time.
If you prefer not to use wake-up music and your child is 3 years or older, you can also get a simple clock and draw a picture of what 6:00 a.m. looks like on a clock face. Set your drawing right next to the clock so it can be seen from the child’s bed. Review each night at bedtime that he is to stay in bed until 6:00 a.m.
I find using a clock radio/CD player or a light with a timer is more concrete and easier for a child to understand. Remind him that he must stay in bed until the music or light comes on. Some parents have used the light successfully with 2-year-olds.
Couldn’t I fix the early-rising problem by simply putting my child to bed later?
Unfortunately, no! The only time that might work is if the following apply:
• Your child is taking “good naps” (determined by age).
• Your child appears rested and happy during the day with less than the average night’s sleep for the child’s age group.
• Your child consistently sleeps through the night and is not off the sleep average by more than one hour.
• You child seems rested and ready to start his day at 6:00 a.m. and can make it to nap time without getting too sleepy.
My child soaks through his diapers at night. What should I do?
Try using extra-absorbent overnight diapers or a larger-size diaper with an insert, or “doubler,”—a pad that you can stick in the diaper. They can be handy on long car or plane trips as well. If you have to change your child’s diaper and you’re fast at it, you might be able to remove a soaked diaper quickly while your baby is sound asleep without taking him out of his crib or bed. If your child is over 2, talk to your pediatrician to rule out sleep apnea, which can increase bedwetting.
My child poops every time I put him in his crib. What should I do?
Some children dirty their diaper just as you put them to bed at night or nap time—and some parents become convinced it’s intentional, that the child knows you will pick him up and get him out of the crib. Obviously you need to change the diaper, but do it as quietly as you can, in light as dim as possible. If you can manage it, change him in the bed or crib, and then hand him his lovey and return to your Shuffle position. If this happens at nap time, change him, but approach it as a too-short nap and follow the nap-training advice in the “Nap Coaching” chapter. If it happens at 5:00 a.m., change him and follow the advice for early risers. Children often have a hard time going back to sleep after a 30-minute nap and then a diaper change, or after a 5:00 a.m. diaper change. You may see some crying, but stay consistent and reassuring. If you have completed the Shuffle and you feel your child needs a little more reassurance than normal to go back to sleep after his diaper change, then it’s okay to sit closer that night if you feel it will help. On the following night return to your usual routine.
My child vomits when I put her into her crib. What should I do?
A lot of parents worry that if they let their babies cry too long, they will vomit, particularly if the child has or had reflux. This may be the case if you leave a child to cry on her own, but it seldom happens when the parent remains in the room and practices my gentler, more gradual method. To alleviate this problem, don’t feed your baby right before sleep.
Some children, even older babies, vomit on purpose because they know the parent will take them out of their crib and fuss over them. If you see your child trying to make herself gag (some kids can do this without using fingers!), firmly say, “No!” but immediately follow up with soothing reassurance. If she does throw up, keep cleanup as quick as possible, and engage with her as little as possible. Use wipes or a washcloth, if you can, rather than getting her completely up for a bath. Don’t turn the lights on. Some parents leave an extra sheet on the floor for
If you prefer not to use wake-up music and your child is 3 years or older, you can also get a simple clock and draw a picture of what 6:00 a.m. looks like on a clock face. Set your drawing right next to the clock so it can be seen from the child’s bed. Review each night at bedtime that he is to stay in bed until 6:00 a.m.
I find using a clock radio/CD player or a light with a timer is more concrete and easier for a child to understand. Remind him that he must stay in bed until the music or light comes on. Some parents have used the light successfully with 2-year-olds.
Couldn’t I fix the early-rising problem by simply putting my child to bed later?
Unfortunately, no! The only time that might work is if the following apply:
• Your child is taking “good naps” (determined by age).
• Your child appears rested and happy during the day with less than the average night’s sleep for the child’s age group.
• Your child consistently sleeps through the night and is not off the sleep average by more than one hour.
• You child seems rested and ready to start his day at 6:00 a.m. and can make it to nap time without getting too sleepy.
My child soaks through his diapers at night. What should I do?
Try using extra-absorbent overnight diapers or a larger-size diaper with an insert, or “doubler,”—a pad that you can stick in the diaper. They can be handy on long car or plane trips as well. If you have to change your child’s diaper and you’re fast at it, you might be able to remove a soaked diaper quickly while your baby is sound asleep without taking him out of his crib or bed. If your child is over 2, talk to your pediatrician to rule out sleep apnea, which can increase bedwetting.
My child poops every time I put him in his crib. What should I do?
Some children dirty their diaper just as you put them to bed at night or nap time—and some parents become convinced it’s intentional, that the child knows you will pick him up and get him out of the crib. Obviously you need to change the diaper, but do it as quietly as you can, in light as dim as possible. If you can manage it, change him in the bed or crib, and then hand him his lovey and return to your Shuffle position. If this happens at nap time, change him, but approach it as a too-short nap and follow the nap-training advice in the “Nap Coaching” chapter. If it happens at 5:00 a.m., change him and follow the advice for early risers. Children often have a hard time going back to sleep after a 30-minute nap and then a diaper change, or after a 5:00 a.m. diaper change. You may see some crying, but stay consistent and reassuring. If you have completed the Shuffle and you feel your child needs a little more reassurance than normal to go back to sleep after his diaper change, then it’s okay to sit closer that night if you feel it will help. On the following night return to your usual routine.
My child vomits when I put her into her crib. What should I do?
A lot of parents worry that if they let their babies cry too long, they will vomit, particularly if the child has or had reflux. This may be the case if you leave a child to cry on her own, but it seldom happens when the parent remains in the room and practices my gentler, more gradual method. To alleviate this problem, don’t feed your baby right before sleep.
Some children, even older babies, vomit on purpose because they know the parent will take them out of their crib and fuss over them. If you see your child trying to make herself gag (some kids can do this without using fingers!), firmly say, “No!” but immediately follow up with soothing reassurance. If she does throw up, keep cleanup as quick as possible, and engage with her as little as possible. Use wipes or a washcloth, if you can, rather than getting her completely up for a bath. Don’t turn the lights on. Some parents leave an extra sheet on the floor for
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