Sleep help needed for 3-4 year old.

KoriBrett

Sam is having issues being able to fall asleep.  DH & I have both talked to her and finally figured out what's going on, and now we need some tricks if anyone has some - she can't turn her brain off long enough to relax & pass out. 

She's tried counting, singing the alphabet, and we try to get her to think about something nice or that she likes & that just winds up being a 20minute long conversation...  help ???

xbrooklyngrl

The counting worked for me personally. I had this problem as a kid/teen and counting backwards always helped me focus

omurray

I can't remember where I heard this tip from, but it works for DS (age 3).  Right before he gets into bed, I rock him for a bit and review our day.  Usually simple like, "we woke up, watched Curious George, played with toys, went to gym class, came home and had lunch, took a nap, watched Sesame Street, played catch, read books, ate dinner, took a shower, got jammies on, and now Mama rocking you for night night."  I don't know why it works, but it definitely settles him down and seems to help him relax.  Now as soon as we get into the rocking chair, he says "tell me all about the things we did today!"

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omurray:

I can't remember where I heard this tip from, but it works for DS (age 3).  Right before he gets into bed, I rock him for a bit and review our day.  Usually simple like, "we woke up, watched Curious George, played with toys, went to gym class, came home and had lunch, took a nap, watched Sesame Street, played catch, read books, ate dinner, took a shower, got jammies on, and now Mama rocking you for night night."  I don't know why it works, but it definitely settles him down and seems to help him relax.  Now as soon as we get into the rocking chair, he says "tell me all about the things we did today!"

omg, we do this exactly. it is so relaxing for DS. except we talk about "Fuzzy Elmo" doing these things, not DS (strange, I know, but DS wants it that way).

and then we tell him the story is over and we will just sit next to him quietly. We go through phases. Sometimes we are in his room for 1 minute for weeks and weeks. Other times (like now!) he goes through a phase where he needs us longer. But I really try to put myself in his position: going to bed in a dark room alone can be f'ing scary! so if he needs us longer, he needs us. If it was like, an hour...that's different. but eh, it's like 15 min at the most.

winomom22

I am struggling with this same issue. Would listening to music help? I may try this with dd. I helped me when I was a kid.

2JB2004

Listening to a mellow cd quietly might help...something like norah jones...not too much like lullably's, but still calm