Son won't sleep anymore!! Was a fantastic sleeper now it's awful!

[MummySi]

Hi, I'm looking for advice. Recently my son (7 years old soon to be 8) has decided he doesn't like sleep! He's started to worry more and in the middle of the night finds reasons to get up... need the loo... bad dream... tooth ache... worrying. I don't know what else to try. I've looked online and it's all about bed time routines, he goes to be fine... I need him to stay in bed and get a better nights sleep! Last night it was 5am that he finally went back to sleep! Any advice appreciated from one super tired mum and dad

Sounds a bit odd for him to start this now. How's he getting on at school, does he like his new teacher? Has anything else changed for him?

Is he warm enough too?

Have you tried some guided meditation aimed at children?

He's just started a new school recently and never very good with big changes

This sounds so similar to my 6 year old. We've been doing a primitive reflex integration programme with my eldest, and decided to do it with my youngest too. It's made a huge difference - we're actually getting uninterrupted nights now! Still ridiculously early wake ups, but that's a big improvement.
We see a lady for rhythmic movement training if that helps. We're based near Horsham.

It does sound like it could've the school change. I'd try wearing him out in the day, so long walks if possible. Also, make sure he's eating enough, mage try a bowl of porridge before bed? And a really long and relaxing bedtime.

Thank you for your advice, he walks for over an hour every day, we do meditation at bedtime, read books before bed, chilled evenings. Tonight we are trying if he really can't sleep he can read a book (with a book light) in bed see if that helps. He seems to get worked up at times about not sleeping. I've also brought him 'my hidden chimp' today so he can try and understand his emotions more see if something makes sense when we work through it. Getting so tired ourselves isn't making it easy

WOO HOO!!!! A night of sleep was had by all!!