I can't remember the last time DS (3.8) went to sleep before 9.30pm

[TheLemur]

I am getting exasperated with DS's sleep and wondered if I could have an outside opinion please...

For the last week he's fallen asleep about 9.30-10pm every night, sometimes 10.30. He is not an early riser (that's one thing I'm VERY grateful about) so I've been getting him up at 8am - otherwise he'd sleep in til about 9 I'd imagine.

I've deliberately taken him on lots of long walks to tire him out. I have a solid bedtime routine that's worked for years (bath, story, small time stroking his head, leave his room by 7.45-8pm). I don't think he's overtired although I could be wrong. He's generally pretty good at staying in bed and reading a book or suchlike but he does pop out of bed a bit.

The last couple of days when I've woken him up he's been in an awful groggy state which turns into a full on tantrum with hitting etc.. not good when trying to get out in the mornings. I keep thinking "he'll be so tired today he'll go to sleep early tonight!" but no, it never happens. He doesn't nap btw

Surely a 3 year old needs more than 10 hours sleep a night?! Any ideas as to what I could try would be gratefully received. I am so tired myself as I am going to bed later and later as I can't relax properly until he's asleep and want some evening to myself!

I am in the same position and my son rarely falls asleep before 11. I wake him early and take him out but it's still the same. It's very frustrating. Sorry I can't help but your not alone. I am hoping when he starts nursery in September it will help a lot

Wow thanks for the reassurance that it's not just me! I'm hoping starting school will sort mine out a bit. Sorry to say he often has his worst nights after nursery but I think that's because he's growing out of nursery a bit now

My DS's record is 11pm. How old is your son and what time do you get him up?

Have you noticed any connection between food at bedtime and sleep? Or whether he's done a poo or not? My DS is on the constipated side and I sometimes wonder if that keeps him awake

My sons record is 12.30. I do give him a few bits at bedtime as he isn't a big eater. Just a couple of slices of cucumber and tomatoes. Nothing major and he rarely eats them. That may have something to do with it but I don't think its enough tokeep him awake that long. I wake him up depending on when he falls asleep. I make sure he gets 9 hours at least. No more than ten. If I wake him too early he falls asleep during the day and even 5 mins makes a huge difference.
I think it started when he was very ill for a week and didn't sleep well at all and it messed up his body clock. I don't think he has ever recovered.

12.30! Oh my goodness. I hope he is over his illness now

Really interesting about the 9-10 hours and about 5 mins making a difference, thank you

Yes I think my DS started this late to bed stuff over Easter when he was not in his childminder/nursery routine and it's still going now. I think a lot of it must be that he's been put to bed a few times when really not tired and sat there bored for 2-3 hours. Now he (kind of understandably) has it in his head that bedtime does not mean immediate sleep time. Sigh. Let me know if you find a solution!