Parents should try to limit daytime naps, either by eliminating one or shortening all of them. Parents should make sure, however, that naps aren't limited to the point that children are overly fatigued by the end of the day. If parents' attempts to get their children to sleep later in the morning are unsuccessful, the next alternative is to teach children to quietly entertain themselves until it is time for them to get up. Parents shouldn't rush immediately to their children when they first call out in the morning. Instead, parents should wait five minutes to see if they go back to sleep or start to entertain themselves.
Parents can then gradually lengthen the time before they go to their children.
Children will then learn how to occupy themselves in the morning. Parents shouldn't delay, however, if their children seem to be in distress. Parents can make sure there are toys nearby for their children to entertain themselves with in the morning. Parents can put a metal baby mirror to one side of their children's cribs or beds so their children can look at themselves. Parents can place interesting objects such as bright bits of cloth or soft toys at the bottom of their children's cribs or beds after they have gone to sleep.