4 year old does not sleep help

[Fizzywizzywawa1]

Hi
My four year old is very loud and boisterous during the day
We don't allow her sweets or fizzy drinks she eats like a diabetic with veg etc
She has sugar free black current but she prefers just plain water usually
My main reason for writing today is she does not sleep for more than 3 hours a night this has been since birth
We take her to bed at 7 pm (we have tried earlier but with no affect) I have to read her a story and turn her light off after the story and I have to sit in the dark with her otherwise she gets up and runs about she finally goes off between 9-930 pm she then wakes up 3 hours later and is wide awake I have to get into bed with her because she makes so much noise and wakes her sister up otherwise but she doesnt go back to sleep and never has she talks all the time about school or sings songs or decides she needs the toilet or a drink blow her nose etc any excuse to get up
This has been going on since she was born and I can't deal with it any more I have a condition called chronic migraine with aura and one of my main triggers is lack of sleep I spent 3 days in a dark room with a bucket
This is affecting our whole family my partner drives for a living and needs his sleep and her sister is taking her GCSEs this year
Her teacher has said she is displaying possible adhd symptoms but can't get tested in school until she is 6 years old
I don't want her to have this stigma attached to her but I need sleep as well
I have given it a lot of thought and the only solution I can think of is giving her sleeping sedatives
Is there anyone out there who has dealt with this who knows of a drug that will last throughout the night
Im going to take her to the doctors on Monday and ask her if I can have what people on here recommend
Please do not respond by telling me drugs are not the answer or I am just looking for a easy answer etc this has been going on for over 4 years I have tried everything else
Thanks in advance

[Jaffakake]

I think you are doing the right thing by seeing the gp. There could be so many reasons behind this, that I think it's best to see someone medically qualified & will know what assistance is available to help you work out a plan of action to figure out where the problem lies.

There are sedatives, but none that are licensed for this use, so to speak to a gp is the best thing.

Good luck & I hope you get the answers you and your child need x x

[deadwitchproject]

There could be a number of underlying issues that are causing sleep issues for your DD so you're doing the right thing getting it checked out with your GP. I have a 2 year old non sleeper, his sleep issues are related to asd. I've been investigating Melatonin for him but he may be too young.

A number of children have had their sleep "reset" with Melatonin so may be worth mentioning this to your GP. We all need it to help us get off to sleep but it may be that your DD has low levels of this naturally occurring hormone.

Good luck.

[Goldmandra]

If your DD has ADHD or any other neurodevelopmental disorder she needs a diagnosis. It isn't a stigma or a label. It's a way for people who care for and educate her to understand her needs and ensure they are met. You don't have to share the diagnosis with anyone you don't want to.

I completely get how draining it is. DD1 was just like this and, even when DD2 was born six years after her, it was DD1 who kept us awake at night. It is mind numbingly awful and I hope you find a solution.

Our solution came in the form of Melatonin which was prescribed after DD1 was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome. It was a life saver and is fairly commonly prescribed as long term medication for children on the Autism spectrum because they often don't produce enough to enable them to fall/stay asleep without it.

Your DD can be referred to a community paediatrician for a neurodevelopmental assessment right now by your GP. There are absolutely no rules about having to wait until they are 6.

[Fizzywizzywawa1]

Hi thanks for all your help I'm definatly going to check with my doctor and see what solutions we can find
things can only get better from now on

[OrionsAccessory]

Hope it goes well for you. My 4 year old was up 6 times last night, she occasionally sleeps through the night but mostly doesn't. It is exhausting.

[MigGril]

You are doing totally the right thing by taking her to your GP, there could be any number of things effecting her sleep. I've had friends who's children have had different conditions that have seriously effected there sleep. But with help once the medical problem has been sorted things have seriously improved.

l totally get where you are coming from with your migraines I to suffer chronic migraines with aura and it was torture when my eldest didn't sleep well. Make sure you are gettinghelp with you migraines as well. You may need to take extra medication at the moment to cope, not much fun I know. Any extra support you can get from friends or family.

Another source of help that my friend who's little boy has had lots of problems with sleep and behavior. Is your HV I think school maynot be able to refer for testing until they are older as HV deal with children who are upto 5 years old. My friend has had her referral done through the HV and GP for her 4 year old.

[Fizzywizzywawa1]

Hi
I have been on triptans for several years and anti sickness tablets when it get too bad but I'm anaphylaxic so I have severe reactions to 99 percent of medications even aspirin and flu remedies so have been so cautious with giving my daughter medicines so this has been a huge decision for me
Fingers crossed

[hijk]

It isn't your daughters lack of sleep that is causing you problems, it is her behaviour when she is awake. This is what needs addressing.

If it is any consolation, my DC didn't start to sleep through until the age of about 7, but they knew to remain quiet and remain in their room, from the age of 4.

And of course I am now getting my own back now they are teens!

[Fizzywizzywawa1]

With ref to hjk's comment
I can cope with her behaviour during the day when I'm on top form however lack of sleep is my main trigger for a 3 day migraine attack so would beg to differ on your comment as I spend those 3 days with my head down the loo!!!

[hijk]

what I mean fizzy, is she doesn't need to keep YOU awake, just because she is awake. he is old enough to play quietly in her bedroom. You can get a motion sensor alarm for the hall if necessary She is school age, she doesn't need to be behaving like a toddler at night..

[Crazyqueenofthecatladies]

Could she have food intolerances? My dd has and is a wired to the moon insomniac if she eats food she reacts to. The fact you have serious allergies yourself and this has been an issue since birth makes me suspect this could be a factor. With the right diet my dd sleeps 7-7, if there's even a trace of cows milk or soya I'll see her 3-4 times a night and by day she's utterly hyper. Dairy and soya are the most troublesome foods for most kids. A one month exclusion diet - strict exclusion - should prob tell you if it's an issue.