My Eleven Year Old Daughter Has Insomnia

This could be WAY WAY off the mark...but my ADHD kid has trouble getting to sleep. You don't mantion any other ADHD symptoms, but if she has any...this could be related.

I think though that the other post mentioning exercise is very helpful. Both my kids sleep better and get to sleep faster when they've had enough physical exercise.

Also, I would watch what she reads. Some of what my son reads keeps him awake. Not all reading will calm her down.

Kids go through phases - but there can be many things that can be impacting her ability to fall aleep.
check her caffeine intake - a lot of sodas have caffeine - remember so does iced tea; limit computer, TV, other screentime in the hour before bedtime - something about the screens stimulates our brains to be awake; suggest she spends the hour before bed curled up raeding a book in a quiet part of yoru home. I try to cuddel up in bed to read and I always fall asleep quickly that way )as long as the subject matter of the book isn't too stimulating); try to make sure she's active earlier in the day so she's tired by bedtime. Finally - maybe it's time to move her bedtime back a little? What time does she go to bed?

My DD is almost 15 and I have to say she falls asleep almost instantly these days but she did go through times when she could just not fall asleep. Having a book to read at least kept her occupied in bed while she waited for sleep to come.

I have to say I never heard about sleeplessness after the onset of menses - but sounds reasonable to me - their hormones are jsut crazy at this point in life. A male psychologist I know told my husband if men had any clue of the "normal" homonal fluctuations that go on in a typical woman's body each month they would be completely in awe of us and they would NEVER be able to function if it had to be them. And he added that for teenage girls is far worse until their bodies get past puberty. I can attest to that seeing my DD!!!

Good luck mama - this too shall pass!

Speak to your pediatrician see what he/she recommends and then do some research on sleep clinics. They actually do have sleep clinics that can teach you methods. In New York I went to one and it was amazing it really helped me out. I wasn't able to sleep and it was effecting me big time because I suffer from migranes. The sleep institute really helped me and it might help you.

My daughter recently went through this and it started before he cycle did. It was awful. She would be up at 3 am and then we had one heck of a time waking her for school. And she would zone out at school sometimes because she was so tired. Lately she seems to be getting back on track so a shorter phase then I expected. I had talked to the doc last year when it started and was told that if nothing different was going on and no problems at school, it is a phase kids can go through. I went through something similar when I was 10 or 11. I would actually be up to watch the sunrise (all night I was up) and then go to sleep for 3 or 4 hours. For me that lasted about 18 months. One thing I was told though is that when the kids do not have school try to keep close to the same bedtime so they do not accidently fall into a pattern again.

If it's noticeably effecting her during the day then it sounds like a trip to her doctor is in order. It could be medical, or it could be something going on at school or with a friend. Good luck momma.

my 11 yo just started her period last month and went thru this a couple weeks ago. one night was so bad I actually gave her a mini tab Benadryl because she was waking ME up every hour! but I told her I didn't want to make that a habit and we started to "relax" and have "quiet time" before bed. She wasn't allowed anything but soothing music on her radio and reading. Also no sugar or caffine I know helps. Or game stations either as they are a stimulant. that really helped and she's back to normal now. not sure really what to suggest to you but I hope you find something that will help her. :o)

I would track it. Be meticulous for a few weeks if you can handle that. Track her eating, activities, her period, any headaches and stress stuff. It might give you clues all in itself, otherwise a DR might ask you to do something similar. This is what I was asked to do before getting further medical intervention. They wanted to know what I ate and drank, how active I was, how stressful my day was, etc.

The other suggestions people had are spot on too. Limit stimulant foods/drinks, get plenty of activity in earlier in the day and a generous calming end to the day (a big issue for me personally is shutting my brain down..."to do" lists and all the upcoming weeks things just flurry thru my brain and I can not make it go away). Mindless TV (stuff I have seen, etc), or reading helps. Currently I actually sleep with my MP3 player and headphones in...so there are NO noises but the music I choose...usually mellow like Jack Johnson stuff...and that helps me a TON to block out all those other noises I obsess about.

I have suffered from insomnia (along with migraines unfortunately) since I was a preteen and hormones kicked in. I am now in my early 40's and have to take medication to sleep. I just can NOT do it otherwise. I can't fall asleep and I can't stay asleep. My brain is just wired goofy. I keep hoping menopause will change things for me...

Is anything happening at school that is troubling her?
Does she have a nightlight?
Is her bedtime too early? If so, try adjusting a little later by 15 mins at first and if not then by 30 mins
Does her bedtime routine include a warm bath/shower?
What if she read in bed for 15 mins?

My (then 11 year old) now 13 year old son's doctor put him on 5 mg. melatonin. We buy it at Giant in the vitamin section. It really helps him relax and fall asleep. We give it to him at 8:30pm and he is usually out at 9:30pm. Ask the doctor, but it should be fine for her as well since it is the same as the body is supposed to be producing.
Good luck.
G.

Have you tried reading for the last half hour before bed? That really works for me. Might be an idea. I also really believe in the yoga techniques of focusing on breathing and relaxing muscles groups. You can teach her this, or you can google it. It is a great tool to have for life! It helps clear the mind for sleep. I do it often when I struggle to get to sleep. Start with the toes, relax them until they feel like jelly. Focus on the ankles next, let every muscle relax. Slowly move up the body until all tension is removed. I am often surprised how tense my leg muscles are just from the stress of the day. I bet there is a CD out there that would go through this relaxation and might help. I would try these things before taking her to a doctor. I think sleep difficulties at different ages are totally normal. Hope this helps!

make sure she is getting enough exercise. this coming weekend do something that requires some physical activity. another thing she can do is read before she goes to bed. It relaxes the mind and after awhile her eyes will get tired and she will fall asleep. also have her go to bed a half hour earlier so she has time to read a book. that and exercising will help her sleep more soundly.

I would say it's time to take her to a child neurologist, specifically one who specializes in sleep disorders.

I would definately take her to her doctor. Maybe she needs to have some blood work done to make sure all her levels are on target. I would cut out all caffine (if she ever drinks cokes or eats chocolate) My daughter is 8 going on nine and often wakes during the night and has hard time going back to sleep. We all have a chemical in our brains (forget the name of it) but when it isn't at the right level it effects our sleep.

My daughter has had this problem for years and she is now 13. She has always been a night owl. My daughters doc recommended melatonin. It is an Over the counter med that is in the vitamin section and is safe to give to babies. Our bodies naturally make melatonin but some people do not make enough. It is helping my daughter.