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zhannushka
08-04-2007, 11:04 AM
Here's the story - I've been a SAHM for the past 7 months with DS. Because I'm a night owl myself, our schedule is pretty crazy - he doesn't go to bed until around 1 am and doesn't wake up for the day until 12 pm - 1 pm on most days. I asked my pedi a while ago whether this is OK, and she said that as long as it doesn't interfere with my life, it's fine (I don't go to bed until 2-3 am, so - it's been working perfectly.)

Here's the problem - I'm thinking about going back to work in a month or two, so - DS's schedule will have to be adjusted big-time! We're still not certain about whether we'll get a babysitter to come in to our home and stay with him every day or whether we'll put him in daycare center. If we get a babysitter, I don't really have to worry about his schedule much - it could stay the same I guess. But, if we decide to go with a daycare center - he'll have to be up around 7 am and in bed by 7-8 pm.

How in the world can I adjust his schedule this much?! I've tried waking him up earlier and putting him in bed earlier - I tried to do it gradually (going up an hour each day), but eventually - it still goes back to the original schedule! Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks!

Rico'sAlice
08-04-2007, 12:30 PM
I know that for me trying to shift an hour can be pretty extreme. I imagine it is even more so for a baby. I would suggest 10 or 15 minute increments instead. So you'd probably need to start now. :) HTH.

catmom
08-04-2007, 01:19 PM
I would suggest 10 or 15 minute increments instead.
ITA. It would probably also be a lot easier on him to make this transition now than when he's a little older and getting ready to start preschool (I know it still seems really far away, but the time will come!). The parents I know who let their toddlers stay up even until 9 or 10 all say that having to majorly alter the child's bedtime at age 2 or 3 was a total nightmare, and they wished they had done it earlier when the child was still to little to understand what was going on.

MidwesternGal
08-05-2007, 10:02 PM
I would do 10-15 minute increments, too.

My SIL's bf's daughter will start preschool this fall. She stays up until 10, 11, even midnight or later! They put her down for a nap at 6:30 at night!!!

It's going to be awful for that poor child when school starts.

Definitely start working on switching the schedule now!

zhannushka
08-06-2007, 12:12 PM
Thanks ladies! I am going to start going down in 15 minute increments as of tonight...

MidwesternGal - DS takes his last nap at 8 pm now... :o