Get The Bump digital magazine >

tools: My Baby Calendar | Baby Namer | Gender Chart | How Big is Baby?

community

all boards


birth clubs


nest boards


my blog

my photos

my boards


200+ Easy Weeknight Meals!

Green living: Eco-friendly tips & tricks!

< Previous topic | Next topic >

All Boards > Pre-School

Sort:
12-18-2012 at 5:52 AM
niknak1128
Not Ranked
Joined on 06-02-2003
Jackson, Mi
2,059 Posts
2,078 Points
niknak1128 is not online. Last active: 05-13-2013, 8:35 PMSilver

How do I get my 4yr old to sleep?

I'm at a total loss and I'm starting to worry that his lack of sleep is going to affect his ability to learn and do well otherwise.  As a baby, he never really slept well. He always woke up easily and was hard to put down.  He transitioned to his big boy bed just before he turned 3. The first couple of weeks he slept through the night but he woke up really early.. like 4am.  After that he seemed much better.  He seems to do fine sleeping through the night and staying in his bed but I cannot get him to sleep later than 4 or 5am!  I'm on maternity now.  When I was working, I had to get up at 5am to get ready.  I used to have to wake him up at 6:30.. he never woke up on his own.  Now... it's like he refuses to sleep past 4-5am. And if something wakes him earlier than that, he'll get up and won't fall back asleep.  DH leaves for work around 3:30-4am.  The garage door is under DS's window.  DH unplugs the garage door and manually pushes it up so that it's quiet and doesn't wake up DS.  Still, he seems to wake up at the smallest noise and then he's up. 

Bedtime is the same every night.  He goes down at 8pm. We read one-two books and he falls asleep pretty easily.  Sometimes he tries to stall like asking for something to drink or needing one more hug or a kiss.. but usually he falls asleep and goes to bed pretty easily.  

He does still nap.. I think he sleeps about an hour or so at school.. at home he usually will sleep 1-2 hours.  

What am I doing wrong? What can I do to help him sleep longer?  I know he's exhausted. He looks exhausted. He acts exhausted. In turn, I'm exhausted.  Now, I have a newborn in the house and he's waking her up all the time.. not on purpose.. just because she hears him being loud and making noise. 
http://tinypic.com/r/296hpas/7 Lilypie Fourth Birthday tickers Baby Brooke born at 19 weeks on 09/02/2011. Lilypie Angel and Memorial tickers Image and video hosting by TinyPic Lilypie First Birthday tickers 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-18-2012 at 6:16 AM
Luhdashuh
Not Ranked
Joined on 08-22-2010
1,108 Posts
7,707 Points
Luhdashuh is not online. Last active: 05-25-2013, 1:04 PMBronze
The only thing that helped dd1 get past this was cutting out daily naps and doing quiet time.
DD#1 12/30/08 DD#2 5/3/11 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-18-2012 at 9:10 AM
mrsseguin
Not Ranked
Joined on 07-09-2006
Canada
3,925 Posts
5,729 Points
mrsseguin is not online. Last active: 05-24-2013, 10:04 AMSilver
We have fans in each of the kids rooms.  It really drowns out the noise, DD is a light sleeper and it really helps.  Why not try cutting out the naps and see if he sleeps longer.  It took DS about a good 2 weeks to get used to not napping.  Now he goes to bed earlier at 7:30 and wakes between 6:30/7.  It actually a much better schedule.  On the rare occasion that he does nap, it's from 11:30-1:30.
DS 11/14/2008 DD 12/20/2010  
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-18-2012 at 9:42 AM
lasposa425
Not Ranked
Joined on 05-20-2004
Detroit
4,182 Posts
26,452 Points
lasposa425 is not online. Last active: 05-24-2013, 12:59 PMSilver
I would cut out the naps and see if that helps.
Lilypie First Birthday tickers Lilypie Fourth Birthday tickers Lilypie Kids Birthday tickers 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-18-2012 at 9:43 AM
Leap08
Not Ranked
Joined on 02-15-2008
Boise, ID
3,272 Posts
8,726 Points
Leap08 is not online. Last active: 05-24-2013, 2:27 PMSilver
We put a night light in my daughter's room that is a blue moon when it's time to sleep and turns into a yellow sun when it's okay to wake up. She is not supposed to leave her room until her yellow sun is on. We used this light along with a sticker chart to get her to sleep later. She got a sticker every morning that she stayed in bed until the yellow sun came on. When she had 5 stickers she got a reward. After that it was 10 stickers for a reward, and then it was 10 stickers in a row for a reward. We phased it out after that, because it wasn't really necessary anymore.
Lilypie Third Birthday tickers Lilypie First Birthday tickers 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-18-2012 at 9:47 AM
cmeon_the_...
Not Ranked
Joined on 03-18-2004
Orlando
10,806 Posts
22,305 Points
cmeon_the_water is not online. Last active: 05-25-2013, 1:54 PMGold
Definitely sounds like it's time to cut naps. FWIW, in the three years we've been at our Montessori primary (PK3, PK4, K) school, none of the 4yo+ napped. Only a few of the the full day 3yos still do. I'd hope his school isn't making naps mandatory at this age- but, 2 hours is definitely a very long nap for a 4yo.
 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-18-2012 at 11:01 AM
ridesbutto...
Not Ranked
Joined on 02-23-2002
ontario
10,953 Posts
29,795 Points
ridesbuttons is not online. Last active: 05-25-2013, 12:27 PMGold

