My daughter never had a problem really going to sleep before but now she seems to really have difficulty drifting off until about 9 or 9:15. We used to goto bed around 8:30 - 8:45pm. Some things got in the way for a while and we ended up going to bed later. However, we have a pretty set routine, but she's just not sleepy. Regular naps are a thing of the past, except her quiet time at school. A lot of times she falls asleep for 15-30 minutes in the car, and I thought that was causing the lack of sleepiness. But even when she doesn't take a nap she has difficulty feeling sleepy. Now she is also taking flovent for mild asthma and I know that also might be contributing to the issue, since she is more wired now. What are some of your suggestions? I think she's gotta be atleast somewhat tired, since before this year we always went to bed no later than 8:30pm. But I don't know...Thanks for your help ladies.
A.
what time does she get up? she may just be getting enough sleep, it's not necessarily that she's overtired. at 8:30 it's still so light here that could also contribute.
khairete
S.
A.,
Kids go through cycles like everything else. If you keep your normal bedtime routine, as long as she is in her bed/room at bed time, she will eventually fall asleep. The general rule in my house (13yo boy, 11yo boy, 6 yo girl) is, I don't care if you go to sleep, but you must be in your room at bed time. During the summer their bed times are backed up by 30 minutes, but 9:30 is "Mommy time", you can be in another room, but it's my time for me, PERIOD.
So, my suggestion to you is to NOT vary the routine if at all possible, she will learn that it is bed time, and it will make it easier when #2 arrives.
Have fun while they are young
Hi A.,
Have you considered the fact that her difficulty getting to sleep might just be due to the fact it is still very light out at 8:30? My girls (including my 5yo)are in bed between 8 and 8:30 during the school year but during the summer we move bedtime somewhere between 9 and 9:15. Otherwise they cannot sleep as it is still so light out. Its only a half hour difference when you think about it but it makes bedtime for us much easier ;)
Being over-tired is the most common cause for sleep problems. Maybe shoot for getting her into bed at 8:00. Also, limit juice, sugary snacks, etc within 2 hrs of bedtime.
The problem your having is her not being tired it's being over tired. Children are different than adults (it actually might not be that so much we just don't see it in ourselves) But if a child gets over tired they have trouble getting to sleep. Personally I would also consider the fact that since you have wavered from your normal bedtime she is trying to get you to do it again. Children are very successful about keeping themselves awake so as to try and get their parents to let them stay up. My daughter is 6yrs old and does it from time to time. She will even go as far as saying "I'm not tired" When i know very well it's been a long day and she's been active and there is NO way she's not tired. Children see no reason to sleep and consider it one big waste of time especially at this ages since they know what is going on when they go to bed, what they could be doing and that they will do it again tomorrow night... and see no point in doing it now rather than later... good luck
I think every kid is different and they all need different amounts of sleep. Also, what time does she wake up in the morning? But like the other Mom said when kids are over tired they have a much harder time falling asleep, I know my son does. I try and have him in bed by 8 even in summer time (now that's a challenge when other kids are still outside and he can hear it) and there are many times when he doesn't fall asleep til 9 or 9:30 but at least he's relaxing. I don't have any info about the asthma meds but my son takes Zyrtec and I started giving it to him in the AM rather than at bedtime and that helped. He also has ADHD where his mind just can't shut off at night for him to fall asleep though he is in bed much earlier than when he actually falls asleep. I give him Melatonin about a half hour before bed (it's totally naturally and your body produces it itself just sometimes not enough) and that helps him fall asleep much faster too. There is a big difference if he doesn't get it. Good luck.
She may be overtired. I have found that this summer with all the activities going on, it is later and later going to bed for my 5 yo. I'm not sure if her wake up time is able to be flexible as she may be able to make up for it in the mornings by sleeping in. My daughter gets up between 6-630 AM every morning, no matter if we put her to bed at 7 or 9, and then by friday she is so cranky that tantrums are frequent, her biological time clock is just set to get up as early as possible. so I find myself trying really hard to get her to bed as close to 730 as possible. Maybe an earlier bed time if possible will help some.
If you think it's the Flovent, maybe you could try giving that to her in the morning instead of afternoon. Also, around 5, my children started giving up their naptime. Add to it, summertime and the night not really falling until 9, and that might add to sleep difficulties. You can try allowing her natural body rhythm to set the schedule, medicate in the daytime if a side effect is sleep problems, and talk to your doctor about other options, like maybe Pulmicort. Check water consumption level. Not enough causes me to have sleep irregularity. Another possibility is that she also could be hitting a growth spurt, which tends to send my kids into a different sleep pattern, as well as meal pattern. Ugh, the grocery bill! Has she grown a few inches? Again, discuss with Dr.
Just a thought, my daughter is only three but this may apply to yours as well. Is she sensitive to the sunlight? I found that my daughter finds it much harder to fall asleep when its still light out. I have curtains that block out most of the light but still not quite enough so in the morning she is up earlier than usual in the summer and goes to bed later as well.
Take care,
M.
