3 year old only sleeps 9 hours out of 24!

[NoSleepTil2030]

My 3yo DS sleeps from 2030 til 0530. Earlier bedtime equals earlier waking. He will occasionally fall asleep in the car but that time will be deducted from his overall sleep time that night. No other naps. He is very active during the day (but not hyperactive, just your usual 3yo boy).

The NHS website says he needs 11 to 12 hours but thay just isn't happening! He is very awake after his 9 hours and see well rested (though can usually be persuaded to stay in bed til 6am, he'll be talking to himself and his toys for that half hour).

www.nhs.uk/live-well/sleep-and-tiredness/how-much-sleep-do-kids-need/#3-years

He is NT and average bright (maybe slightly above average in some ways but not "gifted" or anything. Just your usual happy active 3yo).

Anyone else had kids that just don't need a lot of sleep?

I think it's fairly normal. The recommended amount is really just an average - if he doesn't seem tired and it isn't affecting him negatively, then it's enough sleep for him. My DS is much younger and sleeps loads but my nephew (same age as DS) sleeps 2 or 3 hours less than my DS does and is absolutely fine. They just need what they need

Sorry that should say seems well rested

And here's that link again www.nhs.uk/live-well/sleep-and-tiredness/how-much-sleep-do-kids-need/#3-years

Thanks purple. It's pretty exhausting as I have another child too but I guess acceptance is all I can do!

I have one like this. She has never needed as much sleep as recommended from birth. Exhausting, isn't it? She has a late bedtime, goes to bed 10.30/11, then is up around 8.15. We haven't had an evening to ourselves for over three years. I have forgotten what it was like to just sit on the sofa of an evening and watch telly. We haven't found anything has changed her pattern. I guess she just only nerds that amount of sleep. My sympathies to you!

Here, have a

It sounds exhausting for you! I'm a big advocate for TV time on early mornings, but not so that it encourages early waking. Maybe a gro clock set to 6am - before then he can play in his room quietly and from 6am he can come in to you? And then take him downstairs, telly on, coffee and laze about on the sofa for you until 7am? No idea if your DS is the type to be agreeable to this though!

Shoving sorry to hear you're in the same boat! We do have a bit of an evening, but only an hour or two (and it's at the expense of a decent amount of sleep!)

Purple thats exavtly what we do . Althiugh i have to lie in his bad with him til 6am, but it's worth it . Luckily he's quite good at entertaining himself so all I have to do is supervise. It could be worse!

Argh the typos! Sorry!

Definitely worth it! My DS had a spell of early waking last week and I brought him in with us thinking we could laze about in bed- nope! He was not having it! Straight up and wanting to play at 5am.

I know you've probably tried everything but just incase - have you tried white noise? I've found DS sleeps in a bit later if he has the fan or radio on.