4yr old wont sleep at bedtime

**iamLilysmummy** · 19-08-2011 11:05

my DD is 4. and iv tryd EVERYTHING i can think of to get her to sleep.. bedtime routine starts at 6pm shower just before 7pm, then watchs home and away (watched it since she was a baby) im either up n down like a yoyo or yelling out to get bak in bed or she comes out to me 20 times 'i cant sleep' she will lay in her bed till 3am. then fall asleep. iv tryd running her up n down the yard to wear her out, warm milk, no t.v, early/late dinner and phenergan and Velerghan which both have no effect on her?.. my latest is NO light globe in the bedroom.

HELP?

**my_lot** · 19-08-2011 13:08

I have a four year old who was putting it on at bedtime. I got a white board and drew 10 circles on it. I told him when he goes to bed and stays there he can have a smiley face in the morning. He also gets one for day rest. 10 smiles = small reward. Some of his rewards have been a colouring in book, a sticker book, an action figure, a small bus.

We start the bedtime routine soon after dinner. He doesnt watch any tv and he isnt allowed to run around silly. Sometimes he will play with magnets or felt plays while i tidy up. He picks two books then we do his teeth, he goes to the toilet and has a sip of water. We read the two books on the bed, talk quietly about the books, kiss & hugs and say good night and leave the room. He has a small plug in night light. If he walks out for drink,talk, toys or anything else like that he is taken back to be and told if he walks out again he will get a sad face on his board.

This is working well for us now. I have told him i expect him to stay in his bed and what will happen if he doesnt. I let him pick his reward and we have it up high but so he can see it, so he can be reminded that if he goes to bed like a big boy he will get that reward after 10 smiley faces.

I dont think you should use any drugs to medicate your daughter to sleep if it hasnt been given by a Doctor. You should call parent line and ask for ideas but i hope other parents can give you their routines so you can see what others do.

TV may be the thing thats keeping her from sleep.

**iamLilysmummy** · 19-08-2011 22:12

thankyoou.. the medication was perscribed by the doctor

and shes watchd home and away since she was about 1..

the smiley face is actually a good idea. thanx i will definatly try it..

shes laying in her bed right now... NOT asleep

**Hollywood** · 19-08-2011 22:20

If she's not getting to sleep until 3am, what time is she sleeping until in the morning? If she's sleeping until fairly late, could it be that she just needs to be woken earlier very gradually, until she's getting up and going to bed earlier?

**Myztiks#1Fan** · 19-08-2011 22:24

Took me a very long time to get a routine for my 4yr old. I got him trained into the thought pattern that once cartoons were finished it was bed time. Works well. The only issue i have with him is staying asleep. Bedtime here is anytime between 5:30 and 6pm depending when we finish dinner as once dinner is finished he associates bed time.

Does she sleep late afternoon at all?

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**iamLilysmummy** · 19-08-2011 22:37

she wakes from 8~10am..
hasnt day slept since she was 2..

still awake.. iv sent her bak 13 times so far..

**Hollywood** · 19-08-2011 22:42

Gosh, no idea what to advise, sorry. Is she basically happy and functioning well, despite not a whole lot of sleep?

**misskittyfantastico** · 19-08-2011 22:57

What's her diet like?
You might want to do a basic elimination diet and see how she goes.

I'd wake her at 7am, she must be kindy or pre- primary?

**iamLilysmummy** · 19-08-2011 23:18

she eats all the normal foods.. shes a bouncing off the walls kinda kid. full of energy.

she goes to childcare 1~2 times a week to b social.

STILL awake .. :\

**shinebrite** · 19-08-2011 23:20

8-10 is way too late, I'd start waking her up early, like 6ish take her to the park in the mornings, bike ride in arvo, and then see if she is worn out a bit more. I'd also look at diet, she may react to sugar differently. You'd want to do this before school time starts as it would be difficult on u to get her up and ready in the mornings and then for her to stay awake, she seems like she has a lot of energy to stay up tht long, she isn't scared of the dark or something? Insomnia? Have you tried chamomile tea? You poor mum!