How Can I Get Him To Fall Asleep

amother ↓

Mon, Jun 22 2009, 10:36 pm

I need help. My 6 year old is having such a hard time falling asleep at night. He plays hard all afternoon, jumping on the trampoline, bike riding, jumping in the sprinkler, etc. I always bathe him before bedtime, we read a story, and he listens to a story tape. And then, he lays there for HOURS, with his eyes wide open. Whenever I pass his room he calls out "Mommy I am so tired and I can't fall asleep!" My heart goes out to him. He tries counting sheep, listens to shiurim (cuz he notices I drift off listening to shiurim), reads from his siddur in the dark, etc. But hour after hour, he is still wide awake. Let's not even talk about the morning. I literally have to drag him out of bed so he doesn't miss his bus. He literally cries "But Mommy, I just fell asleep!" and I believe him. He is NOT getting enough sleep. I spoke to my pediatrician, who says that eventually his body will just get into falling asleep earlier, because he needs the sleep, but we have yet to see that happen. A friend mentioned melatonin, but I was advised by a health care professional against giving it to a child so young. Please, does ANYONE have any ideas??

HELP ME HELP MY CHILD!

flmommy

Mon, Jun 22 2009, 10:42 pm

My 5 yo has a similar problem. It takes him 1-2 hrs to fall asleep. I haven't found a great solution. I did recently make his bed time a little later and it seemed to help. He actually fell asleep a little quicker. My husband also sometimes gives him a back massage. I am not a good sleeper so I sympathize with him. we tried stories on CD but it only seemed to stimulate him. I think my sons issue is he can't stop thinking about the day. Good luck.

MiamiMommy

Tue, Jun 23 2009, 12:11 am

I had trouble falling asleep as a kid. My pediatrician recommended a few things, and two of them helped-

1. Before bed, I'd write or draw in a journal. It would be about anything that was on my mind- what I'd done that day and/or what was going to be happening the next day. I also wrote about anything that was worrying me, or that I was excited about. This helped clear my mind.

2. He recommended my parents play soothing, slow, instrumental music while I was falling asleep. It could be nigunim, lullabies, etc. . .but no words, and it shouldn't be loud. I listened to old ballroom classics! :-)

My parents stuck with it for a little less then a year, and then I didn't need it anymore.

↑ amother

Tue, Jun 23 2009, 10:13 am

Thanks for your suggestions. I am always afraid that the reason why he can't fall asleep is because he is worried about something, but when I try to talk to him, he seems suprised that I think something is troubling him. I think he doesn't know how to turn his mind off.

btMOMtoFFBs

Tue, Jun 23 2009, 10:38 am

We have the same prob with our 6 yo DS. Its been going on for a while. After his 8:00 bed time he was often still awake (and very frustrated) at 9:45 and once even at 11:00. I would then give him benadryl to help him fall asleep, and then he was a zombie in the a.m.

We just talked to the ped about it. Here are some things he told me I could try:

He asked about getting enough exercise (sounds like your son does)
Pushing back bedtime 1/2 hr
Early dinner (not going to bed with a heavy, full tummy)
Good bedtime routine.. pajamas, story, shower, etc
Look into any meds/vitamins he's taking to see if they could be affecting sleep.
He also recommended trying melatonin, which B"H has been working wonderfully. We give it to him at 6:30 and he seems to be falling asleep shortly after his 8:00 bedtime now.

I am also planning on getting him a little light he can attach to the frame of his bunk bed so if he can't fall asleep he can turn on a little light and read in bed. He is a big reader and I think this will help when I want to wean him off the melatonin.

HTH and good luck.

mommyofboys

Tue, Jun 23 2009, 3:27 pm

I have a 6 & 4 year old ds that have the same problem. The ped prescribed melatonim. He said its a natural thing, causing the body & muscles to relax. I dont give it to them at night, but when they have to sleep in the afternoon, like by a wedding, I give it to them. 10 minutes after taking it, they are sound alseep. My ped said it's not a sleeping pill, & I see it for myself. My 6 year old sleeps for 1 hour only. The other one, sleeps for 2 hours.