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Original poster

5 yr old not sleeping ATM because of heat. What do you do?

27 replies

jennifersofia · 22/07/2006 23:21

My DD is finding it hard because of the heat and also because it is quite light (I haven't put blinds down so she can get a bit of a breeze) - just very restless and going to sleep around 9:30 instead of 7. Any hints or magic tricks?

OP posts:
FairyMum · 22/07/2006 23:25

Mine are the same. I let them stay up a bit later, but they are tired and grumpy during the day because of it. Have you tried a fan? I also give them a cold shower just before bedtime.

waterfalls · 22/07/2006 23:28

Have you tried putting the blinds down to see if that helps? You could open them again once she is asleep.

fattiemumma · 22/07/2006 23:28

freeze a bottle of water and put it under her pillow. it will cool her down quite quickly and keep her cool for quite a longtime.

i would pull her blond down as if they rae black outs they will prevent some of the heat as well.
maybe give her cooler bath just before bedtime to bring her temperature down as well

lucy5 · 22/07/2006 23:28

Invest in a fan.

SittingBull · 22/07/2006 23:28

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

bubble99 · 22/07/2006 23:31

Make sure you don't make any major plans for tomorrow. Mine have all been sleepy today.

Original poster
jennifersofia · 22/07/2006 23:46

Lots of good advice, thanks so much - keep 'em coming!
We do the cool bath thing, but the frozen water bottle and the wet towel are good ideas. She has been bit of a grumpy whinge-o-matic for the last 2 weeks because of the heat (v.fair and doesn't tolerate it well poor thing) so I can't really put off all plans unfortunately.
Does the fan keep them awake?
With the black out blinds down it makes the room a bit of a sauna, so I have been hesitant to put them down at all tho' maybe I should..

OP posts:
lucy5 · 22/07/2006 23:50

Dd doesnt notice her fan. Another tip someone gave me but I haven't tried is to freeze water in an ice cream tub an put infront of fan.

Earlybird · 23/07/2006 02:39

I've posted this a few times previously on similar threads....I freeze picnic cooler gel packs, wrap in a tea towel and let dd go to sleep lying next to/on them. Really seems to make a difference for her.

bloss · 23/07/2006 08:32

Message withdrawn

Original poster
jennifersofia · 23/07/2006 23:07

Thanks so much everyone - now just need to try some of these ideas (not so necessary tonight as it is cooler - but think I will need to in the week)

OP posts:
megglevache · 24/07/2006 09:12

Message withdrawn

Lio · 24/07/2006 11:56

Bloody morning chorus wakes up ds before 6am, and then because it is light he gets up even though he's knackered because his bedtime has slipped because too hot to sleep earlier. Yes yes I know, it's wonderful to have lots of birdsong but doesn't feel lucky. Am v pg and have been sleeping on conservatory floor on top of a duvet with double doors open to outside. Good keeping cool tips on this thread, will be trying them this week as forecast is still good (= bad).

BettySpaghetti · 24/07/2006 12:03

DD was having trouble sleeping probably because she insists on wrapping herself up in her duvet! Anyway we've swapped duvet for a sheet and suggested she sleep in the nude - she thinks its great sleeping naked, must be the novelty of it, and has generally been fine since.

We also try and keep the bedrooms cool during the day by keeping curtains/blinds shut but windows and doors open which helps come night-time

SSSandy · 24/07/2006 12:04

bought a big fan and leave it on all night in dd's bedroom

riab · 24/07/2006 13:58

blinds/ curtains / window all closed during the day. If the room starts out hot then I use ice/fan trick to cool it down. Then the blackout keeps the room cool.

My Aunt (lives in egypt) taught me that;
if its cooler out than in then open a window, if its sunny close the blinds,
if its just as hot indoors as outdoors then keep the window shut.

Its hard though, DS was sleeping through except he wakes for water and he can't manage a trainer beaker himself yet.

SSSandy · 24/07/2006 19:54

Will try that with the blackout tomorrow and see if it helps

Sexonlegs · 24/07/2006 21:11

We keep dd's blind shut all day and all night, and have a fan going too. Found that keeping the windows open didn't make much difference and also we too had her waking up at 4.30 with the birds scaring her!
Keep her bedroom door open to alow air form other rooms to circulate a bit and then close it a little when we go to bed.
No duvet, just duvet cover.
It is a nightmare though isn't it!

shatteredmumsrus · 24/07/2006 21:35

i also have a 5 year old and a nearly 2 year old and they are suffering too.They both have fans in their room and keep curtains shut all day. Apparently if the air outside is hotter than in the house shut the windows as you'l only let in hot air.i have found my 2 year old sleeps better with the fan. Its 'white noise' and is meant to soothe them??? Works for me!

BearsMum · 24/07/2006 22:08

Blow this good parenting. Get cross and then crosser and then crosser and then crosser and then they realise that it isn't that entertaining making you cross so they'd rather go to sleep.

muffinmum · 25/07/2006 00:12

DD 5mths old, having 4 baths a day and staying in bath for 20 mins, absolutely loves it, also loads of no nappy time, fan on her all night as will only sleep if grobag on!

psychomum5 · 25/07/2006 00:19

I send mine to bed at normal time (well normal for the hols which is 9pm and they are 4/6 & 7yrs), and let them have a dvd. They tend to fall asleep watching and so the heat isn't so much a problem.(or at least, they stop moaning about it as they love the treat of a dvd in bed!)

Lots of water too, and just knickers on, or even naked at the moment.

Having said that. I am planning on buying some ceiling fans from argos....apparently they have some for £15, so am going to check that out tomorrow.

riab · 25/07/2006 14:22

forgetting all your 'rules' about waking up in the night and giving them LOTS of water to drink!

DS will only sleep in his growbag too and the zip irritates his chest if he doesn't have a vesttop on. So I cut the bottom open, that give some air but still ameks him feel secure.

wishfulthinking · 25/07/2006 14:46

I give dd (2.4) a bottle (!!!) - the cheapo ones that are hollow and therefore easier to hold. She keeps hold of it, or about her person, throughout the night and sucks on it when she wants to (she must do this in her sleep too). I know she's too old for one but at least the bed doesn't get soaked though!

nowanearlyNicemum · 26/07/2006 11:50

Lio, your post could have been written for me!!! - except I haven't got a conservatory floor
crying out for sleep... and lots of it.