Quality of sleep

[Rachaelc1981]

Hi, I would like some advice on how I can improve my 1olds quality of sleep. He’s never been a good sleeper but seems to be getting worse. He goes to bed about 9ish and can still be wide awake at 12. He wakes up incredibly early, anything from 6am onwards, I can’t tiptoe into his room during the night without him sitting bolt upright asking what I’m doing, like he’s been waiting for me to come in. He’s got brown rings under his eyes and obviously you need sleep for your body to rest and grow. I feel he’s not getting enough quality sleep and it’s starting to effect him. Thank you in advance for any help

Have you tried an earlier bedtime? Does he nap in the day?

No he doesn’t nap as he’s 11 ! He never looks tired. He goes to bed no problem but just doesn’t seem to want or need to sleep 🤷‍♀️

Ah sorry your OP says 1 yr old, must be a typo!

Has he explained what stops him getting to sleep? Is he trying to sleep but can’t - or do you think he might be staying up reading or something?

Do screens go off 1hr before bedtime as that is highly recommended

Sorry yes that’s a mistake from me, he’s 11 nearly 12 years old. He keeps saying that he sleeps and he’s not tired. Pretty much getting blood from a stone really haha. He sometimes takes IPad to bed thinking it might fire him out but that was a little while ago. Right from being a baby he’s always been an extremely light sleeper but I just thought he would grow out of it but now he’s growing up his body needs to rest, recover and grow

Yes if he’s really only getting 6 hrs sleep that’s not enough, it wouldn’t be enough for most adults and he’s growing.

I’m not sure what you can do though tbh. Definitely ditch the ipad before bed (sounds like you have) reading a paper book is good, plus a bath or shower and other usual bedtime routine stuff. Does he get outdoor time and exercise in the day? Some people try melatonin but it’s only on prescription here so you’d need to order it online from the US, do your homework to make sure it’s reputable etc. Sleep is a really tricky one to fix.

Thank you for your reply. Yeah he gets plenty of exercise/outdoor activities, always has. I just don’t understand how he never seems tired when I’m bloody exhausted haha. Might have to change/add things to bedtime routine