I am worried- should I take dd to the Dr?

[MarkStretch]

I went to my dd (5yrs) parent's evening tonight. Teachers are very pleased with her academically and say she is achieving above what they would expect for a Yr1 child.

However, teacher then said to me 'I am a little concerned as dd often falls asleep in class- how does she sleep at home?'

DD goes to bed every night at 7.30pm and usually sleeps 12 hrs through, unless she gets up for a wee which is rarely. On the odd occassion I even have to wake her up at 7.30am to get ready for school. She eats a great diet of home cooked food and takes a healthy lunch to school.

So why is she falling asleep?!?! Teacher suggested iron and my mum freaked out and said take her to the Dr's because there is obviously something wrong.... What shall I do?

Think you should take her to GP - maybe do a blood test. Or talk to school nurse? She is in year 1 - you say - so not just started school then? Does she go to bed late at weekends?

No not really late at the weekends. I suppose Saturday she was late cos we went to fireworks but if that happens I always make sure Sunday is an early night. We have her step-sister to stay one night a week but again I try and make up for it with an early night.

I don't think there is a school nurse?!?!

There must be, every school has one allocated. Each nurse usually has quite a big allocation of schools so might not get round very often. Unless it is a private school - then I am not sure!

No not a private school. I shall investigate.... Was just gutted as they obviously thought I kept her up til all hours of the night!

Is she going to sleep at 7.30 or just in bed?

I used to stay up till all hours reading with a torch.

Markstretch - you sound exactly like I did in yr one. The school she went to was tiny and my daughter used to fall asleep fairly regularly (once maybe twice a week), even though she followed a similar routine to your daughter and was top of her class. They were wonderful and used to let her sleep in the head's office on the sofa. It was a small school and they had known her since she was a baby. She gradually got used to the days and at the end of year one she had stopped doing it.

She has always needed her sleep and even now (aged 11) will still nap in the afternoon given half a chance.

The school didn't act as though there was anything particularly unusual in this; putting it down to 'the way she was' I suppose. My mum, who was a primary school teacher for many years, agreed that she just needed her sleep and she had noticed this is many children over the years.

However, if you are concerned then it won't hurt to talk to the GP. You could try her on a hot dinner instead of sandwiches, but I wouldn't be surprised if she just grows out of it .

I used to feel quite sleepy at school afetr dinner, especially if the room was quite warm.

in many children (typing in the dark as too lazy to put the light on )

Ah that's nice. She has always been a big fan of sleep, even since being a baby so maybe its just the way she is. She is normally tired and ratty when she comes home from school but has a little rest on the sofa and is then fine again.

I might try and give her some supplements just in case. I have always been prone to anaemia so maybe she's got that from me. Made her eat spinach with her dinner tonight- she was not happy about that!

I did all that; it made no difference whatsoever. She eats heaps anyway, and has always enjoyed her veggies. The only thing she did start to suffer from a bit later on (aged about 8-9, was migraines and I have no idea whether it's related). I often wonder if it's because she pushes herself quite hard (concentrates more than most her age possibly) and that's why she's tired. She is always on the go when awake!

She always loved her sleep, right from a baby; either asleep or on the breast.... and I felt that as she'd always been like it then there was really no cause for concern. Had it been a new development then I would have taken her.

I honestly think a full school day is still very tiring at age 5yo, (personally) would not take her to doctor, would try to minimise out of school activities, though.

Yeah the more I think about it I don't think I will take her to the Dr's just yet. She has always loved sleep- to the point the midwife in hospital make me put cotton wool soaked in ice cold water on her because she fell asleep at the breast so often! That didn't last long believe you me!

Out of school activites only consist of Rainbows on a Thursday night and then normal family stuff at the weekend

Thanks for all your advice