Is it normal for a 3-year-old to be continually tired?

[Picante]

He's 3.9. Has shown a drop in appetite over the last few weeks. He's always been an early waker, usually 5.30am - wakes crying sometimes which makes me think he's not had enough sleep.

Spends the day complaining of being tired. Doesn't have a proper sleep in the day any more obviously, but will easily fall asleep in the car or sometimes on the sofa.

His friends always seem to have boundless energy, he just seems to go through the day whinging and whining, and yawning! When he has friends round he definitely shows more energy and 'life' but as soon as they're gone he's back to demanding tv on the sofa. He can't walk far without moaning either.

Is it just a case of him not getting enough sleep or could there be an underlying problem? He doesn't eat very well, and doesn't really drink much during the day.

Thanks.

My nephew was a bit like this... turned out he has an intolerance to gluten.. and a change in diet made him like new.

i'd take him to the gp if i were you...

I think you have got it in your post actually Picante, he needs to eat and drink more to sleep better and then he won't be so tired.

I hope that is all it is, otherwise I think you need to check with the GP.

You have just exactly described my DD who is nearly 3! I could have written your post. She's been like it for the laast 6 months, and last week we finally got an appointment with a consultant, who can't find anything physically wrong but did a whole raft of blood tests - should get the results back in a couple of weeks. Part of me hopes something is wrong so i can get it sorted - I'm so worried about her appetite, she hardly eats at all.
I would go to the GP. The consultant did say this thing is quite common, and often they grow out of it.

Thanks all. He's due a consultant appointment for his allergies in March but I'll mention it to the gp this week.

Also, chatting to a newish friend today, she said exactly the same thing happened to her daughter at around the same age, and she grew out of it over a few months!