3 yr old boy awake and restless for 2 - 3 hrs a night - Need Help Pls!

[angeljo]

Hello lovlies,

I need help as we have struggled with OT before (in May) and I feel we are back in the rut.

6 nights of NW at various times, for various lengths. 4.30 am - 5.30 / 3.15 - 5am / 1.15 - 3.45 on past 3 nights.

He wakes in the morning around 7.40am as opposed to his usual rise of 6.30am.

His daytimes involve a nap in the car or on sofa - I wake him after 40 mins and ensure he is awake by 2pm latest.

I am thinking go for super early bedtime of 5.30 as his normal bed time is 7. I am guessing I can not do this on a day he has napped though?

OR I could go for a monster nap in day then keep his bed time the same?

Last night I really felt sorry for him - to stop him keep coming in our room I sat on the floor in his and he was simply tossing and turning - really trying to get to sleep but just couldnt. I felt like if I patted him or hugged him I may have helped but stopped myself doing it as I did not think it was right.

I would like advise please of naps and what to do, bedtimes and what to do and during the night what to do! I know I am asking loads but I am a zombie. He is such a good boy bless him...

Luckily my mum took kids out this afternoon and I caught up on sleep

Jo x

[<Catherine>]

Does he ever not nap?

[angeljo]

Hi Catherine, thanks so much...

When I stopped his naps in May OT came upon us. Since I defeted OT we were in a routine of napping for 3 days and not for 3 days.
Then 6 nights ago he started playing up whilst going to bed and then coming in our room during the night, just standing there - it was history repeating.

[<Catherine>]

Sorry for my very short post earlier, was in a rush 

Do you think he's OT or UT now?

So he's been napping for 3 days then not napping for 3 days - still now, or what's happening now?

AtBT is he messing about happy and wanting to play? Or upset and frustrated, unable to settle?

[angeljo]

Hi Catherine,

I think he is OT.

The past 6 days with the NW he has napped only 20 -30 mins each day.

Prior to that his sleep was also low as a result of summer holidays I guess. I feel like it's crept up on us...

At BT he just comes out saying he wants cream on his back or itchy bum! You know the kind of things.

At night time it's different - he looks like he is genuinely struggling to sleep, tossing and turning, yawning, turning more. Just can't get comfy.

I also noticed today when we were on a long car journey and I was all prepared for a monster nap of 1.5hrs - he did not fall asleep until the last20 mins of the journey!! He just can't seem to get into the zone.

He schedule today was

1.15am - 3.30 awake in bed
7.30am woke up
11.20 nap for 20 mins
6.30 fell asleep in car, transferred to bed.

What do you think?! I am so in need of advise. Thanks Catherine x

[angeljo]

Hello last night he woke at 4.45am and struggled to sleep till 6am (I was in his room but not interacting) he then slept till 7.30am.

Should I let him nap today or put him for super early bedtime?

A tired mum!! x

[<Catherine>]

I *think* that even though he's tired, he's waking later due to the NWings so is perhaps not having anough A time before the nap, have you tried napping him any later? With a 7.30 WU I doubt he'd be ready for a nap until gone 12, maybe 12.30?

I think I'd try that before skipping the nap, as he's so OT I think it'll only build by BT if he hasnt napped.

[angeljo]

ok I will go for that... thanks. Let you know!!

[angeljo]

oh - how long for? and then what BT?

[<Catherine>]

What was his 'normal' nap length before the short naps started?

[angeljo]

His normal naps were between 20 - 40 mins.

in the meantime, I was hoping he would fall asleep in the car on the way back from the park but he didn't! I drove around for 30 mins then gave in to give sandwich and will try again before the afternoon playdate.

IF he does not sleep shall I do an early bedtime?

[skatty]

Do you think something is hurting? My first thought was could he have fluid in his ears because my dd has had this on and off throughout her life and the wakings tend to be in the early hours of the morning and the doc said this is because the pressure continues to build and by then it is pretty uncomfortable. I could be totally off base but it is something to consider 

[<Catherine>]

Ugh I remember all that driving around for a nap, still do it now sometimes.

Yes, definitely an early BT if he doesnt nap.

Katt makes a good point - do you think anything else could be going on?

[angeljo]

He is asleep in car now, I will give him 20 mins? Then go for 7pm BT ?

Why don't they come with manuals!!!

[<Catherine>]

If he's been having 20-30 min naps and has become OT I think I'd let him have longer tbh.