

good luck and let me know how things are going hun!

KMH35 · « **Reply #29 on:** April 20, 2006, 14:54:19 pm »

Teezee,

Well, they tried using the binky at daycare but Jack didn't want it! Yay! AND they started getting him ready for his morning nap at 9:15 AM instead of 10:30 or 11 AM and they were able to help him to sleep in 15 minutes! He's been asleep now for 1 hr. and 20 mins. That's a good start! Hopefully some good day time sleep, a slightly earlier bed time, and wake to sleep will help Jack get past that 4:30 AM wake up (he's so tired and upset then).

Keeping my fingers crossed...

teezee · « **Reply #30 on:** April 20, 2006, 15:18:27 pm »

a very good start - it is def a balancing act to get A time, naps, and night sleep to all coincide and may take a bit of tweaking here and there but i am sure you will start seeing improvements soon! just remember good sleep begets good sleep..but having too much naps (for 10 months i would say over 2.5hrs/naps per day is ok - but all lo's are different) could also contribute to night wakings. i also wouldn't go past 4 hrs A time in the pm...a.m A time 'should' be the shortest of the day. keeping my fingers crossed!

mumto5cuddlebugs · « **Reply #31 on:** April 21, 2006, 05:59:46 am »

Teezee,

Sorry to bother you but do you have anymore advice re my last post. DD has resumed waking between 4:00am and 5:00am, since her teeth gave her that bother. Yesterday i thought it was getting beter as she woke at 6:00am, but this morning it was 4:45am. However yesterday i fed her at 6:00am and she did not go back to sleep and her nap was at 10:00am, is this to much A time, pehaps if she is awake and up early her am nap should be earlier? Whereas today although she was up early she has had actually had more sleep because she has gone back to sleep and i'll wake her at about 7:15am. I'm struggling as to know what to do next. Me and DH are sleeping downstairs to help the situation and we need to get her into DS bedroom. Also the easter hols are over so i'm supply teaching again and am absoloutely exhausted with working, looking after dd and running around after ds (who does not stop chatting!) Everything was great for a week and i don't know what to do to get that back. Any advice would be much appreciated, thanks

ps I have seen mention of wake to sleep but i don't really understand what this is ? Would it help my situation?

olleezmom · « **Reply #32 on:** April 21, 2006, 12:14:56 pm »

THIS IS NOT WORKING!!! LO was up from 12:20-2 this morning, then up again at 5!! Now I feel like not only is he not getting enough sleep at night, but by limiting his naps during the day he is not getting the sleep he is missing! I am at a loss! Those two teeth still have not broken through, but you can feel his swollen gums. I gave Tylenol at 1:30, then again this morning! I'm not sure what problem I need to fix, or how at this point!

KMH35 · « **Reply #33 on:** April 21, 2006, 12:49:20 pm »

Hello,

I wish I had some advice to offer but I also only have a question! I tried wake to sleep last night (1st of 3). I roused Jack slightly at 3:15 to hopefully bypass the 4:15 or 4:30 wake-up and it seemed to work as he made it until 5 this morning. What next? Do I rouse him again at 3:15 or do I move it to 4, an hour before he woke up today? Also, I know I should be looking for movement under his eyelids, but I can't see them in the light from the night light and I think turning the light on would be a little too much rousing. I tickled his cheeks a little and rubbed his tummy and he shifted position a few times. I hoped that would be enough...Not sure what cues to look for.

Thanks!!!!

teezee · « **Reply #34 on:** April 21, 2006, 15:45:52 pm »

wake to sleep may help if it is a habit that lo has now formed - you just go in a rouse lo a little but do not actually wake an hr before the usual wake up time. as far as waking early / later - when this happens i just go with it and give naps at the reg amount of time that lo is ok to be up for - unless she's not necessarily NEEDING a nap (if she got more am sleep than usual) then i will stretch it out a bit to try and get the day 'back on track'. i do think in the am 4 hrs is a bit much - my 10 mth old is just starting to be able to do 4 hrs in the pm...you may want to cut back on that a bit and see if it helps - all lo's are different, and do remember there is always some sort of regression with any steps forward you take it just really sucks when something like teething comes up and throws everything off track again (it always seems to happen that way as soon as you make any progress too doesn't it?!) also, it looks like lo's 9mth growth spurt could be coming up - you may want to try adding more bm/formula during the day (pumping a bit now to get ready to up your supply if bfing) so it will keep those night wakings away when it does come. howmuch total naps is lo getting a day now? hth.

olleezmom- have you tried orajel when the wakings occur? when my lo is teething i give her tylenol before bed (a half hr or so, so that she still eats well

) and then at any other night wakings orajel usually puts her right back to sleep..can be tricky doing this with the lights of but i think i am getting the hang of it now! if she is continually waking after that i would offer more tylenol as long as it has been enough time since the last dose. again, how much total naps is lo getting/day?

kmh35 - i personally haven't tried wake to sleep - but did read about it in tracy's new book and it says for at least three days to do wts at the same time. if you then notice a later night waking, i would then do it an hr before that wake up for three days to see if that helps. good luck!

mumto5cuddlebugs · « **Reply #35 on:** April 21, 2006, 16:33:57 pm »

Thanks for reply Teezee, we are keeping you very busy!
I am feeling more positive now my days teaching is over and it's the weekend!

