My year old son has trouble going to sleep. Please help!?

Question

It's not about a power struggle - I think it's anxiety. I've seen some posts here that talk about how to slow down the evening routine (have quiet-time before dinner: replace TV and computer games with reading and music), but I think our 8 year old needs a little extra. We don't want to do melatonin, as there are concerns that he will grow dependent on it. Can you suggest some natural supplements (good for kids), and/or alternative treatments? How effective are some 'specially formulated' music CDs over CDs I could make from my own classical music selection? (Y'know, the ones that claim to help delta wave patterns, etc)

He's 8 year's old. I somehow dropped that from the question.
His 'thing' is to come knocking on our door and tell us that he can't sleep.

We generally set 8pm as bedtime, which translates as quiet time in his room if not outright sleep. Quiet time basically means books (though this is a problem, as he shares a room with his 10 year-old brother: he only gets the light from the hallway so that he doesn't disrupt his brother's sleep.) It's enough light for pictures, but not for words. Next thing we know he's knocking on our door telling us he's bored.
Besides that, leaving him to do his own thin=g has merit. However, practically I reckon he'll be settling down in the living room, with the temptation of the TV. (Maybe we'll have to lock away the video/DVD collection besides some select quiet movies like Winnie the Pooh)

Answer 1

Investigate to identify, what ever has him hyped up. Remember how children get the night before christmas? Well the way to handle that, is to convince them, that the sooner they fall asleep, the sooner morning will come. When he finally gets asleep, do you have a time to awaken him out of bed, say, for school? Try to gain insight into the cause, that brings this problem. That's when you will find a remedy.

Answer 2

Im announcing this on account that i went via the identical stuff. When i used to be a child all of the manner up till i used to be in h.s. i had dozing disorders. It all has to do with nervousness. I take meds however i could honestly trick myself into pondering matters could occur which might be incredible and even unattainable. Id endorse if it keeps to get him to a healthcare professional asap. My mother and father was once additionally divorced which was once a enormous facet on my nervousness disorders as good. I suppose for him and he's often havin it beautiful tough proper now. Make certain each and every night time you speak to him till he feels comftorable.. Those are a couple of matters that made me suppose greater.

Answer 3

My sons about the same age and I figure its due to teething. what works for him is a couple laps around the block in the car. Puts him out everytime but the real tricky part is transfering him from the car to the bed. Im still trying to find the solution to that problem myself. Good luck

Answer 4

This might seam crazy... but how about... just say bed time is 8:00 PM... you have to be in your room and quiet...

And when he goes to sleep he goes to sleep... it will work itself out... he will eventually start going to sleep when he feels tired...

Have you ever tried going to sleep when you weren't tired... makes it worse...

At least for me... I have had bouts of insomnia... sometimes lasting days... for me it is about not laying down to sleep until I am sleepy... so I read until my eyes get droopy... otherwise I just lay there all night...

GL

Get him something he can do while he lays in bed that isn't too stimulating (ie gameboy too stimulating)... that he can do while he tries to get to bed... perhaps even reading... comic books?

Answer 5

Just let him do his thing until he drops. Don't have to have music or anything else.

Why in the world would you even consider any meds or herbs to make a one year old go to sleep?

Answer 6

Try bubble baths...even if he is 8...use Johnson's lavender bath...that stuff puts even me to sleep!