Concerned About 5 Yr Old Son's Bedtime Behavior

If he's not lactose intolerant, a little warm milk will provide a bit of tryptophan which causes drowsiness in a lot of people. Making sure he gets 10 minutes of sunlight a day to make sure he has vitamin D to work with in his system is also a good idea for regulation. If those aren't enough, the meletonin might be worth a try. Some people respond well to quiet instrumental music as well.

As for staying in his bed, some children just have higher levels of anxiety than others. It may just be that he really will need to share a bed with you for a few years longer than his siblings did. For a few children, returning to his room with him when he comes for you in the night, might get them a little more comfortable in their own space, having more positive associations with it. But obviously that won't work for everyone and get's old fast if you want to be in bed with your spouse.

One thing to watch for is if there seems to be any unusual sleep patterns like gasping in his sleep or pauses between breaths and such. A few children manifest early sleep disorders that will just make it hard for the reptile parts of the human brain to trust that sleep isn't dangerous. So they will tend to be light and fitful sleepers.

If all that pans out to nothing that helps, you may just have to be patient a while longer with this one and keep trying the prizes for success and such. Some children are more motivated by special time together, or other forms of love than gifts, too, or you just might not have the right gifts for him.

Keep experimenting.

I have a daughter who has trouble falling alseep. We have not tried melatonin yet.

I believe my daughter has thyroid issues- which a common side effect is insomnia.

Insomnia can also be causes by toxic overload, bacterial infections, viruses, anything that is working against the central nervous system/adrenal system.

Magnesium should be able to help because a magnesium deficiency increases adrenaline and aggraivates the nervous system. Magnesium can help increase serotonon, a nerotransmitter that modulates sleep, among other things.
I have magnesium oil on order for her and give her Magnesium malate every couple of days. I know the pills a re not enough, but I want to be careful because they can cuase loose stool, whereas the oil on the skin will not.
Right now I am giving her NCD zeolite to get rid of toxins. She has been doing it two days.

We use melatonin with great success. What is stopping you? It is not a drug, it was reccomended by your doctor, and it is safe. Best yet...it works. Try. You will be very happy and his behavior (all the way around) will improve once he sleeps more.

M.

Is spending quiet time with him for 30 minutes or so before going to be a part of the bedtime routine? Have you tried lying down with him until he goes to sleep? Do you have a sense that he's feeling anxious? Perhaps spending some time talking about his day would help?

Could he sleep in another child's room for awhile?

Have you tried leaving the hall or bathroom light on so that he could see them while his door is partly open? Have you tried soft music or a child's book on tape or CD?

Is it possible that he senses your concern or frustration? Have you tried having a regular routine to include a just a couple of the "helps" for a couple of weeks with a calm matter of fact "it's time to be in bed" (over and over if necessary) when he comes out of his room. Express sympathy with his difficulty but let him know that you know he can manage it. Then let him figure out what he needs so that he can go to sleep.

My grandson would go to bed but lie awake for up to an hour when he was 5. He did and still does have emotional issues. I did lie down with him when he's with me and he still lay awake for an hour or so. He's now nearly 7 and falls asleep quickly. I think he's been doing that for nearly a year. I don't know what caused the change but I suspect that it's because he is older and perhaps his nervous system has matured.

what time does he get up? My son stopped taking naps young and is not much of a early to bed. He is fine. He sleeps well when he sleeps.

What do you do before bed? Does he get wound up? Do you have a nice quiet routine? Do you give dessert after dinner? Is it sugar filled? Do you spend time doing stories and chatting.
Just keep bringing him back to his bed. Do Not talk to him. Just take him back. I never cared if they were awake - I just wanted them in their beds.
Let him read for 20 min. and then turn the light off...
YMMV
LBC