Fine Tuning Sleep Habits for Toddler

If he is still in a crib, I would just ignore the calls and allow him to fall back to sleep. If he is in a converted bed/toddler bed, then it is more difficult. My little one will tear the door down and eventually pull the safety knob off if left, when it is after 5 am. So I pop her quickly into my bed and she then falls back to sleep. If it is unusually early ie 2am, then I try to ignore and most of the time she goes back into her bed. But it is hard for them to really understand at that age what time it is and when they can really get up. Good Luck.

S.,
My daughter was like that as well, except I would go in and nurse her and put her back to sleep. I started recently putting a sippy cup of water in her crib at night before she goes to bed. I am actually trying to wean her from nursing. She usually doesn't wake anymore and if she does I hand her the cup, while she is still laying or sitting in bed and let her drink a few seconds and cover her up and walk away. This usually works (not always but usually)
Good Luck,
K.

We made a rule in our house, no going in before 7:00 (unless of course there was illness or another issue that required IMMEDIATE attention). At first there was a little bit of protest crying but we knew that he was not and should not be ready to get up for the day at the crack of dawn. Honestly, just stop going in there. Are you giving him the milk because he 'needs' it or because you 'want' him to go back to sleep? He will cry and fuss for a little bit, but he will go back to sleep. You likely know your son's cries well and can distinguish between a 'need' and a 'want' cry.

This past weekend our son woke up 'early' both mornings, early being about 6:15. He woke up, started talking to his Elmo in the crib and saying "Thomas, train, choo choo!" and then after about 10 minutes he fell back asleep until his typical wakeup time. There really wasn't a need for us to go in so we didn't.

Hi Stephanie,
My 18 month old daughter did the same thing, except I would nurse her back to sleep. I would put a sippy cup of water in his crib, and when he wakes up, don't go in there. I can almost promise you within 3 days, he will not be waking up that early. Yes, he will cry, but it will be less on day 2 and day 3 and so worth it for both of you.
D.

I agree with M R. Although your son may initially cry, you simply have to ignore it. He will go back to sleep. Make sure there is something for him to do in the crib, such as the Elmo doll or other toy. Resisit the urge to go in there and give him comfort. Especially with a new baby on the way, it is important for him to learn independent skills. He can self-soothe his way back to sleep. Good luck!