Early waking

Tips on how to deal with your early-rising toddler

By Kathy Lynn |

Q: My three-year-old daughter goes to bed around 7:30 p.m. and wakes up at 4 a.m., ready to play. It’s exhausting.

A: It seems that your child needs only 8½ hours’ sleep. The trick is to change the time she awakens. Start by moving her bedtime a little bit later each night. Now take a look at her nap time: If she goes down in the early afternoon, move it a bit later so she can stay up later in the evening. It might also be time to shorten or even eliminate afternoon naps.

Some kids wake up with the first light, so if you can keep her room dark, she may sleep later.

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