Early Wakeups

There are some children who are early risers.  There are things to look at first to see if the issue can be mitigated.  For example, black-out curtains, white noise machines to cover outside noises, possible illness, overtiredness, temperature (too warm or too cold),etc.  These are all things to be considered.  If however, despite all this, you have an early riser no matter what AND the child is well-rested, you may consider these options below to gradually shift the wakeup time later hopefully.  (These come from the comments section on Dr Weissbluth's blog).  Dr Weissbluth recommends first an earlier bedtime to see if that helps the early waking.  I definitely would do that.  But he does say it could possibly backfire and cause early wakeups.  So a little later bedtime in slow increments may help push the wakeup time later.  Note he does say this may not apply to over-tired children.  With over-tired children, usually making bedtime later is not the answer.   And he also states the strategy rarely works in children who are very young. 
But if you are tired of waking early daily, it may be worth a shot!


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Stephanie Says:
September 9, 2010 at 1:26 pm | Reply
Can anyone comment on how long it took to see a later wake-time with a slightly later bed-time? I know HSHHC suggests instituting a later bedtime (assuming the child is well-rested overall) then waiting four days. However, I am wondering if after four days, if there is no change (and the wake-up remains the same or earlier), do you continue to push with later bedtimes or go back to the earlier one?

• weissbluthmethod Says:
  September 9, 2010 at 1:51 pm | Reply You have to balance the possible problems with a later bedtime (less net night sleep for a while or bedtime battles) with the hoped for benefits, a later wake-up time. Each child is different because of age, number and duration of naps, self-soothing skills, and so forth. So there is no hard and fast rule regarding the number of days you might try a later bedtime or how much later you will make the bedtime. Trial and error is the method. Be patient.
  Marc
  
  • Stephanie Says:
    September 9, 2010 at 3:16 pm What if the later bedtime produces a wake-time that is even earlier than the previous? If this occurs over several days, is that a sign you are going in the wrong direction? Or, simply a hiccup in the process of adjusting the wake-time? Thanks.
    
• Andrea Says:
  September 9, 2010 at 3:54 pm | Reply Stephanie,
  I had to wait about two weeks to see a later wake-up time with my son when I finally stuck with a later bedtime (around 6:30) at somewhere between 18-24 months 9I can’t remember exactly what age, but he was definitely only taking one nap a day). I can’t comment on what to do if it leads to earlier wake times — he just continued to wake up at the same time for two weeks until it finally took. Good luck!

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Kari Says:
January 25, 2010 at 9:57 pm | Reply
Yes, Carla, I don’t know about you, but I get tired of trying to explain to people how difficult it is to make the wake-up time later.
I don’t know whether the Drs. Weissbluth follow the comments on this blog, but if they do, I would love to hear their comments on this topic.

• Carla Says:
  January 25, 2010 at 11:42 pm | Reply I would LOVE the Drs. opinion!!!
  
  • weissbluthmethod Says:
    January 26, 2010 at 12:47 am For well rested children (this might not apply to over-tired children) who are not napping, when parents slowly move the bedtime later (10-20 minutes) every several days, after a few weeks, the wake up time often becomes later. The reason to do it slowly is to prevent the development of bed-time battles from a second wind. This strategy rarely works for children who are very young and taking two naps every day. It sometimes works for children who are taking a single nap. Go for it!!
    Marc
    ps
    I read the comments but I am sometimes unable to respond because there are too many variables or because I know that the answers have already been discussed in previous posts.
    MW
    
    There are some children who are early risers.  There are things to look at first to see if the issue can be mitigated.  For example, black-out curtains, white noise machines to cover outside noises, possible illness, overtiredness, temperature (too warm or too cold),etc.  These are all things to be considered.  If however, despite all this, you have an early riser no matter what AND the child is well-rested, you may consider these options to gradually shift the wakeup time later hopefully.  Dr Weissbluth recommends first and earlier bedtime to see if that helps the early waking.  But he does say it could possibly backfire and cause early wakeups.  So a little later bedtime in slow increments may help push the wakeup time later.  Note he does say this may not apply to over-tired children.  With over-tired children, usually making bedtime later is usually not the answer.   And he also states the strategy rarely works in children who are very young. 
    But if you are tired of waking early daily, it may be worth a shot!