10 answers

4 1/2 Year Old Won't Sleep Thru the Night!

Hi Ladies!
Please help me!! Our 4 1/2 year old daughter will not sleep thru the night anymore. It has been about a month. She also started to have "accidents". I don't know if the two are related but probably...her accidents happen in the bathroom, she gets in there but not soon enough to get on the toilet. Not sure if this is a physical thing because the wake ups seem to be for going potty too. Then after she is awake she doesn't want to go back to sleep especially in her own bed.
We did do a family bed from when she was an infant til around her 2nd birthday. From 2-3 she would wake up and come in our bed thru most nights. At 4 she started to sleep all night in her own bed. She goes to her Grandmoms house and spends the night/weekends without incident. Though I have found out Grandma lets her stay up much later and fall asleep in the living room to be carried to bed...
We have had a very stressful 2 1/2 years, lost my Mom to cancer 1 1/2 yrs ago and she was there for all of that. My younger sister is living with us now, she has Downs Syndrome. My oldest daughter had a baby in June and I have started to watch her 2 days a week so she could go back to work. I am guessing all of this has to contribute to these changes but I don't know what to do to get her back on track.
We did not sign up for Vpk because I didn't want her to feel like I was replacing her with my Granddaughter and now with the accidents I am afraid to sign her up because I don't want her to be teased if she has one at school.
We stop drinks 1 1/2 hour before bedtime. She goes potty then and at bedtime.
Any advice would be greatly apreciated.
Sincerely,
J.
a very tired Mom and Grandmom!

What can I do next?

Featured Answers

My daughter, at 4, would have accidents and night wakeing when her asthma acted up. Her asthma is mild and for the longest time I didn't know the night coughing was asthma. Anyhow, with treatment on asthma flare ups she's fine.

1 mom found this helpful

More Answers

Hi, and may strength and peace be with you!

Try homeopathy, Cina 6c. It's available at Whole Foods, Chamberlains, Wild Oats and most health food stores.

It has heped our sons finally stop having accidents like your daughter. They tooo would wake in the night and not get there in time and be restless for hours before finally sleeping.

God Bless you in all you do! You are an amazing mom and grandmother!!! We all have our hill and valley moments! Your next high point is right on the horizon!

1 mom found this helpful

My daughter, at 4, would have accidents and night wakeing when her asthma acted up. Her asthma is mild and for the longest time I didn't know the night coughing was asthma. Anyhow, with treatment on asthma flare ups she's fine.

1 mom found this helpful

im going to be completely blunt and opinionated...hope u dont mind!i think ur daughter is lacking in the attention department...shes not getting enough constructive attention so in turn shes seeking it during the night from u.ive had this problem with my 4 1/2 year old...shes my sensitive child out of 4 children and she had episodes of crying in the middle of the night and would refuse to go back to her bed.it happened when her younger brother was born and a couple times since then, the most recent being a couple months ago and when i reflect of what happened during the day when these episodes occur...i always come up with the same conclusion...shes feeling attention starved.ur daughter also needs to be in vpk...she needs to have an outlet of her own...preschool teaches them so much more than abc's and 123's and if her world already seems to be changing then y not give her a chance to experience a good change like joining pre-k!i have my daughter (the sensitive one)in pre-k ...by the way shes the only one of my kids that ever went and to see the change in her is indescribable...shes blossomed in2 a self assured little sweetie and its awesome 2 c!it doesnt matter if she "MIGHT " HAVE AN ACCIDENT...shes a baby/...it happens...warn the teacher...pre-k teachers are understanding of this problem!i think u will see results within a week or 2 if u take her to vpk!ok enough of me...great luck to u and ur family!

1 mom found this helpful

Hi J.~

I'm sorry I don't have any advice to give you. I just wanted you to know that I'm sorry you're having such challenges in your life. I pray that God will bring you relief.

Blessings,

G.

1 mom found this helpful

Hi J.,

I agree with you, it does sound like it could be related to the changes in her life. Having a new baby there along with a special needs aunt is two big changes, all in-house. I don't know that I'd send her away to VPK during the day when she's having trouble like this either. But I would try to carve out special time with her every day, maybe out of the house to start with, just to "get away".

I would wait out the sleep/potty issues. It's probably a regression that will resolve itself if you stand back and just observe it, be there for her but don't make it a big deal. Best of luck!

1 mom found this helpful

Johna:

I definitely believe the changes in your life has lot to do with your daugther's issues. And feel you guys went to a lot in the last 2 years. It is too much stress for a 4 1/2 years old and some kids respond different. Too much for her and you to handle alone. You need to talk to your pediatrician or a specialist in order for them to help you. You will see that as soon as she gets professional help, everything will be better. Have faith ! Please don't do it alone, we sometimes feel that we need to be "super MOMS" but asking for help is the smartest thing to do. Believe me I went through a lot in my life.
GOD BLESS YOU ! All the best to you and family
Grace
Mother of a 4 year old girl

1 mom found this helpful

She might like the VPK to do her own thing. Perhaps set up some time early in the morning to cuddle with her, give her a sticker on a chart for staying in her bed all night. I might ignore the bathroom thing and just encourage her to keep trying. She probably won't have an accident in public while she is awake. Many VPK's don't nap but they usually deal with accidents with dignity.

You might check to see if she has a bladder infection or kidney infection that is waking her up to use the restroom. This would cause the urgency to have to go and the unability to make it. You can buy the test strips at Walgreens. I also would assume that the two things are related.

Good luck!
SAM

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