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Vasalisa
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| Posted: Sept 03 2011 at 8:24am | IP Logged
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Does anyone else here have a healthy child who just doesn't sleep much?
I remember right after my daughter was born, during the three days we spent in the hospital, she slept. I remember gazing at her fondly as she lay in the little crib, wishing she would wake up so I could play with her. Be careful what you wish for ...
From the night I took her home to the present, when she is just two months shy of her fourth birthday, sleep has been elusive. For the first two years of her life, she would not sleep anywhere except in my arms. She'd fall asleep on my lap, I'd try to lay her down in bed, she'd wake up. We'd lie down on the bed together, she'd fall asleep, then wake when I stood up. I'd put her down when sleepy to see if she'd drop off on her own, and she was bolt upright, wide awake and screaming. Unlike the other babies, she never slept at Mass, either. I took her to her first Mass when she was four weeks old, and the whole time she looked around and "talked".
Matters improved after two, but not much. I could get her to sleep by herself, but I had to stay with her while she dropped off, a process that on bad nights could take hours. When we moved to a house and she had her own room, things got better. She has slept by herself and gone to sleep on her own for a year now. But lately when I put her to bed for her nap, she sleeps maybe half the time, and the other half of the time just sits in her room and plays. For the past four days, she hasn't taken a nap at all, although I made her try. I understand she is at the age that some children outgrow naps, but she's not sleeping very long at night, either -- I put her to bed usually between 8 and 8:30, but she lies in bed and sings and tells herself stories before dropping to sleep at about 10. Then she's usually up at 6:30 in the morning. I can't believe that is enough sleep for such a little girl.
She doesn't seem to be having trouble with sleep because of physical discomfort; she just doesn't want to do it.
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SeaStar
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| Posted: Sept 03 2011 at 8:39am | IP Logged
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My ds is very similar. He only slept if held and never napped at all after two. He is 8 now, and still not a good sleeper- usually up at least once in the night to use the bathroom, occasionally sleepwalks, etc.
He is up with the sun and has trouble dropping off to sleep some nights...despite being go-go-go all day. He gets plenty of exercise and has plenty of energy. He is healthy and bright. He just doesn't need a lot of sleep.
I know this is hard. Everyone else I know seems to have kids that fall asleep at Mass or in the car or sleep late in the mornings... not here 
I have found that the worst thing I can do is compare my ds to other children. God made him just the way he is, and I am not doing anything wrong (and have not in the past as far as sleeping). It's just how he is- he doesn't need much sleep.
The best thing I can do is provide a consistent bedtime and routine for him to maximize his sleeping. And I can enjoy all the sunrises I've seen with him....
It's funny- I always thought I would be one of those moms who put her kids down for naps, had quiet time, etc. My ds never slept a night in his crib. It all turned out so differently. Good, very good- just different than my original plan. But God's plan is better. God needed another soul in the world who can get by on little sleep. I'm not sure what God has in store for my ds in the future, but I have a feeling that will be a part of it.
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
SQUILT Music Appreciation
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guitarnan
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| Posted: Sept 03 2011 at 8:40am | IP Logged
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My dd gave up naps at age 2.
If she's only been in this pattern for a few days, I think things will resolve themselves. She may be giving up naps and her body clock might not have caught up with that change.
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Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.
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Spawnsmom
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| Posted: Sept 03 2011 at 11:06am | IP Logged
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My son was the same way. From birth, he has not required much sleep. As a newborn, he slept about 8 hours a day in total. He didn't sleep through the night until he was 7- years, not months!
He's now 22. He still does not require much sleep. He graduated from high school and college with honors. He's now working for a major insurance company. And guess what - he still doesn't sleep much.
As long as they are not in pain, eat well, are growing, I wouldn't worry about it.
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: Sept 03 2011 at 11:29am | IP Logged
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Giving up naps stage can be difficult with adjusting the sleep times. Mine also give up naps usually by age 2. And I generally encourage them to because otherwise the amount of time they nap it taken off the amount of time they sleep at night and I need that nighttime sleep.
You didn't say how long she was typically napping. But she's sleeping 8.5 hours at night.. so if once she adjusts to not napping.. she may start sleeping longer at night at least by a bit.
But yes there are simply some people, even as children that need way less sleep than the norm.
So it sounds like for that you're doing fine in teaching her to stay in her room and quietly entertain herself while not being asleep and that's fine.
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Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
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4Real Forums : Mothering and Family Life
Topic: Kids Who Don't Like to Sleep
