I had already noticed that he was more tired than usual but I didn’t think it was that bad. Now I’m worried because at home he also wakes up several times during the night and sometimes goes to bed late. I want to help him rest better. I’m thinking about doing sleep therapy with him, something like a stricter routine without screens before bed and with fixed schedules, but I don’t know if that will be enough or if I should seek professional help. I want my child to rest well and be in a good mood during the day
My daughter went through something similar when she was around 5. She was waking up multiple times a night, and it started affecting her mood during the day. I did exactly what you’re thinking, no screens at least an hour before bed, a consistent bedtime routine bath, story, snuggles, and a very strict bedtime. It took a few weeks, but it made a huge difference. One thing that helped was making sure she was getting enough sunlight and exercise during the day too. I will say, if it doesn’t improve after a few weeks, it might be worth talking to a pediatrician just to rule out things like sleep apnea or restless leg syndrome. You’re doing great by noticing it and being proactive!
Ugh, sleep struggles are the worst. It’s so hard when they’re exhausted but just can’t seem to sleep well. You’re definitely not alone in this. My son was like a little zombie some mornings, and I felt awful. I hope things get better soon for you both!
Sleep issues can be so draining, but the good news is that they’re usually fixable! Kids are super adaptable, and with some consistency, you’ll likely see improvements. It might take a bit of trial and error, some kids need a lot of wind down time, some need a weighted blanket, some need white noise. But once you find what works, things will get so much better. My daughter used to be up multiple times a night, and now she sleeps through almost every night just because we tweaked her bedtime routine and made sure she wasn’t overtired before bed. You got this!
Oh wow, my son does this too! He gets up at least twice a night, and I have no idea why. He doesn’t say he’s scared or anything, just seems to wake up. Do you think your son is waking up because of nightmares, needing the bathroom, or just randomly? I’m trying to figure out what’s going on with mine too
One thing that worked wonders for us was an earlier bedtime. I know it sounds counterintuitive, but when my son was overtired, he actually slept worse and woke up more. We moved his bedtime up by 30 minutes, and after a week, he was sleeping through the night. Also, maybe check if he’s eating close to bedtime? Some foods like sugar or caffeine, even in chocolate can mess with sleep. We switched to a small protein, based snack before bed instead of fruit or crackers, and that helped stabilize blood sugar and reduce wake-ups
Yup, been there. My kid was the master of fighting sleep. It does get better once you find what works!
My son used to have awful sleep habits, and I swear I thought we’d never get through it. He’s 7 now and sleeps like a champ What worked for us was really sticking to a bedtime routine, even on weekends as hard as that was Also, a little lavender lotion before bed and a very dim nightlight seemed to help. But honestly, the biggest game, changer? Time Eventually, they grow out of the worst of it Keep at it you’re doing all the right things!
Wow, THX you all for the ideas and support. It really helps to hear from others who have been through it. I think I’m going to try an earlier bedtime and a more structured routine for a few weeks and see how it goes. I’ll also look into a wake, up clock and see if that helps. Fingers crossed this works!
Something that’s been a huge help for us is using a visual bedtime schedule. I made a simple chart with pictures of each step bath, pajamas, brush teeth, story, bed and it gave my son a sense of control over bedtime. Another thing, if your child is waking up at night, try a wake, up clock. We used one that changes colors to show when it’s okay to get up, and it really helped him stay in bed longer. If you suspect anxiety is playing a role, gentle reassurance and a predictable routine will be key
kiddo was an absolute NIGHT OWL. Like, no matter what, he just would not settle down. What finally worked for us was focusing more on the wind-down process. We do a “calm-down hour” before bed no screens, dim lighting, quiet activities like puzzles or coloring. Then we moved bedtime up by 15-minute increments until we found the sweet spot. It wasn’t an overnight fix, but after a couple of weeks, it was like magic. You’re already thinking in the right direction. Stick with it, and I