My 5 yr old daughter barely sleeps.?

Question

She sleeps for maybe 4 or 5 hours at the most every night.We start putting her to bed at 7:30-8 pm.She doesn't usually fall asleep until later.the she is up at 5-6 am.She isn't dragging.She is full of energy.Just cranky and rebellious.I don't know what to do.This whole situation is burning me out.Plus my husband is in the military and currently not here.So I am on my own with her and my other three young ones.(the 5 yr old is the oldest).any advice?

It has nothing to do with her diet.She eats alot.Often because she is severly underweight.i.e. a 32 lb 5 yr old who is maybe 3 ft tall.she is very small.so she has to eat alot.and we try to keep it healthy for the most part.

Answer 1

I HAD THAT PROBLEM WITH MY SON ALSO. I THINK YOU SHOULD TAKE HER TO A NEUROLIGIST AND HAVE A SLEEP TEST DONE. MY SON IS TAKING CLONIDINE, WHICH IS A BLOOD PREASURE MEDICATION, AND IT MAKES HIM SLEEP GREAT AT NIGHT.ON THAT SLEEP TEST HE HAD, IT SHOWED HIS MIND TO BE RACING INSTEAD OF A DEEP SLEEP. THAT WAS A RELIEF TO ALL OF US. WE NOW CALL IT HIS BED PILL.
HOPE THAT MIGHT HELP YOU . TRICIA

Answer 2

You say it has nothing to do with her diet...but you don't say WHAT it is she eats. If she's eating alot of sugar that could be the problem, chocolate can also be the problem because chocolate has caffeine in it. Colas have caffeine, cookies and cakes have tons of sugar and too many can keep even adults awake at night.
Secondly start putting her to bed later. If her diet isn't the problem then obviously she doesn't require a lot of sleep. Not ALL children do. During the day make sure she gets TONS of exercise and isn't sitting in front of the television or computer all day long.

Answer 3

Why dont you allow her to go to bed an hour later and give her some warm milk before she lays down. Have a consistant schedule for her to follow daily. You can begin it by allowing her to look at books or do quiet activites between 5:00-7:00am. Then provide her with a healthy breakfast. Remember your in charge, not her.

If she is full of energy all day long perhaps she could be ADHD and you may want to look into that.

Answer 4

Hi I am Heather, I babysit my 6 year old neice all the time. maybe try sleepin in her beadroom, or have you sleep with you. If she isn't sleeping, she probably gets bored and thinks about alot of things. maybe someone told her something bad or inapropriot, she is probaby nerves or something, my niece spits out alot of things at night. talk to her and ask if something is bothering her. Also keep her healthy and don't feed her much soda, candy, or any sweets. soda can be bad, especially if it has caffine. make sure she feels safe. it is good to help her during this age, it is the age when she will start shping into a kid, she isn't a baby any more. She also might be sad about her dad being gone. tell her she will see him soon, and everything will be alright.
hope that helped,
HEATHER

Answer 5

I think she misses her dad or something and she is just trying to find out a way to cope with it. Back in 1990s during the Iraqi invasion to Kuwait, we were not there, but my father was in Kuwait the whole time. One of my sisters used to hide in the house everyday in different places to avoid going out or to school. When my mom asked her why she was doing so, she said she misses dad!

Also check for night terrors.. I hope this is not the case though.

You can also play with her mind, if she is used to go to bed at a certain time, delay it 30-45 minutes. This way you are tricking her mind that she is not sleeping on time.

Let her drink warm milk before bed time, or chamomile tea. This should relax and calm her.

At this age, she really need to get at least 8 hours of sleep if not more in order for her to grow up and be healthy.

If all of the above fail, take her to the doctor or psychiatric. They may be able to do something and figure out if she is suffering from that mentally or physically.

I am hoping its all just a phase and she will grow out of it.

Good Luck :) I hope I helped

Answer 6

Try putting her to bed at 9 and she will probably be up at 7 - 7:30. If she gets up at like maybe 4 instead on a regular basis you might want to have her checked for hyperthyroidism. It's not major but if that's the case it might need corrected. If it ends up that nothing is wrong then get used to it. But wouldn't it be nice to be able to bottle that energy and sell it?

Answer 7

it could be that her bed time needs to be shifted. Maybe she's just naturally a night-owl and she'll sleep better if you put her to bed later.

It's also possible she has insomnia. Insomniacs tend to be able to function well even with small amounts of sleep, so it sounds likely. Maybe you should have a doctor look into it, just to be safe. Otherwise, hang in there. If it's a phase it'll pass, if not you can adjust accordingly in a manner that would benifit everyone.

Answer 8

we'll i have a 5yr old daughter and i am a single parent. So basically don't let her or your other children take a nap at all during
the day.And well try to involve all of them in activities that require them to run around like playing with a ball, any type of activity that will require alot of movement, and of course no sugar drinks 2 to 3hrs prior to bedtime. The key is to make her tired during the day so she will sleep during the night.

Answer 9

I didn't sleep much at that age either, but I didn't have any health problems, I just didn't need that much sleep! Contrary to popular belief, we need more and more sleep as we age and then it tapers off. I would lay in my bed for hours before I felt sleepy enough to drift off. I suggest having her read a book in bed until she feels sleepy which is what I did from ages 4-12. Then in junior high, I needed more sleep, so I wouldn't read for that much before I was tired. Reading is important stimulation for young minds and it also helps us wind down and relax. That way she can go to bed at bedtime but will fall asleep only when she's ready.

Answer 10

bring her to see a children doctor and that would be better advise you.

cut down on sweet stuff and do not excite her by giving her quizes and NEW toys, etc 2-3 hours before bed.

She is restless and that might also be because she misses her dad. She may also be seeking attention from you since being eldest, she would be jealous of her 2 younger siblings.

Answer 11

talk to her try to find out why she's that way. Give her Camille tea at night 1/2 hour before bed or hot milk ( or with caffeine free coco) at drug stores there ate these drug free aids for children that calm them down like the other people said no sweets or soda. if that does not work take her to the doctor (Child Doctor)