I'm so fucking sleep deprived I think I've lost the plot

Never slept through the night that should say....I'm so exhausted I want to jump off the roof

Magnesium is way more helpful & safer for kids to take than melatonin! Perhaps something to look into & see if it’s any easy to get your hands on

Red cherry tart juice and bananas helps my son when he gets into his hyperactive mode

What's the timings for waking, naps and bed?

Also it is completely normal to wake in the night until age 4 (minimum)

Honestly, I know this is so cliché and I don't know about you but I get tired of hearing this statement but it is true unfortunately. Each child is different so there is no telling when it will get better. Could be sometime after he turns 3, might not be until he's 4, might be even longer. Hang in there. ❤️ I have two daughters who are 10 months apart in age and currently 2 years old and 3 years old so I know it's so hard.

I'd say bedtime is too late for what time he wakes. The early wakes are usually cos they are overtired by bedtime.

If waking at 5 I'd be trying bedtime no later than 6pm.

Red food coloring can cause these symptoms just fyi. Hopefully it’s only a phase and it gets better for you!

Is he in nursery? Does he not nap there either? Dammmmnn. I don’t know how you’ve coped as far as u have.. does he need your attention when he wakes? I’m guessing so. I tell mine it’s dark, so u have to sleep. Everyone is sleeping , toys ppl, the sun etc. he kind of gets it. But your case sounds intense

How long did you try it for? It needs a good few days to a week to see changes.

Also could try add in a nap to ease some of the overtiredness.

Could you see if health visitors have any suggestions?

We’re the same.My sons 2.5 and had never slept through the night. It’s awful! we also believe our son may have ADHD. His dad does though and he’s showing similar signs !

Our sons also the exact same schedule. Wakes at 5-6am, refuses to nap all day and still won’t go down at night. We’ve tried everything too!!!

It sounds based on the sleep pattern you mentioned in the comments like he's overtired tbh. Overtiredness is so weird because it manifests in kids as hyperactivity. Their bodies and brains start to actually fight sleep more.

Do you try to keep a consistent routine and schedule? Are you firm about the fact that bedtime is bedtime and not play time? If you let him get you up every 15 minutes and jump to his every want, he's going to learn very quickly that method works. Keep bedtimes firm and consistent. He will probably cry and complain (a lot in the first few days), but it is much better for him in the long run.

If he's not napping and waking constantly during the night, he's not getting the proper, deep sleep he needs for emotional and physical regulation. Deep sleep requires more than just a 15 minute cycle. If you stop jumping for him every 15 minutes (honestly; he doesn't need a glass of water or a snack every single hour of the night), you may find you have a completely different child.

Have you tried co sleeping? It was the only way we and my son got sleep.

Neurodivergent sleep is very different-as you’ve already found out a lot of the common things don’t work and professionals misunderstand our exhaustion as “normal for mums”. Yes, the normal mum life is tiring, but this is something else. With my first I was lucky and his sleep improved suddenly at age 2 and 1 week. Only when he was 2 and 3 weeks I had his brother 😅🫠

I found the only thing that helps is exercise during the day. My son doesn’t need to play in the playground for 1 hour. No on the days without nursery we are outside 5-8 hrs per day: cycling, swimming, walking, scooter, karate class. On nursery days we still go to the playground 4-5:30pm.

If we don’t get the activity right he doesn’t sleep well. Also he needs to eat a reasonable amount of dinner (easier said than done)

We never spend time at home other than for getting ready in the morning and dinner, bath and bed. We usually cannot play at home with toys or read as many books as I would like (cannot sit still).

My child is 12 and has a sleep disorder along with ADHD, and she still doesn’t sleep or struggles with sleep most nights. We do a range of Melatonin extended release pills and patches.

I echo what Rebecca said. Lots of outdoor time, especially in the morning. And then look up sensory seeker... And heavy work and try to incorporate that. Like others have mentioned, it sounds like dysregulation to me (not necessarily ADHD). Instead of quiet calm down bedtime routines, sensory seekers really need jump around, high movement before bed.

Does he nap in the day ?? Does he go to pre school? It sounds like he needs some energy burning off- my lg is 2 & she’s a nightmare lately for sleeping, when she doesn’t nap in the day she’s falling asleep by 5 so she goes to bed around 6 but then shes buzzing and wide awake 1/2 she doesn’t go back sleep then till early hours then we have to get up early so 😴 but if she does nap she’s then not tired till like 9 it’s catch 22. Our 5 year old sleeps through but doesn’t go sleep till late I don’t think you can get that though not for a 2 year old