Coping with an early riser

While some children are happy to sleep in, it’s fair to say that many toddlers love to get up at the crack of dawn and make the most of the day.

The thought that by the time they reach their teens they will be sleeping until midday is scant consolation, so what can we do now to try and get a few more hours of sleep? The short answer is that there is no guarantee that any particular technique will work, but here are some suggestions:

Going to bed later

While in theory this ought to solve the problem, it’s no guarantee that you’ll get a lie-in. You may find that your child wakes at the same time, regardless of when they went to bed, but is irritable as opposed to cheerful, if they haven’t had their usual quota of sleep. Many children simply seem to be programmed to wake at the same time regardless of how much sleep they have had, and you may not be able to change this.

Light-filtering blinds or thick curtains

For those toddlers who tend to wake up when it gets light, this can often buy weary parents a bit more sleep, especially in summer when it gets light earlier and dark a lot later.

Controlled crying

For young children who are relentlessly early wakers, controlled crying can help get them back to sleep, but depending on the time they wake you may well end up just managing to get them off to sleep in time for you to get up, so the benefit may be minimal.

Quiet toys in crib/bed

One technique which does work with many children is to put interesting but quiet toys in their crib or by their bed, to encourage them to play quietly once they wake up. Try putting soft cloth books and other interactive soft toys in easy reach, and rewarding them for playing quietly by themselves. Do remember that putting soft toys in the cribs of young babies can pose a SIDS risk, so make sure you wait until your baby is at least 15 months old before you do this and check the toys for small parts etc that they could choke on in the cot.

Alarm clock

There are many alarm clocks available now with gentle rings and sounds which are suitable for children – set it for a reasonable hour, and tell your toddler not to disturb you until the alarm has gone off. If they have enough to do in their room, you may find that this approach works well, and can even help to reinforce their ability to tell the time later on.

Why not chat to other parents about this, or other topics, by leaving a message on our chat forum. You can also read our Sleep and Bedtime section for more advice on this subject.

The information in this feature is intended for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health, the health of your child or the health of someone you know, please consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional.

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Last Modified: 02/08/2007

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