I'm going crazy - Children's Health Message Board

Im_Robyn · 05-18-2003, 12:37 AM

I have two daughters 3 and 4 years old and for the last 4 or 5 months they wont go to sleep before 1 or 2 in the morning. I have tried so many different things to get them to bed earlier but it's just not working.

I have tried to get them up earlier it works for a little while for my 3 year old but by lazy 4 year wont wake up I even tried dumping her in the bath tub and she slid right under the water and didnt even wake up I had to pull her out before she drowned and that didnt even wake her up.

I know she is the reason my 3 year old stays up. They share a room and of course I put them to bed at different times. I am starting to really stress out over this. Any ideas on getting my little night owls to bed at a reasonable hour would be great and really appreciated.
Robyn

kelly4 · 05-18-2003, 06:15 AM

I have 3 girls in the same room. THe oldest is 3 years old, 2 and 1 all are in there own beds. I used to have to sit with them until they fell asleep. I would sit in the middle so the older 2 could not see each other. I also stopped giving my 3 year old naps. THe 2 year old takes them occasionally. this really helped with bedtime. Do you have a routine in place so they do the same thing every nightbefore you putt them to bed? I would put them to bed together and see if maybe they are not scared of sleeping by themselves. It is trail and error. My cousin's little one is a night owl and will sleep the day away the dont care as she is a stay at home mom.I know this does not work for everyone. I am in the process of letting my kids stay up a little longer and hopefully getting to sleep in a little bit with the time change 8pm it is still light out and they are not really liking that. HOpe you figure somethingout with them.

SueA · 05-18-2003, 06:20 AM

It is not easy when you have two children wanting to stay up half the night.I know how frustrating it is and how sleep deprived mums can get. There is no easy way to do it. It can take a while to get children settled at night.

I have a son, who would go to bed at 8pm only to wake up at 2.30am in the morning and stay up..

My son does have an underlying condition (brain tumor)which does interfer with his sleep pattern, however, I can give you some suggestions which may help with your girls.

I am not sure what their routine is like, but I would suggest waking them at a set time in the morning (a time that is practical for you and for them) Set time for breakfast lunch and dinner.

If either of them are having a sleep through the day, I would try and either cut it out or limit it to half an hour before lunch.

Perhaps some exercise of some sort just before dinner.
Set routine at bedtime.

Some sort of short term sedation before bedtime may help get the girls into a routine. Your doctor could give you some advice on what would be best. Also, I am not sure if you are into alternative medicines, but there is a product called melatonin, which is available over the counter that can help adjust sleeping patterns. Melatonin is used for jet lag. If you have a naturopath near, they will be able to explain how it can help.

Also magnesium and calcium supplements, given at night are also useful to help sleep.

I guess there is also the bribes, that is, if they are asleep by a certain time, they will be rewarded. With my son it was if he slept until 6am for one week, he could have a sleep over at his Aunty's house. (Have'nt quite got there yet)

My son started to settle down with his sleep as soon as I adjusted his morning routine. He would be awake early in the morning 2,3,4am and find something to eat. I started to hide the food, so he couldn't eat and I was giving him his breakfast before I went to work (6am) which I changed to 7.30am. This was enough to help change his body clock and move his sleeping pattern back to a near normal one. I do have to suplement him with some phenergan, but at least he is getting his quota of sleep most nights.

Is it possible for your 3 year old to have a sleep over at someone's house for a few nights, so you can 're-train' the 4 year old?

I hope your girls will settle soon for you.

Sue

[This message has been edited by SueA (edited 05-18-2003).]

trainboxer · 05-18-2003, 02:39 PM

If they take naps during the day, dont let them. Keep them up for the whole day and then they might go to sleep earlier. If they go to sleep at around 1 or 2 oclock in the morning, wake them up around 7 or 8 and keep them up the rest of the day. As for waking them up, try feeding them food way way hours before bedtime and then the next morning they might be hungry and try waking them up to eat. Try music, vacuum cleaner, or something loud maybe to wake them up also.

[This message has been edited by trainboxer (edited 05-18-2003).]

blondegoddess · 05-18-2003, 03:17 PM

I agree with trainboxer. I have a 20 month old boy, and he stays up to midnight-sometimes even later than that! I would suggest not letting them nap during the day. And also, try reading them a bedtime story or just lay in bed with them until they fall asleep. Because both of them might be staying up together playing. I have to lay down with my son, so he calms down and knows its time to go to bed, so he goes to sleep. It seems to work really well for me.

[This message has been edited by blondegoddess (edited 07-10-2003).]