Lack Of Sleep In Children

[tiggerblue10]

Over the past few months little Tigs has been having a hard time trying to get to sleep. Once I've got him to bed he often lays awake till 11 or 12 before falling asleep. Today, he fell asleep during a lesson and got detention.

I've contacted my GP and they are referring him to a child psychologist due to the problems at school which are impacting on his mental health, but in the meantime what can I do to help him with sleep?

[burlyshirley1]

They gave him detention because he fell asleep ? Poor kid.

[anneasquith]

No screens 1 hour before bedtime ?

[Karamia]

My son is autistic and has always had trouble sleeping. He is prescribed Melatonin to help him sleep. But in meantime have you tried bath then cocoa or drinking chocolate before bedtime?

[tiggerblue10]

He has warm milk with half a tsp of honey before bedtime.

[Buenchico]

The 'Do' and 'Don't' sections here might help:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/insomnia/

However I'm not sure that there is a universal cure for insomnia. Right from early childhood, I've hardly ever been able to get to sleep within two hours of going to bed and it can often take me much, much longer to drift off. Reading a book does seem to help me a bit at times though.

[tiggerblue10]

He switches his phone off half an hour before bed. He said that reading doesn't help.

[Meaghan27]

What time is his bedtime? Would it work to let him stay up until you went to bed?

Detention for falling asleep? Seriously? I would be having a word with the school.

[tiggerblue10]

The reason he got detention was because he got 2 demerits. One was for falling asleep and the other was for lack of work due to falling asleep.

He turns his phone off at 9 and should be asleep from 9.30. We get up at 7. Before all this I used to find him already awake in the mornings but now I struggle to wake him up.

[bednobs]

https://www.thisworks.com/collections/sleep-collections
my daughter uses this if things get bad. she's 10

[bednobs]

i recommended it before and it seemed to work! https://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/ChatterBank/Question1730423.html

[pastafreak]

That pillow spray is available on Amazon in a smaller size, which might make it worth trying.

Amazon.co.uk User Recommendation

I'd try it without telling him...if that's possible.

[tiggerblue10]

Cheers, Bednobs, just found it on amazon and ordered it. Should arrive tomorrow so fingers crossed it works! :o)

[tiggerblue10]

You read my mind, Pasta! ;o)

[pastafreak]

I'm considering getting it for my daughter as she's always had trouble getting to sleep.

[calmck]

Grandson is the same. He has his Ipad under his pillow playing nature sounds music. If he really struggles his mum will lie down with him

[roopower]

My grandson (10) has always had problems getting to sleep. My daughter has tried just about everything. Some, like the pillow spray work for a while and then aren't so effective. He has a programme on his tablet that plays various natural sounds, like rain and that does relax him.

[tiggerblue10]

He fell asleep a bit earlier last night and felt more refreshed this morning. The spray arrived today so trying that out now.

Took him to gp today and he's being referred to CAHMS for counselling.

[Canary42]

Putting him in detention for falling asleep or associated phenomena is absolutely disgraceful - what school is it, not Dotheboys by any chance.

In my opinion THE SCHOOL ARE THE PROBLEM, not little Tigs bless him.

[diddlydo]

What is the age of this child?

[tiggerblue10]

The age of 'this child' is 12.