cmeon_the_water:
Definitely sounds like it's time to cut naps. FWIW, in the three years we've been at our Montessori primary (PK3, PK4, K) school, none of the 4yo+ napped. Only a few of the the full day 3yos still do. I'd hope his school isn't making naps mandatory at this age- but, 2 hours is definitely a very long nap for a 4yo.

I agree with this.

I would also put a digital clock in your DS's room and let him know that he is not to get up before (whatever time you deem reasonable) say, 7am.  Cover up the 'minutes' on the clock with electrical tape if you need to.
promised myself I'd retire when I turned gold, and yet here I am 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-18-2012 at 1:10 PM
lolonyo
Not Ranked
Joined on 11-29-2003
Alberta, Canada
5,243 Posts
8,849 Points
lolonyo is not online. Last active: 05-25-2013, 1:16 PMSilver
I also agree about cutting naps. DS was a nightmare to get to bed until we dropped the nap, now he goes to bed easily and stays asleep for a full 10 to 12 hours depending on the day.
He still seemed like he needed the extra sleep during the day but after a few adjustment days we all got used to the new routine.
Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker  
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-18-2012 at 3:16 PM
June2007
Not Ranked
Joined on 02-28-2005
Central Florida
3,858 Posts
14,226 Points
June2007 is not online. Last active: 05-25-2013, 2:17 PMSilver
I agree with others: cut naps. I would also play music/ a sound machine. My kids can sleep through anything because I have always had a sound machine going while they slept. It drowns out other noises and I'm not stuck trying to whisper and tip toe while they're asleep. DD1 used to be a light sleeper but she is a good solid sleeper now.
My 2 girls, both born on a Friday the 13th, are exactly 2 years, 2 months, 2 hours and 2 minutes apart! Baby #3 coming in October!
Lilypie Fifth Birthday tickers Lilypie Third Birthday tickers AlternaTickers - Cool, free Web tickers 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-18-2012 at 8:35 PM
ncbelle
Top 200 Contributor
Joined on 01-24-2004
Durham, NC
17,714 Posts
14,282 Points
ncbelle is not online. Last active: 05-25-2013, 8:11 AMPlatinum
I'd also say cut the nap...and do an earlier bedtime.  Never fails that if Callum is up later than usual, he will be up earlier than normal too.  I'd also do white noise in his room if you don't already.
Eleanor Untitled Volunteer Babywearing Educator with Babywearing International of the Triangle
Training to be a Breastfeeding Counselor for Breastfeeding USA
Babywearing Guide ** Newborn Carriers
Cloth Diaper Guide
AP Bumpies Facebook Page
www.becomingmamas.com AlternaTickers - Cool, free Web tickers AlternaTickers - Cool, free Web tickers 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-20-2012 at 10:44 AM
brewcitybr...
Not Ranked
Joined on 10-02-2003
Milwaukee
1,990 Posts
8,212 Points
brewcitybride is not online. Last active: 01-18-2013, 10:30 AMBronze
Cut out the nap. Get a white noise machine for him.
Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
Hot Topics

New dad or dad-to-be? Chat with other dads here!
Visit the Dads & Dads-to-be board

Need baby shower inspiration? Get ideas here!
Visit the Baby Showers board

Chat with other crafty moms here!
Visit the Crafty Moms board

search boards

choose another board

most active posters
BPaws
1,006 posts
sunlavende...
994 posts
linzeek44
611 posts
minicheezb...
413 posts
Nest Cayla
388 posts
sheacox
347 posts
NotElsie
306 posts
*Mrs*Rohrb...
222 posts
Love4Labs3...
203 posts
jertie
112 posts

connect with these online bumpies
mnbv9502! lili118
maydaygirl590 UponAStar63
elf828 RG1979
mattsgirl2004 Tally06
AmeliaKris babyLOLO13
Pretzel80 JocelynB0911
chocolatechip06 Firefly062
fabulouspinkmady Mochadoodle
j22012 andiabbs
jbaytson AshleyMatt1215
kayla&joe tantdylf
Mufflerlove Seaweed7
precious72381 Lhyacinth888
GhostMonkey TXswissmiss
magenta173 xxpairofmedicsxx
From The Nest Boards:
"Finding couple friends?"
marinomelissa on Relationships

"Favorite pumpkin recipes?"
laurasr1984 on What's Cooking?