You are right, as soon as you feel you are progressing baby begins to teeth or gets a cold or something! I was so proud for the first week when this was working!

Dd is sleeping for upto 2.5 hours a day. Her morning nap is limited to 45mins and then she sleeps from 1 hour to 1hour 45 in pm. Today she woke after 1 hour 15. (But then she did get that extra sleep after her early waking this morning)
I think if dd wakes between 6:00-7:00am and does not go back to sleep then i will put her down for nap earlier in am (and maybe for 15 mins longer?) As i agree, 4 hours is a long time. However if she wakes up before 6:00 (fingers crossed that she won't) and goes back to sleep as she usually does then i will wake her at 7:30 and put her down at normal time for 45mins(about 10:30) Sorry-just thinking aloud and organizing my thoughts, does it sound like it makes any sense at all?
I hope she is not going to grow too much! The health visitor measured her at 73 cm yesterday and said that she is very long for her age! I will begin to prepare for growth spurt though as am bf.

teezee · « **Reply #36 on:** April 22, 2006, 04:44:03 am »

no problem - that's what i am here for!

you should still be proud of the progress that you and your lo made - it just shows that it is possible and that you guys can do it!!

you said that 'she got extra sleep from the early waking this morning'...could you elaborate on that some? it could be you are getting early wakings due to the fact that she is in fact getting extra sleep in the morning and therefore not NEEDING it at night..

mumto5cuddlebugs · « **Reply #37 on:** April 22, 2006, 07:42:23 am »

Hiya, Well, she woke yesterday at 4:45am i left her in her bed because she was gurgling happily until about 5ish and then when it turned into the inevitable cry because i was working yesterday i bf her and she went back to sleep about 20 mins later so because she had lost almost an hours sleep i left her in bed until 7:45am (which is when i had to leave the house. Whereas she is normally got up at 7:00am.
Yesterday she slept for an hour 10:00-11:00am and then for an hour 5mins from 2:00 until 3:05 (when she woke and did not want to go back to sleep.)

I know it is not rational but i feel like a complete failure this morning, dd was awake at 4:30am. She again was happy gurgling for about 20mins and then she started to cry so dh tried giving her some water which upset her even more, when i tried to bf she was not really interested (but then i was quite emotional by then so it probably put her off!) She eventually went back to sleep at about 6:00 and then woke at about 8:00. I did not wake her earlier as this time she has lost an hour and a halfs sleep. (In fact i went grocery shopping at 6:10 this morning just to get out the house! Atleast the supermarket was quiet!)

I'm begining to feel quite helpless. I think it is because my ds was such a great sleeper and also i have friends who are doing accidental parenting and so have a hard time but i have always tried to do it right iynwim. I do not pick her up unnecessarily, i always put her to bed awake and i have never let her sleep in our bed. Although i do not let her get to distressed i do not run as soon as she makes a sound as i know that she may settle herself. I try to do best by Molly rather than by me, so at bedtime i do not pick her up if she cries as i know that although it will make me feel better it won't help her. (which has worked because we have no problem with her settling)
I'm sorry-i am ranting now but i feel that it must be something i'm doing wrong and in some way that i am letting her down.
Like you said it worked for a week so we can do it i'm just not sure how.
Thanks ever so much for all your help, i don't know what we would have done without you. You give us somthing positive to work on and i always feel better when i have a plan. (It must be the teacher side of me!)

teezee · « **Reply #38 on:** April 23, 2006, 01:14:16 am »

imo i think that consistancy in what you choose to do will help your lo alot as she will then know what to expect no matter what - i know with working and being woken so much (early) it is hard - but do your best.

also, i think you may be making it worse by letting her 'catch' up on sleep - if she lost an hr..or anything - don't let her sleep past her normal wake up time as it may get worse and she may wake earlier and earlier as she is able to 'catch' up on the sleep later in the morning kwim? if she is able to make up sleep, then why sleep through the whole night?...hth

{{{{{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}}}}}} you are doing a great job - and keep up the great work - there are always roadblocks - it's just getting by them!

mumto5cuddlebugs · « **Reply #39 on:** April 23, 2006, 07:07:33 am »

