9 year old with anxiety-related sleep issues

[barnmum]

Following recent move from London to the country my 9 year old boy is finding it really hard to get to sleep. He is worrying about getting to sleep, and sure enough is therefore not able to drop off despite being tired. He is then working himself up into a state of high anxiety leading to feeling sick, rushing to the loo but not actually being sick. His mental worry is ending up in physically feeling sick, usually only resolved when I get into bed with him and he eventually nods off, but not until about 10:30pm.
I have talked to him a lot about his new school, trying to find out if there is anything wrong, and talked to his teacher too. He is still settling in, which is fine as it's only been half a term so far (!) but I am worried about his sleep issues and would like to know of others' similar experiences at this age? What can I do to help him nod off calmly and at a decent time?

hi I'm a grandma with a little bit of experience which I hope might be helpful. I am taking it that there is nothing wrong at school - you have talked to him a lot about it - can you let him see that it is ok to feel a bit odd because of the move and all the changes. Giving him permission to talk about what he is feeling might shift his worry away from the sleeping issue - he may not be able to sleep because of other things in his head. I would say to you don't worry and have as much fun as you can with him- are you the type of Mum that can be silly? Perhaps sharing with him that it is all a bit new for you too and that you will all get used to it in time. If you have to get into bed with him earlier to get him to sleep - how about making a deal - mummy is happy to cuddle you for a little while and soon you will be all snuggly and sleepy on your own. Well I'm no expert but I do care for you and your little one. Do you have any other children? Elaine

My dd had similar anxiety related sleep probs when she was 8/9 so I know how frustrating it is for both of you. What worked with my dd was some herbal sleep/calm tablets from boots, can't remember the name but will try to find them.

I'm not convinced the actual tablets worked, it was more the mental change in her head that assured her they would work, as they did the trick on the first night.

I do think he is also at a funny age as well as the move r/e anxiety. My ds has a funny routine before bed and has to go upstairs leaving the living room door open , leaving the hallway light on as well. He asked for a lamp for his room that wasn't too bright so it could be on all night. We got a football one with different colour lights he can change.
We also got him a personal cd player so he can listen to audio cd's before bed if he doesn't feel like reading.
My ds hadn't had any big changes but i am putting it down to being very active in the day so taking him longer to wind down at bedtime.
He starts his bedtime routine about 8 hoping for him to be asleep about 9. Maybe bring the start of bedtime forward a little but with wind down activities rather than sleep initially so he hopefully doesn't get too anxious about sleep. Can you be 'busy' doing things outside his room so he knows you are there.
How about a diary , he could fill it in before bed ?

Thank you for your suggestions. Last night I tried hot milk with weetabix and a banana half an hour before bed and he went to sleep easily, but that may have been fluke. These foods contain good levels of the amino acid tryptophan which is meant to help induce sleep. I will try all your suggestions too. Thank you.

Great news x