Join our Tinyhood sleep consultant, Arielle Driscoll, for a one hour live Q&A. Arielle will be here to answer all of your questions about naps, night wakings, and more!
My 2 year old sleeps from 7:30 to 5:30, but he's not actually ready to get up a 5:30. Usually he will sleep in bed with me for another 45 minutes. I've tried to leave him crying, but he never lays back down and then is a cranky monster until nap time. Is there anything I can do to get him to sleep a little longer?
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Arielle D.
Hi Ashley! |
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Ashley That's actually an improvement. He used to get up at 4:30, but eventually he kind of worked it out himself to 5 and then 5:30. |
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Ashley Also, we have black out shades in his room, so I don't think it is the light. |
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Arielle D.
Ah ok. So some kids are just early risers (just like some adults!). That being said, can you tell me what his daytime schedule looks like? When does he nap and for how long? |
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Ashley He naps from 12-2 at daycare pretty consistently. Sometimes on the weekend he will sleep from 11-1, but he still goes to bed and gets up at the same time. I wouldn't mind him getting up at 5:30 if he was ready to get up, but he doesn't seem to be. |
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Arielle D.
Ok, I would try putting him to bed earlier. I know it sounds counterintuitive, but earlier bedtime leads to a later wakeup! Especially given when he wakes, I would aim to have him asleep no later than 7 p.m. I would also introduce an "ok to wake clock" and set it for 6 a.m. (for now). When the light turns green, it's "ok" for him to get up for the day. |
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Ashley We will give it a try! Thank you. |
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Arielle D.
You're welcome! Let me know how it goes! |
Suggestions on how to sleep train when little one might have separation anxiety? He is so calm when I lay him next to me on my bed but immediately gets hysterical when I put him in the crib. I have tried to lean over and cuddle him there when I put him down, or after a few minutes when he's still screaming, but it doesn't help.
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Arielle D.
Hi Cara, |
Hi Arielle!
I know we've touched on this before. Could you talk a little more about what the best way is to make the switch to a toddler bed and why it's best to wait? Thanks!!!
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Arielle D.
Hi Maria, |
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Arielle D.
Hi Stacey! |
What are your thoughts on increasing lengths of wake time over that course of the day (2, 2.5, 3 hours for example), vs. the same wake time (such as always 2.5 hours)?
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Arielle D.
Hi Cara, |
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Cara 6 months |
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Arielle D.
At 6 months, my recommended schedule is: |
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Cara Would you wake the baby if he's sleeping? Or what if they wake earlier? He tends to wake around 5, and I have a hard time getting him back to sleep without nursing or bringing him into bed with me. |
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Arielle D.
I would definitely wake if he's still sleeping at 7. If he's awake before 6, I would not get up and start the day with him any sooner than 6 a.m. |