To think that my teen shouldn't be waking up all night

[BlitheringIdiots]

DS13 has always been a good sleeper. Head hitting pillow and going straight through until I wake him for school. However in the past 3-6 months he's been going to sleep as usual and then waking up an hour later complaining he can't sleep

Take tonight as an example. Lights out 9pm. Asleep almost straight away. Then 10.15pm the tell tale creak of the stairs and he's at the lounge door. Back upstairs and a cuddle and a pep talk and I thought all good. Just about to get in bed myself at 11.15 and here he is again complaining of a headache and saying been awake for the past hour. Sent back to bed again with me sitting on bed quietly talking to find out what's wrong. Turns out nothing and headache goes.

We can then have this for a few nights before maybe a week of good sleeping again

IS this normal teen sleep issues? He can't go to sleep any later than 9pm because he's yawning as it is

Screens off by 8pm and then he reads for about 45 minutes before he calls me to say goodnight.

At wits end here and don't know how to help him. Anyone?

Sounds like he's worried about something, he might not even be that aware of it, but he is definitely seeking reassurance from you for some reason... Worries always seem worst at bedtime

Just playing Roblox. He's a 'sharer' sometimes an over sharer and so he isn't hiding anything

He said last night he woke about 4 times but went back to sleep

Baby steps

Try getting him to put all screens away a little earlier. I know I do suffer dreadful insomnia if I look at my iPad after 8pm (I go to bed around 10.30/11)

Make sure his bedroom is not too warm, noisy, stuffy etc. Clean sheets, comfy pillow, sleep spray will do no harm.

I suggest a nice long family walk on Saturday or Sunday, see if a blast of fresh air and exercise helps, obviously if you have access to somewhere scenic and rural it does help.

Sorry I can’t help with tips for anxiety, just practical advice for cosy sleep.
Insomnia is no fun, I feel for him.

It turns out it was growing issues. He shot up 6cm sometime between January and June. Last week he was complaining about feeling sick at bedtime and did throw up each night, feeling better after. I had a bit of a google after a week of this and read about sickness with hormones for boys.

So decided to measure height again and he's grown another 4cm in a month

Guess he's on a massive growth spurt and it's hormones that affect his sleeping and bodily functions when that happens.

Time to buy new trousers.......

The 6cm growth may explain the awful sleep issues in Feb and Mar.

In three years time he can legally get married. Let go the apron strings a bit OP, and let him sort out his own bedtime, phone off, etc ffs.

Oh dear you've missed the point of my update. It was to say it was nothing to do with bedtimes but growth. Never mind. Thought it may be helpful to others.

@LovelyJubblee you've name changed so it's not obvious your the OP.

I would visit the GP if he is throwing up combined with poor sleep. Regardless of a growth spurt I wouldn't rely on Mr. Google.

I suffer with anxiety and this has been one of my problems for years. I'll fall asleep and wake repeatedly with a feeling of dread, several times a night, no reason for it. It doesn't happen every night but when it does it's horrible. Bar staying up all night or powering through on those nights, I find ASMR videos or guided meditation very good to help fall asleep. Maybe a counsellor might help? Are there any services for teens near you who could direct you better?

Also OP regarding your update I have vomited or given myself diarrhea (sorry TMI) on those nights due to anxiety so the throwing up could be a symptom of this too. When my DC were that age they never threw up or woke several times a night and they're all nearly 6 foot. Get him checked out.

He's not anxious. He's absolutely fine now. It's definitely growth spurts I have a friend whose son is now grown up who, when I mentioned it to her, said her son suffered similar.

But thanks for the concern about anxiety. He's a very happy well adjusted child with lots of friends, doing okay at school and just about likes spending time with us still. No pressure from home nor school. Happy go lucky child.

Sorry about name change don't even remember doing it! Must have been one night when I was half awake. Sorry