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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Before I lose my mind helo

18 replies

Babysharksmom · 09/11/2020 04:21

I have a 3 year old who goes to bed every night at 730pm. She's waking every night for hours on end. She is disrupting everyones sleep. I've found her in her brothers cot or under our bed. I've spend the last 2 hours awake. I can't figure out what's going on. Is it attention seeking? She doesn't seem to be having a nightmare. Has anyone experienced similar? She's also talking to herself - sounds like giving out to someone in school. Is it anxiety related. She's the middle child of 3 under 5 if that makes any difference?

OP posts:
Anordinarymum · 09/11/2020 04:23

How long has she been doing this OP?

Original poster
Babysharksmom · 09/11/2020 04:27

Maybe the last 12 weeks or so?

OP posts:
Anordinarymum · 09/11/2020 04:30

How old is the baby?

Original poster
Babysharksmom · 09/11/2020 04:32

He's 16 months now

OP posts:
Anordinarymum · 09/11/2020 04:36

It could be anything really. Something might have triggered off a pattern of behaviour. It could be that she is missing activities she likes due to lockdown, or because something has changed in your house. Is she OK with her siblings - no jealousies ??

Original poster
Babysharksmom · 09/11/2020 04:39

Not sure if it's preschool? She's mentioning a child's name who is in her class when she's giving out. She gets on OK with her siblings. Possibly a bit jealous of the baby. Would that be it? Would that disrupt sleep? I'm dreading tomorrow already. My eyes are burning in my head with tiredness

OP posts:
Anordinarymum · 09/11/2020 04:48

It does sound like something has disturbed her. Perhaps ask the teacher/nursery if there is anything going on to worry about ?

After 16 months I would have thought she was used to having a baby around.
When you find out what it is you can deal with it. She needs reassurance from you but you can't do that until you know what is bothering her.
Sorry if I am not being helpful here.

Original poster
Babysharksmom · 09/11/2020 04:56

You have helped me by just replying. She's currently fast asleep as is everyone else and now I'm wide awake. Hmm

OP posts:
KiriAndLou · 09/11/2020 04:58

I presume she doesn't nap? Maybe she's just getting more sleep than she needs or not tired enough? Either that or anxiety is keeping her up when she wakes in the night. Or hunger- have you tried giving her a banana and a glass of milk when she wakes?

Original poster
Babysharksmom · 09/11/2020 05:00

No she gave up her nap over a year ago now. She eats a lot so I don't think it's hunger. She had a sip of water but still awake for hours on end.

OP posts:
KiriAndLou · 09/11/2020 05:07

@Babysharksmom

No she gave up her nap over a year ago now. She eats a lot so I don't think it's hunger. She had a sip of water but still awake for hours on end.
She might have a big appetite? I get the 3 a.m. munchies when I've had a big dinner, weirdly. Could try a 'supper' just before bed? Bananas and peanut butter supposedly increase sleep hormone levels.

Failing that, I'd speak to nursery about the kid who is stressing her out and maybe try and get her to bounce on a trampoline or something for half an hour before bedtime to burn off some of that extra energy.

cherrytrifle · 09/11/2020 05:08

Does she eat sweet things? At the same age my daughter wouldn't sleep if she'd had sugar as it really affected her. If she does have sugar, try to avoid it in the afternoons or evenings and try and gradually wean her off it as much as possible by switching fruit for biscuits etc. Sugar is a very powerful stimulant especially in a small person.

Original poster
Babysharksmom · 09/11/2020 07:36

We had an active day yesterday so I don't think it's pent up energy. She does eat sugar yes I'll watch that. She's here beside me fast asleep. I will have a word With her teacher today and say maybe keep an eye on the 2 of them and see what's going on there.

OP posts:
cherrytrifle · 09/11/2020 15:13

There's lots of info on the net about how sugar disrupts childrens' sleep - is such a powerful stimulant for a child and it stays in their system for hours after they've had it. Sadly it's in so many things like squash, juice, sauce as well as the more obvious places like sweets and biscuits.

FatBottomedGurl · 09/11/2020 15:20

Is it the same sort of time every night? I'm thinking of what could be disturbing her, on a more physical level:

  • Is there deliveries made to your neighbours aka milk/papers to shops etc? My milk delivery man wakes me up every single time by banging the gate. The kids don't hear it in their rooms but I certainly do as the gates right below my window
  • Is there a neighbour who leaves for work early and is slamming car doors/ radio on etc? *Someone who walks their dog after night shift that is creating noise (talking, barking etc). *Is your heating on a timer and perhaps the boiler/radiator sounds are waking her up regularly? *Are her windows well sealed? I used to have windows that howled when it was windy.
  • Could she be cold? If I have cold feet, I'm awake and nothing will get me off to sleep until I warm up.

Maybe download one of those Sleep Track apps and see if it records any sounds, so you can at least rule out that kind of thing. That way you can explore the emotional possibilities with confidence.

Original poster
Babysharksmom · 09/11/2020 15:52

Thanks @cherrytrifle I will certainly watch it

The times can differ. We live in the country so no delivery or milk men. Thanks for the tips. Let's hope tonight goes smoothly. I need sleep

OP posts:
Royalbloo · 09/11/2020 15:54

When this happened with mine I was advised to put nutmeg in DD's milk - grate it very small and add it. It stops night terrors/waking like a dream

Original poster
Babysharksmom · 10/11/2020 16:34

Thank you @Royalbloo x

OP posts:
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