Our beautiful 3yr old son doesn't sleep!! He has never slept through the night since he's been born. It seems to be getting worse. He's up every hour. Last night was the absolute worst! Wide awake from 12.30 to 4.30! The thing is, he has to make sure everyone in the house is awake while he's awake!. We have tried everything! Putting him to bed earlier (just made things worse), putting him to bed later, the whole super nanny thing, in out in out in out of the bedroom which lasts a couple of hours and never got better, no tv or electronics, sitting in his bedroom until he falls asleep. And when he does, he's up 1-2 hours later! Our daughter is 4, goes to bed 7-7:30 and sleeps through until 7:30 the following morning. This is now affecting her because when my son wakes up he'll start yelling and screaming and carrying on. This last week, when he wakes up I'll take him into bed with me so he's quiet but he still won't sleep! The thing is he's happy with 5-8 hours sleep a day! No naps during the day! He will not have one. We've changed his room and his bed and blankets to make it more appealing for him. I've spoken to him and told him that even if he wakes up during the night to stay in bed until he falls asleep again. We're all so exhausted! My husband starts work at 5 which makes things harder, he ends up getting all frustrated and cranky. We're just not coping anymore. Nothing seems to be working. We're trying everything! Is anyone else going through this? I love my little man to bits but there is no down time for him. Is this something I should see a doctor about or do we just ride the wave? I've spoken with the lovely ladies who work at his daycare, they tell me he's on the go all day! They're shocked when I tell them how much sleep he's had. He's a very bubbly, happy boy and is quite the character. The sleeping is the big issue. I'm tired and finding it extremely hard to function during the day, looking after the kids and then going into work in the arvo, coming home and dealing with the night again. He only had 4 hours sleep last night and it certainly doesn't show! Please help!
5 Replies
It's time to speak to your GP. There are loads of things medically that can cause this. Some of them are very easy fixes. I'd ask for a referral to a peadiatrician while you are there.
Have you looked into sleep school? I don't know where you live but even if you don't live in a major city you can get a referral from your gp (it's a big eff around but so worth it) and the government actually cover the cost, even flights for you to get to say Brisbane etc. He definitely needs help to sleep.
Some kids definitely need less sleep, it's just like adults. Some do fine on 4 hours (wtf) and some need 10 to get by!
Firstly I would organise the sleep school where you stay overnight at the facility. If that still doesn't work once you get back home, look into natural remedies.
Other than that, you probably just have to ride it out unfortunately. But I feel confident about the sleep school for you:)
Thank you for your replies. He does toss and turn and jolt a lot in his sleep which is what could be waking him up. I've heard sleep school is great! That may have to be our next option as well as seeing the GP.
Friends of mines boys had sleep studies done, for similar reasons. They came away with with info on what was going on brain wise and a treatment plan to suit.
My 3 yr old doesn't sleep through either. But nothing like yours. Im up 3-6 times a night but he will go back off straight away. On the rare ocassion he will sleep through. A friend of mine little ones are similar to yours (6 & 2) she gives them verlergain (or spelt similar) before bed. You can get it over the counter at the chemist. May help to you get some answers from gp or into a sleep school