How to help dd9 fall asleep faster

[TimeForCaps]

She usually takes between one and two hours to fall asleep once we have switched off the light, which is usually between 8.30-9pm on weekdays. She has to be up by latest 7am. I don't think she is going to bed too early because she is so, so difficult to wake up in the morning and incredibly tired, slow and sleepy once she is up.

The long day light hours and the heat aren't helping but she has this problem all year through. She has always taken long to fall asleep. Even as a baby.

I feel so bad for her tossing and turning and trying to sleep and I worry about her not getting enough rest.

It's also super fristrat8ng because one of us has to stay with her in her room (as she gets scared otherwise) so most of our evenings are gone. She will ask us to pat her but that also doesn't help her fall asleep. I've done relaxation techniques with her and deep breathing but nothing seems to help.

We eat quite late. Dinner is usually about 6-7pm so maybe that's just not enough time bw eating and bed time but I struggle to serve up dinner and get her to the dinner table any earlier.

Any ideas?

Is there a phone she can use to access the calm app? It’s amazing, my 10 year old loves it and looks forward to going to bed.
Loads of sleep stories on there for children. It’s £40 for the year but it’s literally the best money you’ll ever spend. Make sure all the other apps don’t work so she can’t be tempted by them.

Thanks for the response. Is this the one?

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.calm.android

I'm worried it will keep dd up and stimulated but it's worth a shot. Is there a child setting on it or a filter? What kind of stories do rhey have?

Might be worth to try this book: the rabbit who wants to fall asleep. Works for some, and not others but worth a go?

I'd recommend downloading some youtube audio bedtime stories to an mp3 player. Works a treat.

Hi @TimeForCaps I think this will likely still be us in a few years, my ds is almost 6 and can takes at least an hour to fall asleep, often more and I have to stay until he falls asleep.

The light nights and heat won't be helping but honestly it's a year round thing anyway.

I know this is different because he's a few years younger, but we've got it (mostly) down to something more manageable the last few months -

Tea between 5-6pm. A bath or shower (not very night) then a walk/run around outside. Drawing or Lego for half an hour or so.

Somewhere around 7.30/8pm he has supper (usually wheatabix or something fruit - banana is a good one for before bed) and we read a short book on the sofa. Then it's upstairs for teeth and into bed and I read a long book - we've been on chapter books since he was 3 as we found longer books where we could just keep going rather than "one more story" helped keep things calm. We're working our way through Roald Dahl at the moment and he's loving them!

I used to read until he fell asleep, but recently we've had success at stopping (on a page with a picture!) after a few chapters and I close my eyes and wait for him to go off. He's usually now asleep between 8.30-9.30 (although this week it's been closer to 10 because of the heat)

If he's messing about I try and keep really calm, low voice, as if I'm almost asleep and it mostly seems to help him settle down.

He sleeps with a small bundle of teddies too.

Like I say, I know some of this won't be applicable to a 9 year old but just wanted to let you know you're not alone! X

Skip the phone. No screens. Get a yoto player screen free audio books and sleep radio. Can also control from your phone

I agree with PP about a Yoto - I just bought the sleep mediation card for my daughter but if it’s on I go to sleep too!

screen free and wide variety of stories / different cards. The more she tries to go to sleep the harder it will be

Oh I bought that book many years ago when she was about 3 or so. It didn't really help and I found it a bit creepy. 😁

Just looked up yoto player. They are expensive. We could move the amazon echo into her room. Are there any suitable stories on there?