Sleep ideas for 8 year old?

[Anonymous]

This is atypical. She usually goes to bed and falls asleep in 10-15 minutes.
She’s been trying to get to sleep for about 2 hours. We gave her 1mg of melatonin an hour ago, which we use rarely but when we do use it, she’s asleep within 20 minutes of taking it.

She claims nothing on her mind, her foot itches and she can’t get comfortable. We’ve tried the relaxing music and sleep meditations she sometimes likes at night. We’ve left her alone, lay with her, rubbed her back. She’s whimpering that she wants to go to sleep.

Any other ideas?

[Anonymous]

I know she fell asleep so hopefully it doesn't happen again. Was her room hot? She could have been overtired and struggled to turn off her brain.

[Anonymous]

We are usually pretty strict about bedtimes / sleep hygiene, but I'd let her try the following:

- Let her listen to an audio book until she falls asleep
- Let her fall sleep on the couch while you watch an adult show or sports (something that will be relatively boring to her).

[Anonymous]

After two hours she was overtired and ruminating and her brain couldn't stop fixating on NOT sleeping. Next time, let her read or listen to a podcast to distract her enough to relax. My 8 year old also likes an eye mask when she's having trouble settling.

You posted at 10:00pm last night. What time did she finally fall asleep?

[Anonymous]

Feet itching and trouble sleeping can indicate low ferritin. I’d get her iron AND ferritin levels tested and see if you need to give her iron supplements.