Kids` Health: Sleep problems in a 5 year old!, daughter hannah, sleep deprivation
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Kids` Health – Sleep problems in a 5 year old! Expert: Bubbles – 7/24/2002
Question Hi
I’m a bit desperate for a solution to my problem. My 5 year old daughter Hannah is having consistent sleep problems and we ARE SO TIRED! You’d have thought we’d have been used to the tired thing as she didn’t sleep through the night until 2 years ago and was terrible as a baby. However, she’s been alot better since then, until now that is. In the last 2 weeks she’s started to really plague us at bedtime (hers not ours). She constantly comes down the stairs crying and saying she’s scared. She will not settle until anything between 8.30 and 10pm. Then in the night she wakes and comes in frequently again crying and saying she’s scared. Last night she was awake for over 2 hours and this is pretty much happening every night. If she’s been up in the night she will sleep in until 7 or 8am but we have a 4 year old who is up at 6am so it leaves us somewhat shattered.
We are having to move Hannah to a different school at the moment because her brother didn’t get into her school and I do wonder if this is what’s affecting her, but you never know with Hannah!
Please help us, we’re desperate for some sleep! We’ve reassured Hannah that there’s nothing scary around and tell her to think about all the nice things she’s going to do the following day but nothing seems to help and we often just end up getting cross as we’re not getting any time to ourselves.
I hope to hear from you.
Many thanks
Fiona
Answer Dear Fiona my heart goes out to you. There is nothing worse than sleep deprivation. It does sound like something has really bothered her espescially as it has only happened in the past two weeks. Your approach to her thinking about good things is great but you can take this one step further. When she is in bed at night ask her to tell you firstly 3 things she didn’t like about the day she has just had and then 3 things she enjoyed. Always do it this way round so she sleeps with the good memory. Don’t judge or criticise anything she says during this time but share any enthusiasm or excitement with her. When you reassure her that there is nothing scarey, it is important that you don’t look under the bed/in cupboards behind the door etc. This would only give her the message that you believe there could be something lurking in her bedroom.
See if she can remember any dreams perhaps getting her to paint a picture of it and then tell you what she has painted. Has she got a best friend who would perhaps come over for a sleepover which may break the pattern Sometimes just breaking the pattern is all that is needed. Also reward her for staying in her bed by the use of a sticker chart. Tell her if she has stayed in her bed til you go she will get a sticker and another one if she stays there all night. With 10 stickers she gets a special treat. As a very last resort you could try a mild sedative such as one found in antihistamines. Read the label well and follow the exact dose and do this for a maximum of two days
Do not attempt all these, only ones that appeal to you as a family. If nothing works and it continues for a further period of time you may want to get your school nurse to refer her to a psychologist or play therapsit if there is one in your area. This is very long winded but it is difficult to give advice on this type of subject without a two way conversation.
I really hope things improve for you and Hannah My thoughts are with you
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