24 August 2009

The Princess and the elusive Pea
Lately, we have been experiencing some technical difficulties in the slumber department. Snowflower #1 has been fighting sleep like she's Mike Tyson on speed! The kid is EXHAUSTED but never lets the zzzz's win. We know this is part of the issue with children who have some form of PTSD. We've noticed a massive improvement in self regulation when it comes to managing tantrums(BRAVA!) but the side effect is insomnia. I am open to suggestions in any form. She has an excellent diet, lots of exercise etc etc...it's just that her body produces the 'flight or fight' hormones en masse. This is also having an effect on her focus and concentration...which is concerning since school starts in a few weeks. We're going to talk to the big guns and see what pearls of wisdom they have to offer...until then...well...we'll keep looking for that pesky pea that keeps her awake!

8 comments:

A Beautiful Mess said...

We have struggled with the same issues and I have found that "calms Forte for kids" has been a life saver. It is a homeopathic sleep aid. I have found it to help Sophie to quite her brain so she can fall asleep. It isn't a sleeping pill. We went from taking an hour or more for sophie to surrender to sleep to 15 minutes. I don't use it every night just when we hit a wicked sleep pattern.

Good luck!

DiJo said...

Hayley,
UGH is all I can say. You know we have struggled in this dept. with Her Rubiness for 2 years now. I am one dark circled Mama! I will be praying you find the Pea SOON!!!!

Hugs,
Diana

Debra said...

oh no....Keeva always faught sleep. Some nights she is still awake when we are going to bed!! Maybe school at the beginning will be enough to tire her for a while. Love the picture...can you send me the info on the course....8 weeks and my photos are still crappy:(

Snowflowers Mum said...

aah yes, we have tried calms forte, it works for everyone in this house except for Piper. I love homeopathic meds...we love hylands for everything, but nothing touches this little girl

Amy said...

Try melatonin, Hope used it successfully with Thomas. The ped even recommended it. You'll just have to find out the dosage for her weight.

mumma to many said...

Hi Hayley
Have you tried rescue remedy it is from Bach flowers they also have a sleep one. However we used to spray the bedroom with lavender oil and give Aiden the special sleep mixture! Sugar syrup, water, food colouring and a touch of something bitter. He thought it was the real deal and would go to sleep and ask for it for a while. Then only when needed! Mind over matter!
Hope you find the sleep thing works the other thing is say it is bedtime and unless vomit or blood is involved no getting out of bed you can read and then time for sleep!
Hugs Ruth in NZ

kitchu said...

i wish i knew how to help and hope you find the balance soon. one day i'll probably be phoning you for suggestions :)

Patricia said...

We are struggling with the same thing with Kiara...it astounds me how they can fight off sleep...keep us posted on this & thanks for sharing...

With us it's been going on for the past month...my guess is the lead-up to Kindergarten, but it is a beastly issue to deal with...impacts everything else in the day.

Hoping you all get some consistent ZZZs soon!!