Make my 3 year old sleep!!?

Question

How do i make my 3 year old sleep at night? She will not go to bed. She lays down and decideds "I'm hungry. I'm really Hungery!"
So last night I fed her and she ate a ton. She eats supper and I offer her a snack before bed.
What else can I do? I'm at my wits end. She barely sleeps! And no nap most days. the last 3 days she's been up till 2 am. Today I woke her up at 6:30 am wheen I wake up.
Don't know if it will work...
Any experience in this?

Answer 1

She may be OVERtired. Sometimes kids that don't nap get wound up and pass into that zone where they're too sleepy to sleep.
I hope since she's 3 she's not drinking soda or eating tons of candy, but you never know these days. Obviously, if she is then that needs to stop.
No TV or movies for at least 2 hours before bed. Take her outside and make sure she runs around after dinner. Fresh air and exercise are the best way to tire out a kid (or a grownup).
Set a routine, and stick to it. At my house that means dinner, playtime, bath, books and then into bed by 8:30 or 9pm every night. My 3 year old sleeps great. She also naps from 1-3 everyday. Getting up at a consistent time will help too.
I think if you make sure she burns off that excess energy and isn't being overstimulated before bed you will find that she has an easier time settling down.
Be patient- change takes time. Good luck.

Answer 2

First, make sure she's getting lots of exercise during the day and is outside as much as possible. Then make sure all legitimate needs have been satisfied before turning out the lights. Sounds like your before-bed snack needs to be big and satisfying, but make clear that it's the last call for food for the day. Let her bring water and a stuffed animal to bed. Make sure she uses the bathroom. Then, after your bedtime stories are over, turn out the light, say goodnight, and leave. Tell her it's up to her when to fall asleep but that she needs to be quiet in her bed with the lights off. Then leave and don't come back except for blood. :-) No more food, water, hugs, etc. If she wanders out of the room, bring her back with no discussion (consider putting up a safety gate if you don't think she'll need the bathroom in the night). Don't worry if she's awake or asleep, but do wake her up early in the morning so she gets on a reasonable schedule.

Also, is she anxious about something that you can determine? Scared of monsters in her closet? If you can figure out why she's not going to sleep, you can help her better.

Answer 3

My three year old son was the same way. We've changed these few things and it seems to have helped. I wake him up same time everyday, around 8am. I try to make sure he gets outside at some point in the day for at least an hour ( swimming in the pool works well, the beach is better ). I've almost completely cut out fruit and juice drinks late in the day, and when he really wants some, I water it down. They contain a lot of natural sugars that I think make a difference in late night behavior. We cut out late night sweets as well. He takes a bath with lavender soap and is allowed a movie at bedtime, which usually relaxes him enough to fall asleep on his own. Sometimes my husband or I will just lay with him in his bed until he falls asleep. hope this helps

Answer 4

Having a little routine that you do every night works wonders for me ( I have a 3 1/2 year old daughter). Bath, pajamas, snack, brush teeth, story, bed. Same time every night, usually a yogurt for snack, she picks the story and we read it in bed. Having a consistant bed time will help set her internal clock and she'll start being tired around bedtime.

Answer 5

yes i agree with a lot of the answers but to cut it short and break it up for you.....a routine very important.....lots of out door play even a evening walk before bed....lavender is really good its relaxing you can even put a drop on her pillowcase but make sure its pure essential oil.....and when i say a good bedtime i mean around 7pm is good children need more sleep then adults as they are still growing and they grow when there asleep no we dont grow anymore we just age but yes the body does all this of a night when we sleep and watch her diet she sounds like she is very active cut all sugar out just give her water and milk fruit and fresh cooked meals all these preservatives and sugars in foods are making the kids crazy read your labels do your research you will be horrified really whats in the prepackaged foods.....and maintain your routine and stay firm and dont give up it will probably take a week or 2 but dont give in the reward will be great.....anyway goodluck and stay strong...no matter what...

Answer 6

She's playin' you like a fiddle.
Magic words to make her sleep?
Put her to bed. And when she gets out, put her back in bed. She knows you're going to give into her. Don't feed her. Say "You ate at dinner. Bedtime"
Don't overtalk. Once you start talking, they know they've got you in their ballfield.
I'd wake her up early wear her out. Make her take a nap or at least lie in her bed for an hour.
My son tried the ol drink of water routine. I put a cup by his bed. If he needs water it's there. Guess what? He never needs water. Never takes one sip.
She's buying time.
Be firm
But down you foot.
She's controlling you. It shoudl be the other way around

Answer 7

We did it like this:

Are you hungry? Do you want a snack?
Go potty.
Kiss daddy.
Hop in bed.
Do not leave this bed. What are the reasons you can leave this bed?
throwing up
can't breathe
bleeding
the house is on fire
These are emergencies. Wanting food is not an emergency. Getting water is not an emergency. You just went to the potty, so you don't need to go again. Don't leave this bed.
Now, would you like a story on your CD to listen to while you fall asleep? Which one? Okay, there you go. Is there anything else you need? Ok, nite-nite smack.

Answer 8

Baby Benadryl or Kids Stoned Childrens Barbituates.


On a serious note: I agree with the 2 answers below me.