3 year old wakes at 5 AM! Help!?

Question

My son has always been one of those overlytired, poor sleeper kind, even as a baby. His sleep patterns started getting very good around 18 months where he'd sleep 7-7 like clockwork. He just turned 3 and about 7 months ago, we moved him to his twin bed b/c of a new baby. It went well for about 2 months then all h**l broke loose. He now goes down between 7:30 and 8:30(which is fine, but he wakes anywhere between 4:30-5:30 and WON'T go back to sleep! I've gotten to the point where I just try and keep him in his room(no toys in there) but by 9am, he's got bags under his eyes and is irritable and I just looks miserable. He still naps(which have also always been a struggle), but no matter how long the nap(usually only 1-1.5 hrs) or how early we put him down(he'll squirm until normal bedtime), it makes no difference. We've got black out curtains and everything...HELP! Any thoughts?

Answer 1

"Only" a 1.5 hour nap?

I would simply stop the naps. Many three year olds don't have one at all, and I certainly wouldn't give one to a child who was regularly waking up that early.

Answer 2

Get use to it.  a lot of kids when they start to get older around 3 and so naturals clock will start to work and will have a habit to get up early. I was one of those always getting up early and now my nephew 7 gets up at 4 everyday on his own and plays or watches tv until his parents get up.  Don't expect it to change until he starts high school

Answer 3

Try this more physical activity. Also if this does not work On Demand has a preschool channel 24 hours a day. It has great learning shows that are good 4 your restless baby. Try letting him watch a little tv while he is up. Also put some of his favorite toys in his r3oom3 make his space inviting.

Answer 4

in addition to the first suggestion, a warm bath? maybe some aromatherapy?

can you move his bedtime back a few hours?

Answer 5

scotch and milk never hurt us as babies maybe you should try it out on him

Answer 6

Why is a three year old still having a nap ?

This is the biggest problem ..make his room darker and take him for a walk to help burn off his energy ..My twins stopped napping at 2 and a half , they slept a lot better

Answer 7

Try keeping him up until 9pm, and try to put a stop to  his naps, I had the same problem with my son also, but I tried keeping him up a little later and it does the trick. Good luck,

Answer 8

Put him to bed later.

Answer 9

try puting hem in bed around 9:30 to 10:30

Answer 10

Well, that IS a big problem, may I suggest super- comfy pillows? A bedtime story? A kid friendly room?... dolls???