My 7yr. old daughter has trouble sleeping, sometimes she stays up until 5:00a.m. Plz. Help!!?

Question

My 7yr. old daughter has been having a sleeping disorder for about 2 years now. Her docter says it normal at her age but come on. I try not to let her nap but sometimes it's too hard for her to stay awake from being up all night. She uses excuses like, being thirsty or feeling itchy. Several times she's said that she hears things and I get up with her and look things over with her to reasure her. I've tried the warm milk, teas, leaving her t.v. on, night lights, reading a book, sleeping with her and it will help for a while but sooner or later she's by my bedside again. My husband has to wake up very early so he gets upset with her sometimes and I feel so bad because I don't think she can help it.

Answer 1

There could be any number of reasons why this is happening. It could really be an effect from something quite minor. During the day, try to limit her sugar and caffeine intake. Both are stimulants and could keep a young child tweaked for hours. Also, you may actually want to have her room quite dark. Try leaving her door open and having a night light in the hall instead of her room. Make sure that you leave her T.V. off. Light sources, even faint ones, can sometimes be very destracting. Leaving the T.V. on my also prevoke her to go channel hopping to watch things like cartoons. If you give her things like tea and milk before bed, make sure that it's a rather small amount. Liquids can be very filling, which can sometimes leave her with a feeling of discomfort when she lies down. Also, if you give her tea, make sure that it isn't sweetened tea or caffeinated. Try teas that have relaxing and destressing elements such as lavender. You might also want to try a warm bath before bed. Try "Bedtime Bath" by Johnson's. I've found it to work quite well. Another possibility is that she may be craving attention. It seems as if though you put a lot of time and effort with her before bed, and she may be continuing this behavior to continue getting attention. If sleeping with her works, but her behavior picks up again when you stop, then it might be a slight possibility that she just wants you around. Try spending more time with her during the day, perhaps. I wish you the best. Good Luck!

Answer 2

At this point it has probably become a habit. I would drastically change her schedule. This is my suggestion so that she gets enough fresh air and exercise to be thoroughly tired, and on a better schedule for when school starts in the fall. I know its summer and you probably want her to sleep in but that's where I would start. I would get her up between 7- 8:00am. After having breakfast and getting dressed I would have her do some minor chores. Then I would head out for some bike riding, playing at the park, a outdoor play date, maybe a sports camp. Then home for lunch. While making lunch let her watch a TV show. Story time and then I take mine out to play in the sprinkler, slip-n-slid, pool, water fight or something water related. At 3-4 go in and start dinner. This is a good time to play out side(swing, slide, bikes, hopscotch, jump-rope, bug hunt, etc.) with some neighborhood kids or play a board game. After dinner set out for a family bike ride or walk. Maybe even a neighborhood game of kickball, or something like that, catch lightning bugs. Then come in and have a bath a story and into her bed, lights out, by 9:30. Its important for kids to have a routine and structure. Most importantly take her back to bed no matter how many times she gets up, and no naps. It will be a rough week or so but after that you will both be doing better than now. If a month or two pass and still no change I would consult a doctor again.

Answer 3

Get her on a routine make sure she's not taking any naps and limit sugar at least 3 hours before bedtime. Get her involved in a sport or activity during the day. Something out of the house. Also About 1 or 2 hours before bedtime stop playtime and have her take a shower and change into pajamas turned down the lights in the house. This will let her wind down make sure she's only doing quiet activities. Good Luck!

Answer 4

I suggest you put him in your daughter's bed and let her sleep with you. My daughter went through that for a little while, but I can't remember her age, 3 or 4 I think. We had always lived in the country and during the cooler months we left the windows open. Then suddenly, she was freaking out every night because she could hear the crickets and night sounds. So I had to leave the windows down during the nights and she slept with me for awhile. That part of it didn't last very long, she soon went back to her own bed. But it's only been in the last year that she will leave her windows open and she just turned 13. I still have no idea what brought that on, but I do know she needed to feel secure.

Answer 5

Disregaurd the Benedryl comment!! That is not a good thing to do--*even though im not an expert*
What I would suggest is making sure your daughter has no sweets after like 6--desert after dinner. People also dont realize how much sugar is actually in juice, so instead offer milk or water. If she still takes naps, have her do it right after lunch.
Then I would take her to a park or somewhere out doors to run all her energy out. This should help, but if it doesnt, I would call the doctor.

Answer 6

Get a good routine going. Let her know that bed time means just that. Ask her if she is thirsty,itchy, etc., before announcing it IS bed time. Do not let her nap at 7 she should not need it. Be horrid for a week or two and your problem will be solved. Do not budge when she wants to get out of the bed and be firm with her. Do not listen to the crazy people suggesting medicating the child this will lead to other problems you do not need. Good Luck.

Answer 7

Try limiting her intake of tea before bed unless its decaffeinated. Also, limit her intake of caffeine and food with high amounts of sugar at least 4-5 hours before bedtime. You could try to keep her active during the day as well. Try recreational or competitive sports to put that extra energy to good use. Soft, soothing music in the bedroom could the help instead of leaving T.V. on, which can be a problem more than a solution. Just a suggestion. Good luck.

Answer 8

Hi there, firstly, I would also have to disagree with giving your child medication for getting them to sleep. I think you may want to consider changing doctors as well, as that is not a regular habbit of a 7 year old. First, start off simple with her room, make her room personable for her. Decorate it so she feels comfortable, take her imput. Maybe at first have a 'sleep over' with her in her room. As you've already tried to sleep in her room, that may not work. Also, I would not reccomend letting your child sleep with you and your husband in your bed, this can become an even harder habbit to break. She will not only then not want to sleep in her bed, but want to also sleep in yours. She needs to know that you are there for her, but not her sleep buddy. Depending on her bed time, have a routine that you keep to every day after dinner or bath. Special books or activities. With any child, routine and consistency is key. If you try this all one night, and it doesn't go as planned, don't give up the next. Keep to it. Like I said, consistency.
Good luck! :)

Answer 9

I feel for you. It sounds like your daughter is really struggling, and you've tried a lot of things. I am surprised that neither your doctor nor many of the other answerers suggested seeing that she gets more physical exercise during the day. That's one of the first things they recommend for adults with sleep disorders. It not only tires your body out so you can sleep more deeply, but also kicks up the "feel good" chemicals in your brain to help tackle anxiety and depression. It's worth a try.

Answer 10

Try to limit giving her sugar like pop, juices and etc. Also, try going swimming to a YMCA or something after dinner to wear her down to be able to sleep. Try getting her into sports or something that will make her want to sleep at night. Warm bathes might work right before bed. Um, or get a second opinion and go to a sleep apnea doctor who knows what they are and how they can help ur daughter. Encourage her to join things after school or encourage her to join u with walks after dinner or to the park. I hope this helps. Good Luck!