Any ideas...3.5 year old really tired and started napping again??

[llynnnn]

Over the last week dd has been getting really tired early afternoon and having over an hours sleep or if she doesnt sleep she is really tired for the rest of the day, grumpy and just wants to lay on sofa.

She doesnt have any other symptoms, is not complaining of pain, still eating/drinking going to toilet fine, but just really lethargic.

She hasnt changed routine, going to bed later or getting up earlier, hasn't started extra nursery sessions or anything like that. She hasn't had regular naps for over a year now!

Is it normal for a normally energetic 3.5 year old to suddenly be so sleepy? Could it be a growth spurt or viral infection? I dont want to get laughed out of the doctors but also can't ignore it??

Any thoughts??

[meatntattypie]

growth spurt.....

[coldtits]

If her breathing and colour is ok, and her appetite is good, I would suggest a growth spurt

Saying that, it's not unusual for a small child of 3.5 to nap in the afternoon anyway, so I'd just let her get on with it as long as it doesn't affect her night sleep.

[purepurple]

Could be a growth spurt.
Has she been more active? Have you stopped using a pushchair maybe?
What does she do in the mornings? You mention she hasn't done any extra nursery sessions. Does this mean she goes to nursery in the morning?
Have they got new outdoor play equipment? Or have they started to play outside more, now that the weather is picking up?

[llynnnn]

I work part time so her morning routine varies but we really havent changed anything. she is at nursery 2 full days a week (the same since she was a baby). she hasnt used a pushchair since last summer (since dd2 was born)

how long does a growth spurt typically last?

[llynnnn]

any more thoughts? she's slept for 2 hours again today and is fast asleep in bed now!

[zonedout]

i would take her to be checked over by a doctor just to be sure. likely to be nothing major if she is still eating/looking/behaving ok. could be some mild anaemia, the same aged dd of a close friend was found to be anaemic after blood tests to investigate similar tiredness.

[llareggub]

My DS is the same age and periodically has an afternoon nap. Every other week or so he'll fall asleep in the armchair in the afternoon. I haven't worried about it because it seems to correspond with a few days or weeks of activity.

I agree that if everything seems fine it probably is.