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The dreaded bed time.

4 replies

Mckenngp1 · 12/03/2013 20:08

Hi netmums! I've been reading this board with interest for a bit now. I am mum to 2 girls, dd1 age 7 has aspergers and dd2 is awaiting assessment for don't know what really, possibly sensory processing problems/dyspraxia type problems.
The biggie at the mo is bedtime with dd2. She just can't get off to sleep. She has always been a bad sleeper, waking every hour on the hour till she was nearly 2 yrs then she got a bit better and slept for more hours together but she still needs to have skin to skin contact for her to go to sleep. She likes a hand over her face and to hold hands with me. If I try and leave she will go into meltdown mode. Dd2 is 5 nearly 6 btw. It can take an hour for her to fall asleep currently and even then she is dead twitchy, jumpy and wakes easily.
I am wondering whether to keep her up really late or until she is really sleepy but trouble is when she has had late nights in the past it just means less sleep all round. She is in a tight routine already cos of her sister needing routine too. Any suggestions for a) weaning her off me and b) helping her nod off quicker would be appreciated. Or just to tell me I'm not alone cos I feel like I am going mad!

OP posts:
MareeyaDolores · 12/03/2013 22:12

We tried everything... In the end melatonin from the paediatrician did the trick.

MerryCouthyMows · 13/03/2013 01:50

I'm having a REALLY big issue with my DS3. I have just been advised by the Health Visitor to go to the GP and ask about melatonin. I'm assuming that the GP won't be able to prescribe it, so at that point, I will have to ask the Paediatrician when we see her in April.

So melatonin seems to be the answer...

Mckenngp1 · 13/03/2013 09:10

Thanks for replies. Our eldest dd is on melatonin too, it really did the trick for her. Me being me, I thought melatonin was just for asd children? I didn't click it might work for dd2. We are a while off seeing the paed though, so will have a wait before I can even ask for it.
She has gone to school today with dark circles under her eyes, yawning already. It took 2 hours for her to go to sleep, then she woke at 1.30 till 2.20 then slept till 5. It's no good for her or me.

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Mckenngp1 · 13/03/2013 09:16

Forgot to add, I was thinking of downloading a "I can help you sleep, relaxation" type recording on the I pod to try. Not sure if they are suitable for children but she seems to need to relax somehow and we are desperate.

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