If she doesn't start sleeping through the night....

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bunnyrunn
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19 Feb 2013, 9:13 am

ConfusedNewb wrote:
Have you thought of making or buying her a weighted blanket? Since using ours my 5yo daughter has stopped thrashing about and bruising her legs, shouting out, messing about for an hour before falling asleep etc. It really soothes her and helps her stay still. Before that she would worry about how she couldnt get to sleep which made it worse.



I had not until you mentioned it.. I sew well. I have industrial sewing machines.. I can do that! I think I will make it out of super soft fabric and she loves to rub anything soft.

I have no idea how to " weight' it though.. I will search online for ideas.

Thank you!



bunnyrunn
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19 Feb 2013, 9:15 am

DW_a_mom wrote:
I used to just crawl into bed with my kids during those phases. They can't help what they can't help, they will eventually phase shift out of it, and you need your sleep. So, whatever works.

Some families here have done melatonin with some success. Go to the lowest dosage you can buy and then break that aprt to get to 1 mg.


I want to try melatonin but I'm afraid to administer... don't want anyone to think I'm doing something unsavory. Do I crush the pill and mix in with her sippy cup? Can I get suspension over the counter?



bunnyrunn
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19 Feb 2013, 9:20 am

Bombaloo wrote:
I would just note that some people are EXTREMELY sensitive to melatonin. We tried it with my son at a 1 mg sublingual dose. It got him to sleep for sure but seemed to leave him quite irritable the next day, which I found out afterward is a common side-effect. Not sure what's worse, lack of sleep or dealing with an extra grumpy autistic 5 yo. Also it did not seem to help him STAY asleep. He still woke in the middle of the night and crawled into our bed. I have given up on that front. I put him down in his bed and sit with him until he falls asleep and when he comes to our bed in the middle of the night I let him be as long as he lays down and goes back to sleep, which he does most of the time. If he's wiggly, I send him back to his bed.

There are lots of ideas for indoor exercise/sensory diet when you can't get outside:
Have her move heavy objects, like stacks of books or small weights or toys. You can even stack those items on a blanket and have her pull it across the floor or fill a pillowcase with toys/stuffed animals and have her pack it around the house. One of the best things we had when DS was smaller was a "magic-tunnel". It was about 3 yards of that stretchy tube knit fabric you can find at the fabric store. No sewing involved. The kid crawls in one end and out the other or she can crawl in and you can take a hold of both ends and swing her around.

Another sensory diet thing that seemed to help DS when he was younger (he is almost 7 now) is the Wilbarger Brushing protocol. Google it and you'll find several sites which describe it and some youtube videos. I found that giving DS as much sensory input and exercise as he needs helps calm him at night.


What an AWESOME idea!

And to everyone for whom I replied without thoroughly ready.. I apologize. Many answers to my questions are contained in the posts. Reading is fundamental after all! : :roll:


These are fabulous ideas.. I truly appreciate the suggestions and help.



momsparky
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19 Feb 2013, 9:32 am

bunnyrunn wrote:
ConfusedNewb wrote:
Have you thought of making or buying her a weighted blanket? Since using ours my 5yo daughter has stopped thrashing about and bruising her legs, shouting out, messing about for an hour before falling asleep etc. It really soothes her and helps her stay still. Before that she would worry about how she couldnt get to sleep which made it worse.



I had not until you mentioned it.. I sew well. I have industrial sewing machines.. I can do that! I think I will make it out of super soft fabric and she loves to rub anything soft.

I have no idea how to " weight' it though.. I will search online for ideas.

Thank you!


One of our members did it this way: http://chaoticidealism.livejournal.com/73762.html and here is her experience with it: http://chaoticidealism.livejournal.com/111342.html

Most of the online tutorials suggest using gravel - we've got a gravel weighted lap pad, and I have to say I find it annoying. It's vinyl, so easy to clean, but I wouldn't want that in a blanket. I wonder if you can make one just like hers, but using river rocks that are the same size as the glass rocks she used - you should be able to find those in aquarium stores, or home improvement stores; it might make it easier to wash. (or any kind of smooth rocks, like the polished ones you buy in "rock hound" shops)



ConfusedNewb
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19 Feb 2013, 1:43 pm

I looked at an online shop that sold them to see what weight they recommend for what age. Its hard to tell without seeing and feeling them for real. You could see if anyone you know has one, or if you could borrow one from somewhere that, I saw on a previous post in this section about weighted blankets that some one knew of a library system, you can borrow them for short periods etc. I dont know of anything here in the UK but its worth googling :)

I took a photo of my daughter with it over her for the first time, its like a different child. Every photo of her is Stim-tastic, she stims for the camera lol. In this pic she had such a beautiful serene look I almost didnt recognise her! It worked instantly. She actually lay on the sofa long enough to watch a film, somethign she never does!



momsparky
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19 Feb 2013, 4:09 pm

Lekotek is the special needs library system. http://www.lekotek.org/



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20 Feb 2013, 12:06 pm

I've had this problem with all my kids. Come to think of it, neither DH nor I generally sleep through the night without getting up at least once or twice.

DS5 used to have hideous night terrors. We finally gave up and did the family bed thing-- he still woke up, but would at least remain calm and let us get some sleep. Same with DD3. I actually have both of them sleeping in the same bed now-- it helps some. I spend about 3 nights out of 5 in bed with them. Much to DH's annoyance, but this too shall pass.

Minimal pajamas and a fan have been real life-savers for us. They seem to sleep best in their underpants, piled under a couple comforters or half a dozen quilts, in a cold room, with the fan pointed right at their little heads. Everyone in our house has their own fan, plus back-ups.


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