Daughter Having Sleeping Trouble

Is she on any medication? My son was taking Singulair and having nightmares and trouble sleeping. He has been fine since we took him off of it.

I would try cutting out naptime. We had a somewhat similar problem with out second son. He just didn't need as much sleep as our first son had and he liked to talk at naptime. Cutting out the nap was a little hard because at first he got sleepy at supper time, but in a little while we made the transition. Our first and third children can go to sleep at dark, the third one at midnight. The first one is easily up at dawn, the other two get up at dawn now because they have to because they are adults and have responsibilities.

Sometimes, I think it is just the parents who have to adjust. Of course, I am just passing on my experience.

Hi S.-

I have no experience with this whatsoever, but I tried to think of what I might do in your situation. My first thought was actually to change the routine. It might seem strange, but if it's nothing physical that is causing the problem maybe shaking things up a little bit with her nighttime routine would help. Try taking a walk after dinner to get some of her excess energy burned off before bed. What about playing soft music in her room at bedtime? My daughter has a princess lamp that we bought at Walmart that spins around and casts shadows on the walls in the shape of the princesses. Sometimes my daughter just watches the light show in her room as she goes to sleep. I'm thinking anything that might distract her to keep her lying still in bed might help her fall asleep faster.

Just a thought if you have ruled out anything medical.

Good Luck!!
K.

My son has done this off & on through all sorts of milestones since he was a baby. We let him fuss it out, then as he got older & transitioned to his twin bed (we skipped toddler), we instituted a rule that he could play quietly if he didn't want to sleep immediately. He has to be quiet, and he still has to get up on time with no fuss the next day. Some days he is still so worked up from the day that he can't just settle down like that even after our bedtime routine. It stops the drama of the power struggle and he'd usually be crawled in bed asleep within an hour. It also teaches him the consequences of his choices.

Now at 4, he has is own clock radio that he listens to as he goes to sleep. He just hits the "sleep" button and it turns itself off. This has helped him a lot- he stays in bed and settles much easier once we've left the room. Sometimes he'll sing to himself, or play with his lovey, but he's usually out within 30 minutes now. My bros & sis both had to have a radio on to go to sleep when they were young or they'd talk themselves to sleep. I got to share in the fun cause I shared a room with my sis and it was hard to get used to the quiet when she moved out.

Unless your gut is telling you something is really wrong, then I would let it go as a phase. If you truly think something is wrong, I would get a second opinion.

I would consider several things. She may just need help calming down. Try reading to her softly. Try playing relaxing music softly. Also, is she getting too much sleep during the day or sleeping too late? She may be going to bed too early. My parents always put my sister down and she would just play quietly in her bed for hours. They eventually felt bad like they were punishing her and let her stay up a little bit longer, which solved the problem. She wasn't whining and so obviously didn't need the early bed time. Most kids at that age need 10 hours of sleep total. So, if she's napping, and not waking up super early, then she may not need to go to bed so early. Adjust her nap time, total as well as when. Another thing, is she getting any kind of medication or vitamins before bedtime? If she is, try giving them in the morning instead. Some things are known to affect certain individuals differently and keep them awake. There are also things you can give her that would help her calm down, like chamomile tea, the smell of lavender, etc. Also, you have to demand that she lie still. Tell her she doesn't have to sleep, just rest her eyes, but she has to lay still and be quiet. The more she moves around and makes noises, the longer she will stay awake no matter how tired she is.

Ok, this may sound like a strange idea, but I've heard too many stories to refute the possibility, so here it goes.
There may be something in the room that is upsetting her. The Bible gives warnings about not bringing items into your house that are "under the ban". This would be items like idols or anything involving evil or demonic activity. There are even many children books and toys that fall into this category. Look thru the room and remove anything that is questionable. Again, I know this might sound strange, but it is worth a try.

Try cutting out the nap. Both of my girls stopped taking naps around 3. Sometimes they would need one twice a week, but then they would go to bed later. My second child had no choice and just took cat naps in the car while running her older sister around.

It sounds like she still has alot of energy at the end of the night. I doubt your giving her lots of sugar and juice, or soda. If so try cutting that out of her diet and see if there is any change. Other wise I would let her run her little heart out and wear herself out. Then at night when she starts this talking jibberish tell her calmly " settle down, no talking its bed time". After that if it continues I would tell her " hush" or something simular but firm and not rude. I would only do this once. The rest of the night she needs to calm down. Hope you find the right answer. May you all get some rest.

Hi S.,
When my son turned 3yrs old and daughter was 1yr old he started staying up late at night. I then chose to enroll them a local kids gym and he got so tired that he demanded a nap and I wouldn't let him until he promised to go to sleep at night so he would grow strong muscles. Later on in the fall I enrolled him in a mom's day out program 2 times a week opposite gym days and we never had any problems after that. Keeping his little mind and body very stimulated and not just watching Barney made a big difference for him and his sister. On days we could not go to the gym we just walked to our local park and went on nature hikes. I even made a little garden that he helped me keep up with. We also made lots of cookies and made lots of letters and shapes with homemade playdough. There are different creative things that we just don't think about but help our little minds stay busy at home and then they just beg for a nappy. Good Luck this too shall pass.This 3yr old now 13yr old often comments how nice it would be to be 3 again because I had time for naps.Lol

S.,
After you make sure she gets enough exercise during the day and not too much sleep time, I would consider taking a book to her room and just sit there and read until she falls asleep. I am thinking that she doesn't want to leave you and by making the noises, she knows you will be back in to check on her. You shouldn't talk to her or interact (this will just prolong the process). During the bedtime routine, include words on how you are looking forward to breakfast with her the next day and all the things you are going to do. This reassures her that you intend to be there. I think 2's are sure that we are all going to leave in the middle of the night. Most come out of their rooms and downstairs to check on the parents. Yours calls you in with her antics.
Good luck,
K.

My 9.5 year old granddaughter did the same thing with the exception of the noises..just recently she has been diagnosed with RLS Restless Leg Syndrome. She will find my legs in her sleep and rub her feet on them..She has also complained of her legs hurting. She has a hard time staying asleep, and sleep walks.
I am not a Dr. but to me that doesn't sound normal..What kind of a transition is she suppose to be going thru? Developing where?