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Children's health

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Original poster

My dd2 doesn't sleep... at the end of our tether!!

22 replies

SparklyGothKat · 27/01/2009 09:54

Dd2 is 7 and doesn't sleep, last night she finally gave in at 1am!! She is tired and grumpy all the time. She is unco-opertive and screams all day. She fights with her siblings. I know its because she isn't getting enough sleep, but I can't make her sleep. She has bags under her eyes. She goes to bed at 7:30pm with a warm milk and a story, but will just stay awake, she screams all night. I have had enough... help!!!

OP posts:

Original poster

SparklyGothKat · 27/01/2009 10:55

bump

OP posts:

notnowbernard · 27/01/2009 10:58

Is there anything she could be eating that's affecting her?

Sounds a nightmare

Seeline · 27/01/2009 10:59

You have my sympathies - I thought my 7yo DS was bad, but he is usually asleep by 9 -9.30, although up again at 5.30. (it has been known for him to be up at 2.30 ready for the day, but we are working hard on his clock reading skills to prevent that one!) He too really needs more sleep than he is getting and is prone to temper tantrums and arguements. I shall watch this thread with interest!

Marne · 27/01/2009 11:00

No advice really but my step son (possible ADHD/AS) has always been a poor sleeper, he stays up till 2am and says he doesn't feel tierd and then struggles to get up in the morning, he always looks tierd and washed out.
Does she lay in at the weekends to catch up on sleep?
Maybe your gp could give her something to help her sleep (as a last resort).

Original poster

SparklyGothKat · 27/01/2009 11:04

she gets up at 6am every day. Her sister (dd1) has ADHD, and has melation to help her sleep, I have given DD2 one on occasions to just get her to sleep. She never lies in, if she has by a miracle fallen asleep before 10pm, she wakes at 3-4am and stays awake for a few hours. I am so tired...

OP posts:

Original poster

SparklyGothKat · 27/01/2009 11:05

My children aren't allow sugar or addivites(sp?) as it makes Dd1 very very hyper..

OP posts:

notnowbernard · 27/01/2009 11:06

Poor you, it must be totally exhausting

Original poster

SparklyGothKat · 27/01/2009 11:08

Dh took her to school today even though she looked ready to drop. He said if we keep her off school she will do it even more to stay off school..

OP posts:

pgwithnumber3 · 27/01/2009 11:10

Poor you. I would maybe take her to see your GP?

Original poster

SparklyGothKat · 27/01/2009 11:12

I am going to take her to the GP. Her behaviour is terrible and I have had enough of it all. Its all day and night, the school say she is timid and quiet, probably because she is tired..

OP posts:

whomovedmychocolate · 27/01/2009 11:12

Have you tried physically exhausting her? Sorry I'm clutching at straws and I'm sure you've tried every damn thing in the book but often I make DD run around for two hours if she's been difficult to settle at night and she does sleep much better.

Sleep deprivation is crippling. You have my sympathies!

DS has just started sleeping most of the night and only waking once and I am so grateful.

Original poster

SparklyGothKat · 27/01/2009 11:14

The problem is she wakes everyone up too. DD1 and Ds1 are at school and need sleep. Ds2 is a baby and also needs sleep, and he doesn't sleep all night yet, she woke him up last night and he didn't re-settle till 3am!!

OP posts:

skay · 27/01/2009 11:15

for you.

I thought My DS Was bad.

whomovedmychocolate · 27/01/2009 11:17

Bugger! My niece did that - she went to a sleep clinic in the end - but she was three! The little sod used to escape her room and turn the fridge and freezer off and all sorts .

Have you tried a sleepover with a friend - for novelty value. If she's bored and awake perhaps that'd help. The only other thing I can suggest (don't laugh) is that Paul McKenna has a CD and book called 'I can make you sleep' which I got because I was having some trouble dropping off owing to my six month old son mostly - and it worked - not only on me - but on him (now he's non-verbal and I can't understand why that would work but it did so it might be worth a try?).

Original poster

SparklyGothKat · 27/01/2009 11:18

would it be terrible if I ordered this I don't know what else to do. She used to be so lovely and kind, but now she isn't sleeping, she is a devil child

OP posts:

whomovedmychocolate · 27/01/2009 11:24

I have some of the melatonin pills somewhere but generally they shouldn't be given to the under 12s without medical supervision as they can affect the workings of the hypothalamus and impede growth (sorry!)

I reckon you need to go see the GP and ask for a referral.

I assume you've ruled out:

(1) Room temperature problems
(2) Illness
(3) Fear of the dark

Is it just that she's really tired but can't drop off?

I hate to say it but have you considered a two day spell with the medised in the milkshake to get her back into a good sleeping habit?

Original poster

SparklyGothKat · 27/01/2009 11:27

She is scared of the dark so has a nightlight. She just doesn't sleep, she does everything to stay awake, including banging on the floor, throwing toys (which will be coming out if it carrys on) slamming doors etc. Last night I had to walk away before I slapped her face..

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pgwithnumber3 · 27/01/2009 11:30

Quite interesting read.

SuperSillyus · 27/01/2009 11:34

My six year old is a bit more unsettled at the moment sleepwise. I put it down to not enough outside play at this time of year.
My kids always sleep better when we are walking to and from school instead of driving.

I know how horrific it is for yourself to have to be mummy while extremely sleep deprived...been there!

Be interested to hear if you try paul mckenna whether that works too.

Much sympathy.

paranoidmother · 27/01/2009 11:36

I don't know whether it'll help but a lady I met in the library and I were discussing sleep problems and her son did this till he was 10. Just by chance she was seeing a chiropractor who said why was she stressed and she explained about the lack of sleep. Took the son to see the chiropractor who felt about with his head, shoulders and neck put them all in their proper place and the kid slept through after that.

Sometimes it's pressure in the wrong places on neck and head, nothing they've done or can control but a head massage or similar might just help if you can find someone to do it for kids. They might teach you to do it to, to help during the night.

Hope something will work for you soon.

Original poster

SparklyGothKat · 27/01/2009 11:40

She always says she feels ill too...

OP posts:

jicky · 27/01/2009 11:46

Given her age, unless you think there is some real reason why she can't keep quite like ADHD, I would tell her she does not have to sleep, but must stay lying down in bed with her eyes shut and must not disturb the rest of the family.

And then I would dole out punishment until she got this - no TV, no friends to play, no after school activities, no toys in room. Whatever it took to get her to realise you are serious.

If the lying in the dark doesn't bore her to sleep, then maybe try medication, with a doctors guidance, to get her into the habit of sleeping again ?

Sounds like she is actively keeping herself awake, and is old enough to be told this is wrong.

When mine have kept me awake/woken me at dawn then I am grumpy witch mummy and tell them it is because I didn't get enough sleep and everyone gets told off for every minor slip up. Soon makes them realise it is better to sleep!

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