Over tiredness in 4yr old. Any Suggestions?

[Hattie05]

Tiredness in children!!

I'm not sure whether this is just normal 'growing pains' or i a trip to the doc should be in order.

My dd is 4 1/2 and for the last 6mths has been far more tired than ever before in her life. Suddenly after a lifetime of battling at bedtime (she gave up daytime naps very early too) she has started willingly going off to bed early, and will sleep for 13 hours plus every night.

The last 7 days or so she has had a real up and down mood. e.g. she'll spend a couple of hours in high spirits, and then change to looking all sorry for herself and saying she wants to go to bed. then back to being lively again, alternating moods throughout the day. She has felt at times as though she's had a slight temperature which today i have given paracetomol for.

I'm worried because Monday is her first day in Reception class (which she is very excited about so certain she's not playing up). I want her to be fit and healthy for her start at school.

The only thing i'm thinking is that she may be slightly constipated. She's had 'odd' bowel movements in the last week. A couple of loose ones, and then others where she seems to be constipated (small dark quantities). So tomorrow i shall invest in some prune juice.

I would be grateful for others thoughts on the matter, or to hear if other children of the same age start getting more tired now?

I will book a docs appt on Monday if she hasn't changed, but normally wait a couple of days for the appt.

Thanks in advance!

[brimfull]

I suppose it could be a growth spurt I know that makes children sleepy,but I would take her to the Gp if I were you.

Is she eating and drinking normally,weeing normally?

[elasticbandstand]

perhaps she needs extra iron?
meat, orange juice with meals? have a blood test.

[Hattie05]

Thats what i thought elastic, a blood test should find any cause shouldn't it.

ggirl yes she's weeing fine and she has never been a big drinker but hasn't started drinking any less. I shall make sure she has extra drinks tomorrow. Her appetite is great she polishes off all meals (mostly healthy cooked by me) and she snacks on fruit a lot of the time.

[brimfull]

Quite strange, maybe an underlying virus or something.
Hope it is just a growing phase and she's feeling better soon.
My ds started reception last tuesday and has picked up a virus already,high temp and sneezes.Hopefully will be alright for monday.

[Hattie05]

Thats why i'm so frustrated ggirl, she hasn't even got to school yet and she's ill and tired!

Hope your ds gets better in time though. How has he found school ?

[brimfull]

he loves it,was quite tired despite only doing half days.Fulltime from monday though.

Guess you'll soon find out how tired she is when she goes to school!

Good luck!

[magnolia74]

My dd is exactly the same, I have been putting off the doctors as I know they will suggest blood tests and I am such a wuss
We are going to the gp monday as she started reception on friday and was so tired even before school started but had slept a good 12 hours

Take your dd to the gp just to rule out a virus or illness. Lol I can give advice but can't take it

[Hattie05]

I will be making my appt on Monday and you should be too don't be such a wuss! .

Its just quite heart breaking to say such a young thing feeling too tired to play and be as active as she normally is. I know the doc will give me talk about starting school etc and he won't have listened to the fact that shes been like it for 6mths or so cos thats the kind of doc i have!
I generally find it easier to walk in and say can you please refer me/her for.... rather than ask his opinion on anything.

[elasticbandstand]

perhaps it is the build up to starting school? seem to think it is quite common at this age. are her lower eye lids pale? sign of anaemia.

[Hattie05]

shall have a look in the morning elasticband.

[elasticbandstand]

i hope the GP will set your mind at rest.

[Hattie05]

Been to docs today. He says she has a viral infection that flares up and down and she will just eventually grow out of it?? He tells me this is very common amongst children in this country. So no treatment except paracetamol when temp is raised.

[elasticbandstand]

oh?
that was a surprise wasnt it? well at least no blood tests and no treatment i spose