Thanks! She is definately keeping me on my toes! She slept until 6:45am this morning, which is fantastic but it sort of feels like she is testing me! Fingers crossed it was not a one off. I will not let her sleep past 7:30am any more then no matter what happens. Should i adjust nap times if she loses sleep and is overtired? For example i normally put her down at 10:00 for 45 mins, should i put her down a bit earlier if she has lost sleep early in the am or try to keep her up, and should i extend the nap by 15 mins or be strict and keep it the same as usual (45mins)
ITA about consistency so obviously i woudn't want to make any drastic changes. I just really want her to sleep through for another night. She seems to randomly sleep through every now and again-giving me false hope!
Thanks again for your advice, i'm feeling a bit better about things today (sleep helps!). It's working that is making it hard i think, i did not work until my ds was over a year old so it is all new to me.
Hope things are going well with you and your little one and the weaning in the early am is going well.

teezee · « **Reply #40 on:** April 24, 2006, 00:53:54 am »

if lo wakes early def try to keep on track WITHOUT letting lo get overtired - extend an extra 15 min if possible by doing low key A time kwim? tracy always stresses that TIME isn't the most important thing when it comes to our lo's rather - routine and reading lo's cues. keep the nap at the same amount of time, if lo NEEDS to make up the lost sleep i think it would be better to let lo get 15 more min in the pm rather than the am.

i just have to give you props as i had a hard time with night/early wakings and i don't work! so good for you for being so diligant and receptive with your lo!!! (pat on the back for you!!!

)

thanks for asking, things are actually better with my lo...she is now sleeping til about 7:30 (average lately) and that is soo ok with me! i am glad to hear you got a good night's sleep - i used to always think when my dd would have the odd good day...night's sleep that 'i must be getting close' ! always gave me more hope and more determination for the next night! keep up whatever you are doing..it must be right!

mumto5cuddlebugs · « **Reply #41 on:** April 24, 2006, 06:31:05 am »

Ok, thanks that advice will come in handy today as dd woke at 6:15am (yay! Another full night!) so it is a long time until her 10am nap. I will do as you suggest and watch out for her signals and maybe put her down earlier if required but not for a longer amount of time. I'll probably need to extend pm nap slightly.
I'm glad to hear things are going well for you and LO.

7:30am is great and is what i'm striving towards! I'm now struggling because i have tonsillitus! It's one thing after another! Luckily i have a very supportive dh who is taking day off work to look after ds and dd. (My ds is such a chatterbox that a sorethroat makes life very difficult!) Fingers crossed dd sleeps for a third night.
Thanks again for your help.

KMH35 · « **Reply #42 on:** April 24, 2006, 17:20:04 pm »

Hello Teezee,

I also have to say a big thank you for your advice! DS slept until 6 AM this morning (after a few weeks of 4:30 AM wake ups). I started wake to sleep on Thursday night. On Fri. night DS woke on his own at 3:30 AM but wasn't upset - just sitting in his crib, and I was able to help him back to sleep in 15 mins. Phew! He made it from then until 5:30 and nursed and then went back to sleep for a bit. Sat. night he made it until 5 AM, so I nursed him and then he napped until 6 (our goal wake-up time). Last night (Sun. night) I didn't set my watch for 3:30 AM. DS woke around 4:00 but wasn't crying. I could just hear him moving and talking some over the monitor. He seemed to play for a little bit, made a few little settling cries and then got himself back to sleep within the 1/2 hour, and then slept through until 6AM! Yay! I am prepared for set backs but that was a great sign. I'm also starting our wind-down routine 1/2 earlier so that Jack is asleep by 7, and his naps at school are going a bit better. They're not always able to get him down easily but have had much more luck since they've been starting nap time earlier. We'll see what happens but we're making progress... That 2nd molar is almost in, too, so hopefully teething pain is behind us for a little while.

Thanks again!
Karen

teezee · « **Reply #43 on:** April 25, 2006, 03:01:41 am »

so glad both of you have made so much progress!! keep up the wonderful work!!!!!!!!

mumto5cuddlebugs · « **Reply #44 on:** April 25, 2006, 06:19:29 am »

I am whispering this because i don't want to jinx it but.... she slept through until 6:45 am and it is the third night now, yay!
Thank-you, thank-you, thank-you!

teezee · « **Reply #45 on:** April 25, 2006, 19:43:53 pm »

... i could barely hear since you were whisperering so quietly

mumto5cuddlebugs · « **Reply #46 on:** April 28, 2006, 16:08:10 pm »

LO is sleeping through until after 6:00am now!!! In fact this morning she slept until 7:10am. Yipeee!!!

Thank you again for all your advice and your patience. We are going to move little one into toddlers bedroom tomorrow and will be able to sleep in our own bedroom again. Thank you, thank you, Thank you!

teezee · « **Reply #47 on:** April 28, 2006, 16:11:49 pm »

i am soo happy for you guys - time to start living normally again - yiiippppeeee!!!!!!!!!!

btw - i just gave some suggestions and you did all the hard work

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Author Topic: HELP very very early wakings (Read 5778 times)