More sleep problems with 3.5 year old

[Carmela's Mom]

My 3.5 year old broke her femur almost two weeks ago.  She has had two surgeries, hospital stays, 2 full body casts, etc.  She's still in a full body cast.  Its hard to bring her to her room so her and I have been sleeping downstairs on the pull out couch.  Its not working out though and tonight I am going to put her in her room by herself and keep her monitor on for me.  She isn't in a lot of pain anymore, but she is just so uncomfortable as we can all imagine   Her back hurts, etc. 

Well here's my issue.  She is up ALL night long.  At least once an hour or two for the minimum of 15 minutes each time!  So at noon when my son naps, I make her nap.  But she refuses.  This is making her SO tired by the time bedtime comes around (7:00).  She is seriously just a brat all night long   It's awful.

Any suggestions?  Should I continue trying to make her nap?  SHould I give up on it and just put her in her room and pray that works?  I really don't know what to do

[momofclaire]

Oh dear!  Hugs to you and her.  The poor thing is probably just really frustrated and uncomfortable.  I might forget about the daytime nap for now if you think the waking is more because of discomfort. I think there are probably a lot of kids her age who don't nap so I would attempt for some down time, although I am sure she isn't doing much running around, during the day and try to get all the sleeping in at night.     What does she want/need at night when she wakes?  How much longer does she have to be in the cast?

Hugs again. 
Myia

[Carmela's Mom]

Myia,

thanks for your response.  She didn't nap at all before this accident, but she slept through the night pretty much so she was getting enough sleep.  Now she is not, and I'm afraid a pattern is going to emerge.  I'm not sure how much longer for the cast, i'm hoping 3 weeks but I think that may be a bit optimistic.

[Jaime]

my gut instinct is that a nap might exacerbate the problem... in the sense that she is likely not running around as much as usual?  might make it harder for her to BE tired at bedtime, although sounds like you all have a nasty cycle of overtired going on right now...   

[Mom to M&M]

Agreed - the nap might only get her rested enough with little physical activity to do even worse at night. She definitely does sound overtired though - can you get her to bed even earlier than 7pm?

[Carmela's Mom]

See that's the only reason I want her to nap....to get at least a few good naps in and hope that she sleeps better at night, then we'll catch up and drop the nap again.  Right now I'm working on "quiet time" with her without tv since she won't sleep with a tv on.  So we'll see how that goes.  It sounds like she may be sleeping right now....will check in a little bit.  Last night she slept in her own room and did a little better.  Bed: 7:00 pm (right to sleep) 9:30-12:00 am on/off 5:30-6:30 on/of

[momofclaire]

Just sending more hugs.  I know this is a hard time and I think partly you are just going to have to do your best until that cast comes off as it can't be helping.

  
Hang in there and if you need to post in the lounge for hugs and support.