My 3 1/2 year old does NOT sleep enough. Does anyone know any tricks?

Question

He will not take naps, and he only sleeps about 10 hours at night. Maybe once in a blue moon, he will sleep for 12 hours. I know that 10 is not enough for him, because he wakes up cranky and will have spurts of being overly hyper and then very grumpy. I don't know how to get him to sleep longer at night. The only thing I have found to help sometimes is hang black fabric over his windows to keep the light out.

Answer 1

Have you tried exhausting him during the day? Keep him involved in energetic activities, like going outside to play ball, painting, reading, playing a childs board game, playing with the family pet, etc. that will make him wear off some of his energy and become tired. At night before bed, try reading him a story or engaging him in more activities, like perhaps a tickle fight or something. If that still doesn't tire him out enough so that he'll sleep during the night, perhaps consult a doctor and see if they can give you some tips. I'm sure it has to be hard having your child wake up grumpy.

Answer 2

My son is also 3 1/2 and anf gave up his nap about 6 months ago. He too will sleep only 10-12 hours a night. The pediatrician said it's a normal amount of sleep. My son has no behavior problems...just your typical toddler quirks! Is it possible something else could be causing the undesirable behavior? If your sure it's lack of sleep, try pushing the bedtime up 15 minutes every week and see if he'll sleep until the same time in the morning. Also, if he goes a few days in a row with very little sleep, your not a bad mom if you give him a small dose of Benadryl before bed...only occasionally of course. Hope that helps.

Answer 3

Also, keep an eye on his diet. I live in the South and people are always trying to sneak sweet tea to my toddler. Kids take a lot longer to process caffeine and sugars so make an effort to cut those out of his diet. At least until you can be sure this isn't contributing to the problem.
I think 10 hours a night should be fine but he does need to rest during the day also. At this point he's probably in a no-nap routine so it may take a while to change this behavior (and determination on your part). If he refuses to fall asleep during the day, at the very least, you should enforce a "quiet time" in a dim quiet room. I keep a fan in my daughter's room for "white noise". Gradually work towards a nap.
I know bribing children should not be encouraged, but what the heck! On days I have a fun activity planned in the afternoon, I explain to my 3 year old that she needs lots of rest so she can swim, slide, play, etc. And we can only go if she takes a good nap. Works every time, well almost.

Answer 4

I taught my children as soon as they were aware of their surroundings how to calm themselves for sleep. I had the room set to a cool temperature, a subdued night light and always some sort of quiet relaxation music going. When they were really young I used alot of lullaby tapes with the words being gently sung. That way even if my child wasn't sleepy they would lie quietly and listen. Some children need less sleep than others. Your son may be waking up cranky because that is how he wakes up- I know the feeling. Other people wake up all chipper and happy! Point is he may be getting enough sleep for him- does he fall asleep in the car? Does he take an afternoon nap? Does he nod off a couple hours after waking in the morning? Make sure his room is comfortable, his mattress supportive and don't make too big a deal over the sleep quantity. Once he perceives its an issue with you it will become one for him too and then you're dealing with another set of problems.

Answer 5

I agree that he's not getting enough sleep. My daughter is 3 and she still naps during the day and sleeps probably 10 hours at night in addition to the nap. Boy if she misses that nap, we are in trouble too. She's cranky and snappy. Also, she doesn't rest as well at night if she doesn't get that nap.

You could try having "quiet" time after lunch with him and at least he could rest, even if he does not sleep. Each day after his lunch turn down the blinds and turn off the TV and just let him have some time to either rest on the sofa or rest is his own bed if he likes. At least that will give him a little time to re-charge his battery !!

Good Luck

Answer 6

My 4 yr old only sleeps 8-10 hours. He may not need the 10 hours you say he's getting...and too much will make him grumpy.

Try a cool room (not cold, but lower temp at night). Make sure he plays a lot during the day to help him tire. He might need to take a nap during the day...have you tried sitting with him for quiet time..that's how mine goes to sleep. We have quiet time, and he ends up falling asleep on my lap. And wakes up refreshed 2-3 hours later.

Good luck... Let his body decide how much sleep he needs, rather than worrying much about what you THINK he needs. His body knows better than any books we may read. ;)

Answer 7

Take him swimming!!! When my daughter swims at the pool at our new place, she sleeps soooo good. Or take him to the park for an hour and let him run around. That usually works with my daughter, too. Take away his toys, if he has any in his room. Maybe he is just a kid who doesn't need 12 hours of sleep. My daughter usually only gets around 9 and she does okay.

Answer 8

You could slip him NyQuil. You could hit him over the head and knock him out. Or get him a nookie bear. Play him music like soothing music. Give him warm milk. Give him a bath before bed. Just like try to calm him down before bed. Kids that go to bed hyper don't sleep enough. As for naps, do the same thing, wind him down before hand.

Answer 9

What time do you put him to bed? I looked it up and they are saying he needs 11-14 hrs. Ten at night and a nap. Try putting him to be earlier, and letiing him lay in his bed in the morning and maybe he will go back to sleep,good luck

Answer 10

KEEPING THE LIGHT OUT IS A GOOD IDEA. BUT TEN HOURS OF SLEEP A NIGHT IS PLENTY ONE REASON HE MAY BE CRANKY IS HE IS READY FOR HIS DAY TO BEGIN. START WITH A LITTLE CUDDLE TIME, SOME BREAKFAST AND A PRAYER. DAYS SEEM TO BE SO MUCH SMOOTHER WHEN WE START THEM WITH INVITING GOD ALONG FOR THE JOURNEY.