DS1 (3.10) sleeping well at night but still seems tired and cranky all the time...

[MogTheForgetfulCat]

Long phase of this now - several weeks. Think he has had a phase like this before, which DH and I put down to growth/developmental spurt (he has always been cranky at such times) but it seems to be going on a long time...

He hasn't napped for several months, but was doing fine without it - now seems tired by lunchtime and gets progressively more tired. Wiped out and at screaming point by bedtime. Has quiet time after lunch, but seems reluctant to stop and sit down for any length of time, despite being crashing tired.

Sleeps 7-7, on average. rarely hear a peep out of him, so am assuming he sleeps well. He eats reasonably well - not tons of fruit and veg, but v little crap either - and gets plenty of exercise. Has had the usual run of winter colds etc, but nothing serious. Am starting to get worried, though, as he just seems so wiped out and lethargic all the time.

What do you think? Reluctant to take him to doc's, as suspect she thinks I am a paranoid loon (nothing to do with DCs ) but will do so if anyone thinks it would be a good idea.

Mine too - can never seem to get the balance right between tiring him out and leaving him so exhausted he is hideous by late afternoon.

Will watch with interest.

Do you give any supplements? Vitamins or probiotics? Perhaps he needs an immune system boost?

No - but have probiotic that is suitable for children, so will give him a course of those. May also try vitamin drops, as he does look quite peaky - pale with dark circles round his eyes, despite plenty of sleep - although not obviously ill.

Dark circles can also point toward a food intolerance or allergy. Anything that makes him worse?

I think we've just been through something similar when dropping that last nap. Sometimes DS will now take himself off to bed in the afternoon if he's tired and still sleep ok at night. Occasionally, I've deliberately gone out after lunch in the car to get him to nod off for a bit. Think you have to just get through it until they need less rest.

Just to add, we've also moved bedtime to 6/6.30 and he still sleeps until 7 (sometimes 8am!).