He hits himself repeatedly or plays with his hands just to stay awake. Any suggestions on how we can get him to sleep? Yes, we do a bedtime routine every day, but he still fights it.
2006-07-21 14:33:36 · 15 answers · asked by Terri M 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
You may want to have him assessed. I am a mother of a child w/ developmental delays and this sounds suspicious. (Not saying it is, but why take a chance...there's help for him out there...trust me!)
2006-07-21 14:37:34 · answer #1 · answered by LastNerveLost 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The hitting himself and playing with his hands is perfectly normal. I would start with evaluating when his nap times are and when his bedtime is. The routine is a good idea. If he is staying awake for 3 hours I would bet he just isn't sleepy. He shouldn't be sleeping more than 2 hours at nap time. I would make sure he was up by 2:00 or 2:30. He probably isn't going to want to go to bed until 8:00 or 9:00. If you are putting him to bed earlier, you need to back up the nap time so that he has time to get tired. A good book to read is What to Expect: The Toddler Years. It has lots of great info.
2006-07-21 23:15:05 · answer #2 · answered by wolfmusic 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oh boy....you have your hands full don't you? The terrible twos are a hard age for kids and more for parents.
Glad you have a bedtime routine each evening. Stick to it. The hitting is to only stay awake.
I don't know what your bedtime routine includes but you might include: reading; watching a movie right before bed; playing music softly; a nice warm bath before bed and as for me when I was little my Mom had to feed me a bowl of cereal to fill my tummy up so that I'd sleep.
Of course a good run around the block sometimes wears them out too. Just kidding...this is a tough age and I pray that things settle down for you soon.
Remember he'll start Kinder before long so enjoy this time now.
2006-07-21 21:41:01 · answer #3 · answered by okiemom67 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
does he take a nap during the day? if so limit it to no more than 2 hrs. and dont let him nap after 1pm. if he wants to nap late in the day, keep him busy so he wont fall asleep. i dont think he has problems like the other person suggested, some kids are just afraid they are going to MISS something if they fall asleep. Also start winding down in the eveningsay around 6:30 or so. My son is 3. He gets up at 9ish in the morning and we keep him playing all day. most of the time he does not nap but he will get a little cranky towards the evening. then he gets his warm bath, his glass of milk and he is out in like 20 minutes of laying down. also if he eats candy, that may be causing problems too. good luck
2006-07-21 21:43:21 · answer #4 · answered by luvnuttydog 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What ever you read on here your son is fine!!! I have the same problems with my son he is 3. he used to bite his self and then I tried the keeping him up from 8 am to 9:30 10:00 pm and around 9:00 i give him a bath but not to long because it will wake them up if they have a lot of play time. then read and talk to him about it being bed time! if you keep him up all day he will be fine and get enough sleep at night! and that will mean more sleep for you!!! if you wanna e mail more smokeylynn49224@yahoo.com Good luck!!!!!!
2006-07-21 23:30:11 · answer #5 · answered by Robin t 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go and get the book called "Solve Your Child's Sleep Problems" by Richard Ferber. It is really informative and explains to you that some children do the hitting thing to calm themselves. It explains it all and says that it is quite normal. It gives you ideas and strategies to help solve the problem. Hope that helps. Good Luck!
2006-07-21 21:47:38 · answer #6 · answered by Danielle P 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All children at one time or another dislike having to end a fun filled day. During your bedtime routine, think sleepy thoughts and yawn a few times.
It does work.
2006-07-21 21:40:37 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
well he's probably hitting himself for attention and really truly is fighting the sleepiness. as long as he stays in bed and knows that he has to stay there he'll be ok. sometimes my two yr old yells and screams but i never allow her to get out of bed. she useto yell the word "ow" over and over so i could go see what was wrong with her. now shes just yelling. i just ignore her and then go check on her when she does fall asleep. best of luck - i know these are trying times.
2006-07-21 21:42:32 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try Dr Ferber's Solving Your Child's Sleep Problems. It's not about letting them cry it out like most people assume. There's more to it than that. It teaches how to help your child fall asleep without being dependent on things or people, etc. And to recognize sleepiness and what to do about it.
2006-07-21 22:34:30 · answer #9 · answered by eebrs 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Make sure your little one is not going to bed at night with a televison on. I recently read that the waves given off by the television when on are designed to stimulate the brain to wakefulness. Also try iced chamomile tea. My son loves it without sugar, and it helps sooth him to sleep. I also have a lavendar pillow mist that I spray on his pillows 30 minutes before he is to go to sleep. The lavendar helps to soothe you to sleep.
2006-07-21 21:41:56 · answer #10 · answered by Meesh 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know,myself,have you asked his pediatrician? Also,try posting on the Nanny911 website. Go to fox.com,then click on shows,then Nanny911. A great bunch of people,whom I am sure might be able to have an answer for your problem.
2006-07-21 21:37:07 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