3 yr old daugher WILL NOT sleep at night, or take a nap....?

She refuses to go to bed, and cries all night if we leave her in her room, but has tonz of energy all night and stays up the entire night! She won't go to sleep until it starts to get light outside.
She won't nap during the day, either, and seems really scared of the dark, of seeing things, and strange noises. What could it be? What do we do?

Answers:
a 3 year old cannot survive without sleep for very long (neither can an adult)

what you describe sounds so extreme that I wonder whether you could not be giving her some drug, without realising.

I'm talking about, for example: caffeine (Coca Cola contains tons of it, ice tea also).

My kids don't drink either, and the couple times they've had some (say, at a b-day party) they couldn't sleep all night.

If she's on a heavy Coke or Ice tea diet, try water for a while. Not only is it better on the caffeine front, but it also is better for her teeth, to prevent obesity, you name it. And by the way it is also cheaper, and greener.

If she's not on caffeine, then maybe you're giving her a lot of sugar-rich food close to her bedtime? That would cause a sugar rush (assuming you really give a LOT of sugar) and could cause excitement.

Also, don't forget that you're the boss. If you let her stay up all night, and then sleep through the day, you're never going to get anywhere.

Finally, have you tried a night lights? My kids have had times when they were afraid of the dark, and even though they never behaved as extremely as your kid seems to, they were much helped by a night light. Just be careful, if the night light is too strong, this can be bad for the eyes (cause myopia).

Hope this helps

I would suggest having her sleep in your room. Children are aware and frightened of the dark and being alone and parents need to be aware of this. Your protection will work wonders, GUARANTEED, 100 PER CENT. It is vitally important to your daughter's well-being that you do this.

If possible, have her sleep in the bed between you and your husband. There is no better remedy in the world.

Very bad answers by reaper and tariq.

she needs to be more active!!! She may have too much time on her hands.. If this persists contact a doc asap. THis is an important part of her life, and sleep is very important.

Have her sleep with you TEMPORALLY

Why don't you sleep in her room for a day or two

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3 yr old daugher WILL NOT sleep at night, or take a nap....?

Pregnancy & Parenting