To Wake or not to Wake?

[Jewels06]

Hello! I am new to these boards and I just finished reading Pantley's NCSS and am about to begin my first 10 day log. However, something I've been wondering about isn't addressed in the book. My 4 month old has been fighting sleep until about 12 - 2 in the morning and then sleeps 12 hours (off and on) so he's not getting up until 12 - 2 in the afternoon. Does anyone have any advice as to how I alter his sleep times? Ideally I'd like for him to start his bedtime routine at 7 and be asleep and in bed by 8. And I wasn't sure if I should wake him up before he finishes his 12 hour cycle to try and alter his sleep times. Any thoughts? Thanks!

Julie

[emamum]

i just read it as well, doesnt it say to gradually adjust start the bed time routine , like half an hour earlier each time?

[Louisep]

Originally Posted by emamum

i just read it as well, doesnt it say to gradually adjust start the bed time routine , like half an hour earlier each time?

I think this is correct. So yes, wake your lo up 30 minutes earlier the day you begin and put to bed 30 mins earlier and then repeat every day until you hit the bedtime you want.

[Llyra]

If it was me, yes, I'd be getting him up in the morning. If you let him sleep, he's just going to get used to sleeping that schedule. Our bodies have internal "clocks" that get programmed so that we feel tired at certain times, and when we're sleeping at certain times, it becomes easier and more natural-feeling for us to be tired at those times.

I would start by waking him a half hour earlier every day, until he's waking at a reasonable hour. When you wake him, immediately bring him to spend some time in bright sunshine-- outdoors, or in a sunny window. The light will "set" his internal clock, so to speak. Similarly, avoid any exposure to bright lights for an hour or so before you want him to sleep. (That includes bright TV and computer screens.)

[mamadelbosque]

Yeah, definetly start waking him up earlier and putting to bed earlier, gradually. That'd drive me nuts. *I* don't like to stay up that late on a regular basis anymore, and can't imagine being forced to do so because my DS wasn't going to sleep till then!! Good luck!!

[alfabetsoup]

Normally my policy is to never wake a sleeping baby but for crying out loud! I'd go cold turkey and wake him up at 8. That schedule would drive me nuts! What are his naps like? If you wake him at 8am, he can have a short nap around 9, then a medium nap around 1pm and another short one at 5ish. Bed at 8pm.

The half-hour thing would just take too long IMO--treat it like an international flight, you have to get on the new time zone as quickly as possible so you just do it, feel awful for a day or so and then you're finished.

[chipper26]

The way Pantley addresses this issue is to advise you have the same wake-up time everyday. I'm sure PP's have said this, but I'd start waking him earlier and earlier until he's up at a reasonable time. If you want him in bed at night by 7-8, he should probably be up at 7-8 in the morning.

[Jewels06]

Already a Major Change!

Thanks so much for all the replies. I started the 1/2 half hour routine right away and last night he went to sleep at 7:30!!! He woke up and had to be soothed around midnight until 1a.m. and then woke up at 10 this morning. Hey it's not perfect but progress this soon is great!! Now my next project will be to get him to nap in bed and not the swing. That will be my next post for advice. Thanks again ladies!!

Julie