Have you had a bad sleeper? Help!

[sarahb083]

My 3.5yo DD has always had sleep troubles. She really struggles to switch off at night and fall asleep, even when she's obviously tired. She also wakes every night and sometimes struggles to go back to sleep - last night she woke up at 2:30 and couldn't go back to sleep until 5:30. I'm exhausted and can't keep doing this.

When she's up in the night, she's not looking for attention or in pain, she just can't go back to sleep. She lays there for hours trying. Same in the evenings - she just can't fall asleep.

We have a consistent routine, a very calm and stable home, no big changes, no siblings. I don't know what it is!

Any tips?! Or solidarity?

Solidarity here! My first was just like this and now he’s an adult he works in the music business and his job is very much nocturnal, he’s never changed - sorry! There will come a point when she can entertain herself quietly and sleep will get better for you. When I asked a doctor for advice, she had none other than to say it’s often the sign of intelligence if that was any consolation - it wasn’t!

Thank you @Laughtillyoupee!

My bad sleeper was later diagnosed autistic, and has never outgrown his bad sleep. Thankfully he is now old enough to be awake without me needing to be! Sorry, no help but I remember the awfulness of it :(

Our poor sleeper also diagnosed autistic. He does sleep better now we have removed him from school and home educate. Now he is verbal, he has explained to us that he found nursery and school very anxiety inducing. We never really thought nursery to be that stressful for him at the time, just thought it was usual toddler stuff but he vividly remembers stuff he struggled with back then.

Anyway, what I was trying to say is there could be something that you aren't even realising is causing anxiety, she may not be able to articulate it either at that age.

He's now 7 and does sleep much better (bed time is at 9.30pm and wakes up at 5am)

Thanks for the additional comments. I don't think she has autism, but my husband and my mum both have ADHD, so maybe she does too.

Any other comments or suggestions very welcome!

ADHD has a genetic factor @sarahb083 So with that in mind coupled with the poor sleep, do give that a consideration.

I have ADHD, so does my dad and so does my middle son. Interestingly though our middle son is a great sleeper (once he settles)

No answers but sounds exactly like my child. He's very bright though but I don't believe he's autistic. He is however a very sensitive child but nothing I've ever tried has ever made any difference to his sleep. He still sleeps with us because it's enough of a struggle as it is without attempting to have him in his own room as well.

Thanks for the responses so far