Is there such a thing as too much sleep?

[wrenster]

My DD is 4 and says she is constantly tired, even an hour or so after she's up.

She goes to bed between 6.30 and 6.45pm and goes straight to sleep. On a nursery day I wake her up at 7.15am (3 days a week) and on a mummy day I let her sleep until about 8.45am.

I know I shouldn't moan as my friends think I am very lucky having 3 brilliant sleepers (she is one of triplets) but even with what i think is a lot of sleep she still says she's tired a lot and fairly frequently takes herself up to her bedroom for a nap. Last night I was cleaning up after tea and when I went to run the bath she was under her covers fast asleep! By the end of lots of days too she is awfully whiney as she's so tired.

The aren't at school yet, just 2.5 days of nursery. I don't pack loads into a day, maybe just an outing to the park or soft play.

The boys do sleep for this time too but don't moan about being tired.

I am wondering if there could be something wrong with her or whether some children just need crazy amounts of sleep? Could a blood test be worthwhile do you think?

[matana]

Could be worth taking her to the gp as youre concerned, if only to put your mind at rest. What is her diet like? Does she eat well? Does she have plenty of green veg for iron absorption?

[ZuleikaD]

Agree with matana - worth thinking about what she eats. You need vitamin C for good iron absorption as well.

[wrenster]

Thanks guys. She's a good eater, lots of fresh fruit, veg, carbs etc. Eats loads of strawberries and blueberries so fair amount of vit c in these.

It's a tricky one!