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Behaviour/development

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Sleepless and exhausted

5 replies

katyamum · 06/03/2008 19:49

My 4 yr old ds sleeps terribly. He always has done. Unlike my 6yr old dd and 18 mth old ds, who sleep brilliantly. I have had sleep therapy through Millpond twice which was miraculous and solved everything in about 2 weeks. He responded well to reward schemes and gradual retreat from his room methods. But we are in the throes of yet another relapse and I'm just beginning to wonder whether I should just thrown in the towel and let him sleep in our room with us on a mattress on the floor. I've heard from several mums that this worked for them, but I'd be interested to know your views. He goes to sleep like an angel and wakes always around midnight then on and off all night long. He is like a heat seeking missile, searching me out, wherever I am, and once he finds me he is fine. He is otherwise really happy at home and nursery. I am full-time mum and he has no reason to feel insecure. His teachers tell me he is popular. He still has temper tantrums (exhaustion usually) but nothing that I can't cope with. I am a gentle mum and have always gone to him when he cries in the night. I can't bear to leave him and he can now vocalise that he feels sad/unhappy/angry in the night. I really hope he is going through a phase and will eventually grow out of this. Any thoughts gratefully received.

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sdr · 06/03/2008 20:13

Any changes to his life recently. My otherwise happy DD went through this when she started school. There were no problems so we put it down to her mind just not settling and going through her new day. Sorry I can't be more help.

katyamum · 06/03/2008 20:19

Not that I know of. I mean I could always think of little things , I mean, he gets upset if I put the wrong cereal in his bowl, but generally he's good. He's been readjusting to nursery since his little friend left after xmas but I honestly don't think it is that. And he's pretty well adjusted to our baby, and shows very little anger towards him. I'm not sure if it just learned behaviour, after all this time. But basically he's always been a fragile sleeper and very sensitive kid.

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katyamum · 06/03/2008 20:19

Not that I know of. I mean I could always think of little things , I mean, he gets upset if I put the wrong cereal in his bowl, but generally he's good. He's been readjusting to nursery since his little friend left after xmas but I honestly don't think it is that. And he's pretty well adjusted to our baby, and shows very little anger towards him. I'm not sure if it just learned behaviour, after all this time. But basically he's always been a fragile sleeper and very sensitive kid.

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sdr · 06/03/2008 20:26

He sounds like a lovely little boy. Have no practical suggestions, but focus on what you love about him, sounds like there's lots.

katyamum · 06/03/2008 20:28

thanks. I think you're right. I pretty much feel that I should stop trying to 'fix' the sleep thing and just go with what he wants ie. to be close to me

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