4 year old can’t stay awake in the day….

[mum1993]

My DD (4) finishes nursery at 12pm and it is a struggle to keep her awake until bedtime. If she does nap , she won’t go to bed until 10/11pm and if she doesn’t nap she will sleep 7pm-6am.

Is this normal? I haven’t had this problem with my other children as they quite happily cut out their naps completely by 2.5yrs.

I have a doctors appointment booked for next week to talk over a few other issues; constantly hungry, permanent loose stools etc. but not sure whether to bring this up as well?

If anyone else has had a similar issue it would really helpful to hear 😊

Both my DDs were very tired in the afternoons at this age

It turns out DD1 has a very mild level of cerebral palsy and DD2 had sleep apnoea (totally different child after adenoids and tonsils out).

Doubt either of these are the issue for your DD but based on my experience it is certainly worth pursuing medical investigations and not being fobbed off with “wait and see”. Unfortunately I had to go private to get both DC diagnosed as GPs brushed me off.

Coeliac or another digestive/allergy issue sounds like a possibility given what you say? It may be worth asking for a referral to a gastro specialist.

I think if you are having things investigated by the GP surely you mention anything that feels a bit unusual so that they can build a full picture.

My unqualified self would look at those symptoms you've mentioned and wonder if because she's having gastro issues and very tired perhaps she's not getting sufficient nutrients from her diet / anaemic. A qualified person will be able to think of plenty of other issues that those two symptoms overlapping would indicate.

Singleandproud In an ideal world I agree
Unfortunately my experience of GPs is you need to ask for something specific to get anywhere. But perhaps I’ve just had bad experiences.

I would bring up the sleepiness at your GP appointment. My 5yo recently had a slight iron insufficiency, and exhaustion, complaining of being tired and impromptu napping were the symptoms. She had blood tests and a course of iron supplement and then was fine afterwards.

One of mine gave up all naps at 18m, the other would still nap now aged almost eight if she had the chance and always falls asleep during car journeys over about 30mins. So even kids in the same family can be very different. However combined with the other symptoms I would mention this and would be wondering about coeliac disease or similar. Good luck!

I would say normal yes, depends on the child really. Mine didn't nap at that age but would go to bed around 7pm, my friend's DD needed a nap after lunch right up until she started school and still went to bed at 7pm!
I remember picking mine up from nursery at that age and keeping them awake in the car on the way home was a struggle but if they did nod off they wouldn't want to go to bed until late!

Definitely tell the GP