If your child wakes you up every morning before the sun rises, he may be missing out on adequate rest and preventing you from getting anything remotely close to eight hours of sleep. Although your toddler may naturally wake up earlier in the day than you might want, you can also arrange his sleep schedule to prevent those early wake-up calls. As you establish a consistent sleep regimen, both you and your child will get a better night's rest and wake up feeling refreshed.
Step 1
Determine if your child is waking up because he has gotten adequate sleep, or if your child is waking up without adequate sleep, suggests Deborah Lin-Dyken, M.D., pediatric sleep disorders expert at "Baby Center." If your child is getting less than 11 hours of sleep, seems tired during the day or naps a few hours after getting up, he is probably not getting enough sleep.
Step 2
Keep the room as dark as possible, even in the early morning hours. You may need to install blinds or curtains in your child's windows to help keep daylight out. Sleeping in a dark room may help keep your child sleeping for an extra hour or two.
Step 3
Install a timed nightlight to turn on at the time you'd like your child to wake up. If your child sees the light off, it means it is still nighttime, says Dr. Lin-Dyken. When your child sees the light turn on, it means it is time to wake up. This way, your child can determine whether or not it is okay to wake you up by looking at the light.
Step 4
Put your child to bed at the same time every night, including the weekends, recommends Ashley Merryman of "New York Magazine." Making your child's bedtime early on one night and late on the other is like adding jet lag your child's schedule, says Merryman.
Step 5
Adjust your child's bedtime, either earlier or later. In some cases, an earlier bedtime can help your child sleep later because he may establish a stronger sleeping pattern earlier in the night that will keep him stay in a deep sleep. If your child is getting adequate sleep, move his bedtime later to see if he will sleep later. Stay consistent with the new bedtime for several weeks before determining if it is effective for your child.
Tips and Warnings
- Establish a soothing bedtime routine to help your child wind down for a more productive sleep.
- Consult a doctor if your child is unable to sleep throughout the night or is having frequent nightmares.
Things You'll Need
- Blinds or curtains
- Timed nightlight
