I have not had a full nights sleep in 4 years!!

[Shugarlips]

My DS is 4 years and 3 months old. He has never been a good sleeper (light sleeper, early riser, had night terrors when he was younger, does not settle himself etc, etc) This is in direct contrast to his older sister who loves her bed and her sleep.

We are at breaking point now because he seems to be getting worse and not better. He says he doesn't want to sleep in case he dreams. When he does drop off (in his bed after having had a calming bedtime routine)he will sleep until 11 and then wake wanting to come into our room. Then he wakes every hour or so coming into our room. We direct him back with little talk and put him to bed but he just keeps doing it. I admit we do get cross and then he gets upset and this makes the whole thing worse. He is then awake at 6 (which isn't so bad I suppose) as bright as a button. He is very active and full of energy but I think he gets silly quickly because he is tired and then he gets emotional - as do I!

Any tips for a desperate mum?

Hello - I could have written this thread. My DS the same (4.8). Won't settle in his bed etc. I breast fed him until he was 21 months and I still wonder if that's the reason; used to feeding through the night etc. Have/might you try cranial osteopathy? We used it for DS when he was a baby as he couldn't lie comfortably on his back and within 2 sesions, it had worked. But it's also good for children with sleeping probs. It might take longer (it tends to in children and adults) than for babies but you could give it a go and see if it makes a difference. I'm going to look for another registered CO in our new area becasue I reckon it could help it could help DS settle better at night and be less hyper in the day!

I breastfed my son until he was 2 and I also have wondered if that was the reason, or part of it. My best friend has similar problems with her son and she also breastfed through the night!
I am going to do some interent research today on CO - I hadn't considered this as he was born by C section and I associated CO with difficult vaginal births but it makes sense - thank you

If there was pressure to his little head and he was a bit squashed, it's a possibility. Isn't that a co-incidence about the bf thing? Hmmmmmm, I'm sure it's probably a natural reflex to survive and keep waking the mother up to be fed.

Hi. Did some research and we are booked into see a CO a week Monday. I explained it all on the phone and they think they will be able to help. (hooray!!) Another thing my son does which I thought of is cry, in a bit of a panic, when he wakes up from his daytime nap and apparently the CO thinks this is a significant indicator of a sore head. I will let you know how it goes if you would like.

Cool - I hope you get sorted Shugarlips.
Yes, please let me know how you get on. I really should get my bum into gear and sort out some more sessions.
So is your ds at school - very impressed you're still getting to have a daytime nap, although I suppose if he's awake throughout the night, he's tired for one. Mine both gave up naps at around 16 months