My nearly 3 yr old has started waking up at all hours.... | ExpatWoman.com
 

My nearly 3 yr old has started waking up at all hours....

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EW GURU
Latest post on 12 July 2011 - 10:38

and driving us all crazy! Up until relatively recently, he slept very well, waking any time between 6 and 7, having slept around 7.15. Daytime nap had largely gone, but he would still have one on the odd occasion. This morning he had me up between 3 and 5am non stop! His room is dark, he is in a big bed but happily so for a while....
any advice? should i just lock the stairgate at the entrance to his room and let him scream blue murder until he realises night time is night time? Both DH and I work full time (DS at nursery), so this is proving to be very tough....especially as he is now a little monster as he is always so tired...
any thoughts much appreciated! thanks

498
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 13 July 2011 - 19:35
Hi CM, I am desperate for one of these but I don't hink you can buy them here? We are going to England at the beginning of august so will definitely be hunting one down! Hi Snugs - you can also buy a timer which costs next to nothing and you can plug your regular night light into it. ON - time to sleep. OFF - time to wake up!
498
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 13 July 2011 - 19:31
Hi Jules, My DS did the same thing at 3 (still is 3) and I did exactly what Snug recommends. It was tough, and I was super tired, but I didn't cave in. The first time he came out, I said quietly bur firmly, this is night time and it is time to sleep. Go back to bed. Every time he came out of his room after this, I picked him up the and lay him back in his bed without uttering a word, and without lingering behind. Back, forth, back, forth probably about 10 times... Next night did the same thing, but less. Following night, yet again, but after 3 times he got.. Night 4 all was OK! He still wakes up every now and then, and I sometimes bring him to bed with me, and sometimes I take him back and lay with him for 2 mins. I think sometimes he just needs to know we are around. Good luck!
722
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EW GURU
Latest post on 13 July 2011 - 15:58
Thank you ladies. I explained to him very clearly what would happen ie gate would close last night as i was putting him to bed and miraculously he stayed asleep till 6am this morning! Lots of praise today, and fingers crossed it lasts.... BTW, he does have a gro clock, set to turn to sunshine at 6am, completely understands the concept, just doesnt follow it!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 12 July 2011 - 22:06
oh, i googled it.. cool and i like :D
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EW GURU
Latest post on 12 July 2011 - 22:05
Im sorry to hear ur experience but I wont let him cry out... i agree with Snugs about consistency... Dear Cheeky MOnkey, what is Gro-clock? please elaborate... http://www.gro.co.uk/Gro-clock.html Fab, fab fab!!! :D :D
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 12 July 2011 - 22:03
Im sorry to hear ur experience but I wont let him cry out... i agree with Snugs about consistency... Dear Cheeky MOnkey, what is Gro-clock? please elaborate...
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EW GURU
Latest post on 12 July 2011 - 22:03
Hmmm, possibly not, we got ours in the UK... definitely worth the luggage space! :D
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 12 July 2011 - 22:01
Hi CM, I am desperate for one of these but I don't hink you can buy them here? We are going to England at the beginning of august so will definitely be hunting one down!
858
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EW GURU
Latest post on 12 July 2011 - 21:57
Have you thought of trying a Gro-clock? I swear by mine and recommend it to every parent I speak to almost! And no, I don't have shares in the company, sadly! They don't work for every child, but at his age he will be able to understand the concept. Good luck, there's nothing worse than a bad night's sleep!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 12 July 2011 - 21:24
I think a stair gate is a good idea but not to the extent he feels locked in. You need to show you mean business and not accept it. Explain to him before he goesnto bed that if he gets out of bed before wake up time you will keep putting him back... The hard part is doing it, but consistency pays off, he is testing the boundaries, so just keep putting hom back to bed, no talking, and repeat until he stays put. The first night may take a couple of hours, the second night, the same, but after three of four nights he will learn that it is a no-win situation. It will be hard, and you will want to give in, but don't! remember, no talking, consistency will pay off and you will be back to normal in no time. Good luck and remember to keep smiling inwardly to yourself and keep your cool! Your DH needs to support you 100% on this as well, otherwise younwill be back to square one.
 
 

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