Posted by Jean on March 24, 2008 at 08:07:18:My 8 year old daughter has never been the easiest sleeper, but lately she has tremendous anxiety about not being able to fall asleep -- and so of course can't fall asleep. As it gets later, she gets increasingly panicked and unable to sleep. She will almost instantly fall asleep if we let her sleep in our room, but I feel like that's a step backward, and I want to somehow help her feel comfortable in her bed and her room. Her younger brother, who sleeps next door, falls asleep very quickly, which I think adds to her anxiety that she is still awake while he's asleep. I've let her read in bed, thinking that may relax her, but it doesn't work at all. I feel terrible for her, and it's also taking a toll on our family. My pediatrician suggested giving her benadryl for a couple of nights just to break the cyle of anxiety, but I don't want her to become dependant on benadryl to sleep! She's otherwise a pretty happy, active kid. Any ideas?
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