HELP! I Need Sleep Advice for My Toddler!

Well, this will probably be an unpopular response, but my advice would be to just bring him into bed with you when he wakes up and snuggle him back to sleep. That is what we do in our house with both of our kids, and we all sleep long, well-rested nights.

He may need more night time parenting right now, it isn't just a day-time job (parenting) so you may just have to go into night time snuggle mode for a bit to get him through it. He just needs reassurance that you are there with him all the time.

Hang in there.

Hi R., this is going to sound strange but I would suggest an earlier bedtime. You said he is exhausted by 7:30, that means his bedtime is too late, he should be sleepy but not over-tired. When a child goes t0 bed over-tired they wake up more in the night, and that is exactly what 4:40 am is-night! Put him to bed by 6:30 or 7:00 and if he wakes up too early go in and tell him it is still night and that you will come get him when the sun is up. Then stay out. It shouldn't take long to break this cycle.
I am a Sleep Consultant and Parenting Coach, if you need more help I can help you over the phone. Please go to my website for more info www.theindependentchild.com
Good Luck!
K.

Hi R., A nee baby on the way and a new home, he's probably just adjusting to the changes in his life, Depending on what kind of a 2 year old, if he's up early and you are still tired, let him lay in his room. My first born which will be 25 this month, he would wake up early and play in his room. or go to the livingroom andwatch erly morning cartoons, he knew how to workthe TV, VCR and remote, so that's what he did, he was a very good 2 year old, I could truxt that he wouldn't get in to anything, or climb on stuff he as really great, still is. J. L. Oh congradulations on your new baby to come. JulieL.

I agree with the other Moms that it could be a response to the new apartment and just little changes in his life. I don't know if you have him in a crib or bed but if he can get up and play for a while, he may just go back to sleep. Maybe making a stuffed animal available for play will help. I think his schedule sounds great and he's doing all the 2 yr things. I would keep his 730 bedtime. I've also made my son's room pretty kid-safe, enough so that if I'm really tired, I will bring a pillow and lie down in the room while he plays. I close his door and turn on the light and let him play. If I snooze for a minute, I know that he is in a safe environment, plus 2 yr olds don't let you sleep for long. I think he will eventually revert back. The lack of sleep will catch up with him. Just try and rest when you can and do what you are doing.
Congratulations on number 2!

My best recommendation would be putting some of his favorite toys in his bed with him - maybe you can encourage him to play by himself in bed when he wakes up. It might take a few weeks, but once he realizes he can't get out of bed or atleast up for the day, his schedule may adjust. We went for a few weeks with my daughter up playing during the night - after a while we realized there was little we could do, so we left her alone to play and she would go back to sleep on her own. We always leave her nightlight on so she can see to play, but then it is dark enough to go back to sleep!

Hi R.:
Toddlers, this age,are going through alot of changes. They are maturing, and becoming more independant, developing their own little personalities and they have wild imaginations.With these changes come new fears. Such as..The dark. The boogy man in the closet, Dreams...(are they real? Losing their mom or dad in the night!Parents need to try their best to calm these fears.Reasure their toddlers,that they are close by. Give them a little nite light,and leave the door ajar.I can remember, as a small girl,being very frightened of the dark.I'm quite sure there are many of us mothers, that can remember those fears.I believe, that your son is not merely experiencing those normal changes a toddler goes through,but he is attempting to adjust to an entirely new enviroment. Even if he loves his new home,its not familar,and his new surroundings are going to take him a little time to get use to.Imagine, if you will. Falling asleep,and awakening in a new room,that was unfamilar. with the room pitch black, the door shut closed,and you think your all alone! I don't know about you, but even at my ripe age, it sounds scary!! The best advice I could give you R., is to soothe your son, until he becomes more comfortable in his new home.Remember, that hes just a little guy,but that he shares much of the same feelings and fears, that you do,and who doesn't need reasurance and a hug from time to time? I wish you and your darlin son the best.

I wish I could help, but I'm recently in the same boat! My 28 month old has stopped napping, goes to bed at 7PM and used to sleep until 6:30/7AM. Now she's waking at 5:30. She has been telling me she's scared of the dark, so maybe it's a developmental thing for both our kiddos. I find that if I keep her up later, she wakes even earlier!!