My 3 1/2 year old son goes to bed and to sleep without a fight. After a few hours of sleep, he wakes up and will not go back to sleep. He's not even tired. He does not nap during the day (not for lack of trying) and sleeps about 3 hours in a 24 hour period. He does not get tired, he doesn't over or under eat, he doesn't wet the bed.. I don't know what the problem is, and no one can offer a solution. Any suggestions?
2006-07-07 01:53:22 · 11 answers · asked by Imani 5 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
He does not eat anything with artificial sugar, and we are vegetarians. He is a very active boy, and we are outside for most of any day that it's not raining. I do not go to him when he wakes up, I never have. I let him play as long as he is quiet. See my dilema?
2006-07-07 02:03:00 · update #1
He does not eat anything with artificial sugar, and we are vegetarians. He is a very active boy, and we are outside for most of any day that it's not raining. I do not go to him when he wakes up, I never have. I let him play as long as he is quiet. See my dilema?
2006-07-07 02:03:01 · update #2
My daughter used to have the same problem. It drove us nuts for about a year. What worked in the end was drastically increased activity during the day.
The theory that we developed was that sleep is when a child's body grows and repairs. If they have nothing to repair and do not have plenty of proteins, vitamins and minerals to support growth, than why would a child need sleep. So we developed this stategy.
I give her a work out at the park or run around the house with her for at least an hour around 5:00 PM. I push her to her physical limits the entire time. I then give her a high protein dinner around 6:30. I know you are vegetarians, but I have a strong belief that children need the protein to function normally. If you refuse to give your child meat. Make sure that they are getting all of the critical amino acids. There are a bunch of them that are hard to get in Veggies alone. Eggs will work if you are OK with that. Eating meat will make her tired. Your child's body will go into repair/grow mode and get tired. It may take a day or two to start working. After the meal, keep her as active as possible. after that and we make sure she has plenty to keep her mind busy. Coloring books, arts and crafts, educational video games, wahtever it takes. At 11:00 PM she usually passes out. We wait for her to fall asleep and do not encourage her to sleep when she is not tired. We usually have to stay up with her, but we get good sleep affter that. Once they are asleep, absolutely nothing else can be happening to encourage them to wake up. Good luck
2006-07-07 02:42:08 · answer #1 · answered by billyandgaby 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
My 2 yr old takes a 2 hour nap every single day and sleeps from 9 pm to 7 am. I know she is getting enough sleep. A 3 year old should be on a similar schedule. In my opinion 11 pm is way too late for a 3 yr old to stay up.
2016-03-27 07:49:16 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ignore him when he wakes up. Make sure that there is nothing dangerous left around the house, so that when he does wake up, you can leave him be without getting into trouble. If he tries to wake you up, carry him back to his bed without making eye contact or talking to him or snuggling him in any way. Keep all the lights off in the house--no night lights, no music, etc. He will learn that nighttime is for sleeping and that nothing else is going on. DO NOT talk with him, interact with him, or give him snacks or drinks when he wakes up. Leave him alone until he goes back to bed on his own, or if he tries to interact with you, put him back in bed silently.
2006-07-07 02:00:25 · answer #3 · answered by smurfette 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to just let him be when you hear him wake up. Don't go in to him because now he thinks he's missing something.
Try having him be more active during the day - get some energy out.
2006-07-07 01:57:13 · answer #4 · answered by island3girl 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, I guess we can all agree that diet is extremely important!
At our house, we value routine, routine, routine! Dinner; long calming bath; story time; good night. That's the end of it. Once I say goodnight I'm done. I do not ever reward my daughter by giving her attention once I put her to bed. Unless of course, she's sick, etc.
If you think your doing everything possible to encourage him to sleep, consult your pediatrician. They're good for more than sore throats and immunizations.
2006-07-07 03:11:25 · answer #5 · answered by beezkneez 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
try juggling his meal times around so he doesnt eat too late to give him too much energy but not too early that he wakes up hungry
also try making sure all the lights are off in the house aside from where you are and the house is quiet
2006-07-07 01:56:48 · answer #6 · answered by michelleramtulla 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with sanchez, reduce sugar and junk food - switch to whole grains, fresh fruit and vegetables, home-cooked and balanced meals (meat, vegetables, small amount of starch).
2006-07-07 01:57:48 · answer #7 · answered by sharbysyd 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the latest he should have a nap is 2 pm and if you watch a veggie tales movies and lay down with him all the way though it he should fall asleep.
2006-07-07 02:05:35 · answer #8 · answered by MIchael 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
reduce sugar intake & junk food, their is a natural pill called calm forte to relax .
2006-07-07 01:55:24 · answer #9 · answered by ssanchez2002 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
take him to the doctor
try some massage to make him relax.
2006-07-07 02:37:19 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