My 6 year old wont sleep

[Laurahopcross1]

I really need some advice. I have a 6 year old and a 4 month old, both girls. My 6 year old just will not go to sleep. I put her to bed and with in 2 mins she is up saying she can't sleep. I put her back to bed, but this goes on all night. My 4 month old sleeps better than she does. I really don't understand, I've tried asking her but she doesn't have an answer. Then the later it gets the more she shouts and cries for someone. I'm stuck and need some help because I'm at breaking point now. This has been going on for months.

Sorry to hear you are having trouble, lack of sleep is an absolute killer! Has she always been a poor sleeper or is this a new thing? If fairly new, could it be anxiety/unsettlement over the new baby's arrival? If you think this might be the issue then perhaps some reassurance/one to one with the 6yo might help.

If you don't think it's this, maybe look at whether the room can be adjusted to make her more settled. 6 can be a funny age, they pick up stories at school and can get frightened of the dark/being alone at night. We found our 5yo suddenly didn't want to sleep in the dark so nightlights in the room and leaving the door open so she felt closer to our room really helped resolve this.

Also, I'd say the 6yo is old enough for you to explain to her that mummy needs rest as well, so offer her options if she can't sleep that don't involve disturbing you, like looking at picture books quietly in bed for example.

In the short term, is there a DP/family member/friend that can offer some respite in the short term so you can catch up on sleep and feel a little more normal?