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Is my 3 yr old getting enough sleep?

6 replies

LadyMacbeth · 11/02/2007 19:44

Dd1 (3 next month) seems to have fallen into a pattern of sleeping from 7.30/8pm until 6am. She doesn't sleep in the day any more, apart from in the car when she will often crash very quickly when I'm out in the afternoon. I cannot get her to sleep in her bed anymore during the day for love nor money!

The 6am wakings are pretty harsh for us (she was a 5am baby but then started to sleep until 7am until recently) however I'm concerned because she seems to be getting quite affected by her lack of sleep. She has developed what I can only describe as an 'attitude' - she shouts a lot, is generally grumpy, has shadows under her eyes and is tearful a lot of the time!

Is there ANYTHING I can do to get her to sleep longer in the mornings? I have tried every which way to get her to settle down and sleep in her bed during the day so I feel that at least if she could get more sleep in the mornings things would be better.

She goes to playgroup two mornings a week, due to start doing two full days after Easter. I wonder if she needs more stimulation during the day?

Any advice would be really appreciated! Thanks in advance.

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HuwEdwards · 11/02/2007 19:46

Sorry, but it all sounds pretty normal.

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LadyMacbeth · 11/02/2007 19:51

Don't apologise Huw - I am actually VERY relieved to hear that!!

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HuwEdwards · 11/02/2007 19:53

Lady M - it all gets much better when they reach 4 and are more phsically active.

Probably have to peel them out of bed in 10 years time.....

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bakedpotato · 11/02/2007 20:01

It might sound counterintuitive/bonkers but if you sense she is very tired by the end of the day how about putting her to bed a bit earlier?

Am big fan of star charts (get her to make it with you)/bribery to persuade her to lie in until you go to get her. Give her coping mechanisms for early wakings, talk about the new system a lot, maybe buy her a new toy to help her with resting in bed until a decent hour. ("You can stroke it but don't wake it up" etc). Maybe say she can read in bed, but not get up/make noise until you go to get her. If you want to see a change, you'll have to be very definite/firm about this. But you sound sure she needs more sleep, and that should make all the difference.

When she makes any progress, make a huge song and dance about it.

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LadyMacbeth · 11/02/2007 20:02

Oh the very thought...

Thanks for your advice, I know it'll get better one day. Life just feels like a bit of a treadmill ATM (teething 1.5 year old not helping!)

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LadyMacbeth · 11/02/2007 20:07

OK thanks bakedpotato (the last post was directed at Huw btw) I will discuss your suggestions with dh tonight. I'm actually quite a 'strict' mum just find showdowns in the early mornings too much as esp w/ risk of dd2 waking. But you're right, I think the star chart needs to be dusted down and brought out again!

She's usually in bed by seven and used to be out like a light, just finds it hard to settle nowadays. Routine's not changed no not sure what's going on.

hmmm... thanks again for advice, sorry this is a bit of a boring topic!