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Parenting

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Can a 4 year old have insomnia?

10 replies

Nyz9213 · 09/12/2021 20:29

I am at my wits end with my 4 year old. She simply cannot sleep. Every night it’s 2 hours on average between lights out and her actually being asleep. That time usually begins with her being noisy but it’s mostly just her wriggling around and refusing to sleep.

She had a bedtime routine. She doesn’t have screens at all after teatime. She has supper and a drink before bed and after a bath. She has a cuddly toy. I have tried literally everything - adjusting her bedtime but nothing works, we still end up with a kid writhing around the bed at half past bloody ten sometimes and it’s not that her sleep needs are that low because she’s a nightmare in the morning. I simply don’t know what to do. I’d speak to GP or health visitor but there’s not much point at the moment.

OP posts:
tumtitum · 09/12/2021 20:45

I don't know but following with interest as mine is the same!! I think she takes a long time to decompress but I haven't worked out yet how to help her to this! Having awful tantrums after school at the moment and she has massive circles under her eyes 😭

WakeUpLockie · 09/12/2021 20:47

I was like this 🙃 no advice, I didn’t sleep well until I was exhausted by my own children. Just don’t get mad at her, my mum was always so angry at me and it damaged our relationship for sure. And made going to sleep harder.

Unreasonabubble · 09/12/2021 20:50

My DS would never sleep, or more to the point, would take FOREVER to get to sleep. My GP actually recommended getting a tv put on the wall in his room because he said if he was relaxing in bed watching the tv at least his body was getting some rest.

DS used to fall asleep with the tv on... Grin

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Heruka · 09/12/2021 20:56

Have you tried kids meditation? My daughter finds this helpful, also cuddling in and singing to her, facial massage etc. She still has trouble falling asleep at times but is better now at nearly 6 than she was at that age.

Nyz9213 · 09/12/2021 20:57

Hmm I’m unsure about the tv thing, we tried audiobooks but she complained they kept her awake!

Totally get the point about not getting angry - it’s hard as sometimes it comes across as straight out defiance like refusing to close her eyes and keep still.

OP posts:
Nillynally · 09/12/2021 20:58

I was like this as a child, didn't get better until I was in my twenties. Audio books? X

Pythonesque · 09/12/2021 21:02

If audiobooks are too much, what about classical music?

tumtitum · 09/12/2021 21:04

I am downstairs after just getting angry at my DD and stomping down the stairs 🙈 yesterday I let her read a book in bed and it seemed to help but that didn't work tonight!
It gets to me as she can go weeks of going to sleep well, so it's more her getting in and out of bed, not letting herself go to sleep even if she's yawning 🤬
Contemplating a weighted blanket in the new year

Nyz9213 · 10/12/2021 09:09

I’ll look into trying classical music and/or weighted blanket. The second might help with the incessant wriggling!

OP posts:
lorisparkle · 10/12/2021 09:34

My ds3 is like this and I wonder if I was like it too. My DM says she said to me that I did not have to go to sleep as long as I was in my bed and quiet. I used to play with my dolls when I was younger then as I got older read or listen to music.

It was a nightmare when ds3 and 2 shared a room but now he has his own room and I have said the same. The only rule is - no technology!

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