sleep & wind down

[MRose95]

our son turns 3 end of September and we are having daily struggles of bed time, we have a consistent routine with him he doesn’t nap as much anymore and still he is bouncing and shouting and full of energy when we have had very busy full on days, we put him in his bed by 7pm and it can take a few hours to the point we just lay on his floor, he’s gotten alot worse since we removed his dummy I’m concerned he’s showing signs of ADHD because he is so energetic he talks all the time and doesn’t even wind down, he can’t sit and watch TV for longer than 5 minutes before he’s moving and fidgeting again I just need answers or to have hope it gets better!

[Daschund21]

Hello 😊, I’m so sorry you’re having a tough time right time. Do you mind me asking what your bedtime routine is? I remember when it took my little girl (3.5) ages to get to sleep and I was always baffled because not only had she dropped naps but seemed even more energetic 🤯 Over-tiredness does strange things to our little ones doesn’t it!! All I can suggest is on days when she’s still full of energy after dinner we usually play with her in the garden or go for a walk to tire her out before a nice bath with relaxing music. Then read a few more books than usual and this seems to do the trick (sometimes!! it seems the stars and moon also have to be aligned too) Just know you’re never alone hun, we all go through it. Big hug from one mum to another 🤗

[MRose95 in reply to Daschund21]

thank you for your reply!💖 your so right you would think dropping naps they would go to bed easier, so 5pm he has his dinner then by 6 it’s bath time a little play in there with his bath toys then we lay in bed by 7 read a few books or sing and then 7:30 he’s in his bed! But it’s were the battle starts and he doesn’t wind down even when we are laying in bed and just reading he is still talking non stop! Just want things to get easier xx

[MrsHello Community Ambassador]

Hi, difficult bedtimes can be so exhausting!! I also think 2 year olds can be really hard to settle as they are learning so much at this age. It sounds like you are trying so many right things with the consistent routine, and reducing his naps. It may be that he is struggling calming himself without his dummy and maybe he’d benefit from a few soothing/ calming bits added to his routine. For us we had to do a bit of trial error and persistence to work out how to help mine settle. We tried things like low stimulus, calm music, white noise, a favourite book, a settling toy just for bed, black out blinds, a warm bath with sleepy bubble bath. It can take a while to work out what helps and we just did one new thing at a time to work out what helped. It can feel really hard as you work it out, but anything you learn is helpful even if you just find out it doesn’t work.

If you are worried about something specific like adhd could you talk to someone at his playgroup/ nursery, someone who knows him as this might reassure you, help you understand more. If there is no one you feel able to talk to about it you can always ring the health visiting team on 03003000123.

I can remember how tiring it can be so hope you are doing ok in all of this too xXx

[MrsHello Community Ambassador in reply to MrsHello]

Also just to add I found this link is the just one Norfolk resources. There may be something that can help 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻justonenorfolk.nhs.uk/child... x

[MRose95 in reply to MrsHello]

Thank you for your advice 🥹 it is very hard and I do think this age they are testing and very clever with what they do, so his other comfort has always been his muzzys but he loves the tags on them so we just brought him a new personalised one which is silk and has tags around the whole thing but he wasn’t that fussed if I’m honest! I think he’s going through some kind of development as he’s talking alot more and very clever in going against me and his daddy too! He starts nursery September so I’m hoping this will help xx

[MrsHello Community Ambassador in reply to MRose95]

🥰 that’s such a lovely idea getting a personalised taggy comforter such a good idea. Mine also got really good at understanding how to get their way. The routine and busyness of nursery will really help ( although unsettling to begin with in terms of routine) once settled it really helps. I also loved having the nursery staff support. They really got to know my little ones and I loved having them to talk to about day to day things xx