My daughter is six years old, she wakes up in the middle of the night EVERY night.?

Question

One night I worked until about 3am, the next day she asked where I was, and I asked how she knew I was gone, she said she didn't see me when she woke up. I asked what do you mean when? She said she wakes up every night, but didn't elaborate. I never hear her, or hear her cry, and she wakes up for school fine, what do you suppose this is?

I don't work but maybe once a week @ night, but she doesn't have any light in her room, she likes it dark, and she sleeps with her little sister, who's 4 and she doesn't wake, I asked the older one. She doesn't really have nightmares, but she does have vivid dreams, she tells me about them in the morning. Honestly, I don't remember if I ever did, but I hated the dark as a child, so I always had a light (and I'm greatful that she doesn't need one!)

Answer 1

If she wakes up and then goes back to sleep, it really isn't a problem. It's completely normal for everyone to wake up during the night and go back to sleep. If she's having problems going back to sleep, then you might need to investigate that. But your question didn't really imply that she wasn't going back to sleep. If she wakes up, checks the time and then goes back to sleep, I wouldn't worry. Also, if she appears well-rested during the day, I also wouldn't worry.

I'll check back to see if you add details. If so, I'll edit my answer.

Answer 2

There could be many reasons. My oldest step daughter was waking up every night at 3am also. I found out it was because the nightlight in her room was too bright. I got her a different one that wasn't so bright and she started sleeping through the night. It could also be because she has to go to the bathroom, if that is the case limit the amount of liquid she has immediately before bed. She could be having bad dreams, breathing problems, many things. Ask her about waking up. Why she does it and what she does when she wakes? I'm sure you can figure it out together. If that doesn't work talk to her DR if you are concerned.

Answer 3

"I have had UTIs and an itchy crotch isn't a symptom. Please educate yourself before opening your mouth and threatening a parent because you are ignorant." One of the major symptoms of UTI, Bladder infections, cystitis in children happens to be a burning itch in the crotch. As a Pediatric Nurse if a child presented with such a symptom and the parent had complained of it going on for some time I would alert the doctor and the doctor would more than likely at least detain the child until a social worker could assess the situation. Children do not always present with the same symptoms for diseases, disorders as adults do which is why ignoring such symptoms constitutes neglect on any parents part. I suggest that you educate yourself rather than spouting off about something you obviously have no clue about.

Answer 4

It could be as simple as she wakes to go to the bathroom, checked to see if you were there for reassurance.

It's possible that she does not make enough melatonin. Melatonin is the chemical that the brain makes to help you feel "sleepy" and to help you fall asleep and stay asleep. Some people simply don't produce enough for their body on their own.

In my case my ten year old son has Generalized Anxiety Disorder, one of his anxieties is going to sleep at night. He had great difficulty in falling asleep and then with staying asleep. It would take him up to three hours each night to fall asleep and then he would be up anywhere from 2 to 4 or more times a night. His child psychologist suggested melatonin supplements, they are available in 3mg and 5mg tablets. We started with 3mg and found that he was still quite tired in the morning, so as suggested we cut the pill in half for a 1.5mg dosage. He takes it each night 1/2hr before bed and is now asleep withing 1/2hr of going to bed, he still gets up for the bathroom sometimes, but goes right back to sleep. It's been wonderful.

Melatonin is very safe and is available as an over the counter supplement at any pharmacy section of a department store. They are very inexpensive, especially for supplements.

I would suggest them, but you may wish to check with your pediatrician, especially if your daughter takes any other medications. You could ask your pharmacist about it. If you google melatonin you'll be able to read more about it on your own and make an informed decision if this might be something you wish to try with your daughter.

Answer 5

watch her for one whole night and try to figure out that what time she wakes up. and try to find reason by if she fully awake or half awake. i don't think it is a big problem. we have a sleeping stage that's like 1-4. you conscious what's going around you but you are sleeping i think these stuff you experienced as a adult. i think same like that. in the sleeping period we go from conscious sleep stage build up to the level 4 then slowly come down to wake up stage. hope this make sense to you. i studied this in basic psychology course. if you are worried about it then go and see the psychologist. do the research about sleeping stages in the Internet sure you can find it in the Internet.

Answer 6

I can remember being that age and I rarely sleep all the way through the night.I have to be pretty worn out to do that.I usually wake up during the night too a lot.Its just my sleep cycle and it seems to be hers.If she is getting up ok I wouldnt worry about it.

Answer 7

probably just pretty normal I wake up about 6 different times about every night but maybe a light or something is keeping her up maybe you should check and close the blinds or take out a nightlight or something but it's probably just normal she'll grow out of it try it though
ya never know!

Answer 8

my sister is 6 and she used to wake up every night, but she was scared and now she sleeps in my room and she is OK.

Answer 9

Normal.

Answer 10

maybe you should stay home for you daughter it seams like she need you in the night time and if she know that your gone i think that's a problem