I am having issues with my 3 year old son not sleeping. He wakes up all night every night and tosses and turnes, hits, kicks, screams...... He is so unsettled he isnt falling into a deep sleep at all. He is now becoming so naughty during the day because he is so tired! I have other children as well and i am really struggling not getting any sleep! Our pediatrician has told us we can medicate him, which i would prefer to use as a very very very last resort! Does anyone have any ideas?
2 Replies
Id try melatonin (which your paediatrician would prescribe) it is the natural substance that occurs in the brain. It's the substance that tells the brain to go to sleep. I wouldn't bother with the over the counter stuff because the dose is so unpredictable.
It sounds like he is trying to go to sleep but just can't which means any settling or changes to sleep routine are unlikely to help. The only thing I would do if you haven't is make sure there is no screen time in the lead up to bed. The brain interprets that as light, telling it to stay awake.
Remember sleep deprivation is as bad as being drunk! So don't minimise what you are struggling with or feel guilty for doing something that will save your sanity and possibly save your lives (driving sleep deprived is an accident waiting to happen).
Have you investigated what could be causing his behaviour? I'm talking autism, food intolerances, bad ears or adenoids?
Rather than treating the symptom I would be focussing on the cause if that makes sense!!
Good luck life without sleep is difficult....