My partner's 4 year old daughter wakes up crying 3-4 times a night. She has been having this problem ever since I have lived with her, for over a year off and on. It usually happens in the first 3 or 4 hours after she has been put down to sleep. She wakes up, cries, when my partner or myself go in to see whats wrong she just rolls aroun crying and wont aanswer. With me she will tell me that she needs water, and when i get it for she hardly drinks any. Lately she also has said that she wants to play! she is usually inconsolable, working herself into a fit. We have tried comforting her, having a consistent bedtime routine, we have tried ignoring her (although she shares a room with her brother, and our 2 year old's room is right next to theirs, and she gets loud!) lately we have tried harsher methods, last night we told her if she wants to cry then she has to get up and sit in time-out and cry, she very soon said she wanted to be in her bed sleeping, but then woke up less than hour later. The other kids sleep great, and we are at our wits end, stumped. If anyone has had a similar experience with a 4 year old not sleeping well, i would appreciate input. Thanks, R.
My son, woke up all through the night when he was a toddler. He did not really have any fits, but because he was sooo tired it was difficult. One he had his adnoids and tonsils out he was fine. If shye is snoring then maybe this could be it, or another sleeping disorder.
My first son did something similar, although not as much, but we determined he was having growing pains in his legs and arms, and was uncomfortable. He just didn't know how to communicate that when he was so tired and upset. Our Dr. had us send him to bed with a little motrin till we thought his growth spurt was over then try it without the pain meds. He is fine now. Talk to the childs dr, there may be something else to help also.
One of my twin boys 4 years old has night terrors. This kind of sounds as if she is having the same if she doesn't respond to you. The best thing I have found that has worked is to wake him up about a 1/2 hour to an hour after he goes to sleep. This breaks the sleep cycle and he doesn't seem to have one when I do this. They are not really awake and putting them in time out will not work for a situation like this. Look up some information about night terrors. She is the right age for these to start. Good luck to ya.
T.- Single Mommy to identical twin boys age 4.
It may be more than her just acting out. Something tramatic may have happened to her that is causing her to have nightmares. I would take her to a counsler to see if they can find the root of the problem.
Hi R.,
I just read a bunch of literature about this issue, and it actually sounds like she is have what they call "night terrors" It is very common at her age. If you want to know more please feel free to send me a message and I will gladly share with you what I have found out on this.
Hi R.,
I think your 4 year old daughter needs to have her own room and not bunk with a 6 year old boy. The 2 year old could share the room with the 6 year old since they are both boys. Also it sounds like she might be having some nightmares. Or the 6 year old boy may be taunting her and pretending he's sleeping when you and your partner goes in to check on her. Also, what exactly is the routine for your daughter right before bedtime? Something is going on in that room at night. May be you can hide a video camera and tape for a few days to see what is going on before she falls asleep, or doesn't for that matter, or why she wakes up so suddenly crying during the first few hours of bedtime. I hope you find out what's wrong and soon. Best wishes, and God Bless! G.
You need to pray over her when you are putting her to bed, ask god to give her a restful spirit.
Hi R.-
What is the 4 year old's daily routine? Does she adhere to rules and is she able to focus on tasks? Does she exhibit excitability or inability to complete things? Just wondering if by chance she is ADD/ADHD. What is her diet like? She is old enough to be evaluated by the school district so you might want to explore that idea. Good luck.
Aren't toddlers great? Ugh. My youngest daughter is also four, and the youngest of my four kids just turned three...so I totally feel ya! I suggest a great book and DVD - The Happiest Toddler on the Block. It really explains the language and behavior of this age group, and how to successfully interact and respond to their often unexplainable demeanor.
This site has great toddler resources used by other moms:
http://astore.amazon.com/motherandbabe0c-20/104-###-###-#...
Does she still nap? If so, you might want to nix the napping. Maybe she's just not tired enough at bedtime. That happened with my three year old. Also, does she have a solid bed time routine? If so, has it been disrupted lately? Those are my thoughts......
My 4 year old has sleeping problems also and has trouble sleeping in her own bed like a big girl. We have built a bedtime routine with her to get her ready for kidergarten, give her a bath, brush her teeth, go potty an read her a winnie the pooh book, it's been working for her. Keep up a routine and be patient, she has to understand that she's a big girl now.
