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My Daughter's Inability to Sleep Through the Night

by Leslie
(Claremont, CA)

I truly appreciate reading about other families' experiences on this site to simply know we are not alone. Our daughter, now nearly 8 yrs. old, is still waking up 2-3 times nightly and is genuinely stressed and anxious about being alone and afraid. She relies on my husband and I to tuck her in, turn on some music, straighten her bed, etc. and always asks if we can snuggle her in her bed until she falls asleep.


We have always had difficult sleep issues with her. As an infant she had trouble falling asleep unless she was being held or co-sleeping with us. As a toddler she experienced night terrors, confusional arousals and sleep walking.

I know she is not getting the sleep she needs at night. This is definitely impacting her performance in class and affects her behavior during the day. She often exhibits ADD type behavior. We have tried so many variations on our nightly routine, all to no avail. How do we teach her healthy sleep habits when it seems that everything in her fights against it? It has taken a major toll on my husband and I, as we get very little quality sleep, resulting in ADD like symptoms even for myself at work and more frequent illness.

Every pediatrician we have spoken to has said that she will grow out of it but that has not proven to be true thus far. Should I seek out a sleep specialist? How do I know if this is
physical or bahavioral?

Any ideas and suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,
Leslie

Comments for My Daughter's Inability to Sleep Through the Night

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Oct 03, 2012
 I feel your pain
by: Melissa

I wish I could offer advice and the only encouragement I can offer is to tell you....YOU ARE NOT ALONE IN THIS. I could've written your daughter's bio to describe my son...they are that similar in detail. I too, am frustrated with the dismissal I get from pediatricians that somehow I am either exaggerating or a worrywart because what I describe is somehow normal and will naturally dissipate. While I wait for him to outgrow said situation, he continues to grow more and more quality sleep deprived and I feel more and more guilty about not getting him the sleep he needs.

Have you considered melatonin? I am just starting to look into this as a way to at least help him fall asleep better, with out prescription meds or elaborate bedtime rituals like we currently endure.

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