My feed
Premium

Please
or
to access all these features

Join our Sleep forum for tips on creating a sleep routine for your baby or toddler.

Sleep

4 yr old obssessive rituals and 2yr old early waking!

6 replies

noonar · 08/07/2006 10:36

I have two sleep issues that I'd be glad to get advice about:

  1. My 4 yr old daughter has obsessive bedtime rituals that are starting to worry me. She always likes me to sing a particular song before she nods off- fair enough. And she has to have a special collection of soft toys with her- again , no problem, but now she's starting to get into less normal rituals, like wanting certain items of furniture moved or objects removed and taken downstairs.These items could be anything from a picture in a frame, to a toy or a beaker of water- there seems to be no logic to it. She's obviously expressing anxiety about something. Does anyone else have similar experiences/ advice on how to nip this in the bud. I don't want her ending up with ocd! Should i be worried??

  2. My 2yr old daughter wakes a 5.15-5.30, has milk and refuses to go back to sleep, even though she's clearly not well rested. We've tried leaving her to cry but it doesnt work- it also means that her sister wakes up too and everyone is overtired. A later bedtime doesnt seem to help as she still wakes early and is then even more overtired .Help!
OP posts:
Report
Beauregard · 08/07/2006 11:38

Is your 2 yr old eating enough during the day?
Maybe she has tons of energy?
Maybe it is the light morning's -black out blind?
You could buy a clock that show's her when it is time to get up!
My dd1 used to have little rituals at bedtime ,for example the door had to be open so much ,drink had to be same place,and she would keep repeating the same things over and over !
We did have some sleep problems with her as well ,which started at 18 months ,she used to wake us sometimes 6 times a night and keep getting into bed.
We resolved it with a reward system in the end.
I wouldn't worry too much ,i think that they do have insecurities at this age ,i remember i did.
If you are still concerned could you speak to your hv?

Report
noonar · 08/07/2006 11:55

Thanks pelvic, hadnt thought about the food angle. She's actually still having an afternoon cup of milk ,which i think puts her off supper. maybe more supper=more sleep! The room is v.dark, so thats not the issue.

Also, hadnt thought about contacting hv at this stage. will do so if things dont get better. ta

OP posts:
Report
southeastastra · 08/07/2006 12:12

my four year old has alot of obsessive rituals too, not just a bedtime either, when one of us leaves we have to shake hands, cuddle and kiss then we can go. all the time!!

Report
noonar · 08/07/2006 12:22

That particular ritual seems a fairly logical one for a gretting or saying goodbye. Are there any more bizarre ones?? Jut trying to get a picture of what ohers are like!Also, do you always go along with the ritual? I try not to(eg i might try to explain why we dont need to put all her toys on her bottom shelf, rather than just going long with it!) as I think it reinforces its 'validity'. Not sure if this is the right approach, though.

OP posts:
Report
southeastastra · 08/07/2006 12:27

he has lots - one bizarre one is i have to tell his brother to turn the computer off, even though he hasn't had computer in his room for months.

Report
noonar · 09/07/2006 18:08

At what point do these behaviours qualify as 'ocd' though?

OP posts:
Report
Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.