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Sleep

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Original poster

How can I help my 5yo to get to sleep

15 replies

prufrock · 26/09/2007 21:01

We've never really had any problems with dd's sleep, but for the last few weeks she's been unable to get to sleep until about 9/10 pm, and so has to be woken in the am and is tired and grumpy.

Weekdays we have tea at 5:30, bath at 6:15, then read stories/get ready for bed and into bed at 7:00. She is always tired by this time - yawning, saying she can't get up from her cushions where we read, but 2 or 3 hours later she is still awake. I don't think she is doing it deliberately - she complains that she really wants to get to sleep but jsut can't. She rarely asks for attention - she has been to the top of the stairs twice tonight, but both times for legitimate stuff, and usually she stays in her bed and calls out if dh or I pass her door.

We have tried with nightlight on and off, with door open or closed, with music on or off and nothing seems to make a difference. My Aromatherapy Associates deep relax oil on her pillow did help for a few days but not any more. Please help!

OP posts:

BBBee · 26/09/2007 21:02

maybe try the bedtime routine starting a bit later?

story tapes?

FrannyandZooey · 26/09/2007 21:03

More exercise during day? More carbohydratey evening meal?

FrannyandZooey · 26/09/2007 21:04

Make the room cooler? Dropping body temperature induces sleep I believe, hence a warm bat helping

FrannyandZooey · 26/09/2007 21:04

LOL or indeed a warm bath

BBBee · 26/09/2007 21:05

lol - the bat might be a bit scary and not sleep inducing!

FrannyandZooey · 26/09/2007 21:06

yeah you may be right

Original poster

prufrock · 26/09/2007 21:09

She runs around at school all day, and we often take the dog out for an hour after school. Tea is usually carb based - pasta/cous-cous/rice and sauce.

Will try temp thing - our house is new and v. well insulated so even on a day like today, without having heating on, it's warm enough upstairs now for me to be sitting here in pants and vest-top (TMI I know). But I could try leaving her window open in the evening.

Why would starting later help BBB? (genuine question) she complains of tiredness whilst in the bath, so I'm afraid that if I keep her up she will just get more grumpy.

OP posts:

Pruners · 26/09/2007 21:10

Message withdrawn

haychee · 26/09/2007 21:10

I agree with making the room cooler. I tried this accidentally when the heating was not working right and dc never slept better.

Also try a long walk or trip to nearest park before a bath and then stories in bed rather than on cushions as you decribed.

My dd has either tv for a short while in bed, or she plays her ds for half an hour. More often than not she is already asleep when i go up to turn off the tv or ds.

BBBee · 26/09/2007 21:13

I thought startin later might help because although she says she is tired she seems awake enough to make herself alert and not sleepy in bed. A later bath might help. Doesn;t sound brilliant but I thought 6.15 bath is earlier than my 5 yr old and maybe relaxing after supper and before she gets in teh bath might help?

haychee · 26/09/2007 21:20

My 7yr old goes in the bath at 7 and in bed by half past, quarter to at the latest. 6.15 is very early imo. My dd is usually asleep by 8-8.30.

Original poster

prufrock · 26/09/2007 21:25

OK - so I'll try cold room for the rest of this week, and if that doesn't work we move to bath at 6:30, bed at 7:30 (she can play quietly/read after bath whilst I put ds to bed.

Thank you

OP posts:

cheeset · 26/09/2007 21:25

My dd is not sleeping well at the moment and is the same age as your dd.
I think it's because she has gone up a year in school, new class, new routine and had 6wks off plus the nights getting darker, just throwns their routine out.
Sounds as if she's fighting the tiredness and then cant help herself.
I get like that, when something on my mind, I lie there and lie there and get exasperated
still can't sleep but I'm soo tired.
Like BBB suggested, try starting bedtime routine later then she might be more tired, or have a chat whilst your settling her down(i'm sure you do that anyway) but it helps my dd de-brief so to speak and she talks about whats worring her

BBBee · 26/09/2007 21:26

good luck - let us know.

haychee · 26/09/2007 21:36

Oh yes of course cheeset. I disregared the night time chat about the day with dd. I always end up being sucked in at some point for her to have a chat about this and that. Its total quality time one to one, time to discuss whats been bothering her (and me about her sometimes) and we are able to talk quite adultly.
I forgot about this, also reommended imo

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