Child Doesn't Sleep Enough

Dear Parent,

It sounds like your daughter has such a wonderful life that she does not need much sleep. It is possible that the common notion about children’s need for sleep is based on children who are often stressed out by sleeping alone, being controlled, and whose needs are not adequately met.

Make sure that your daughter’s diet does not include sugar, too much fruit (specially at bed time) and gluten. If you are breastfeeding her, avoid these foods and any stimulants in your diet.

Go to bed a bit earlier than you want to after feeding your daughter. If both you and your husband are in bed, your child is likely to join you. She may do all her “errands,” and you may get up and assist her. But, she is likely to want to be with you. Once in bed, you cannot force her to fall asleep, but cuddle and turn the light off.

Some parents make bedtime gentle and calming while the child may need to run around and release excess energy. Make sure you child can choose to jump on the bed, climb on dad or run around the house just before she comes to bed.

If you need more sleep than your child does, you may want to get someone to play with her during the day and take a nap. Life is more peaceful when instead of thinking how to make the child fit our needs or perceptions, we respond to the way she is.

Warmly, Naomi Aldort, http://authenticparent.com/