Wired at Bedtime? When All the Sleep "Rules" Don't Apply

The bedtime routine is supposed to be a calm lead-up to sleep. But for some parents, it's a nightly struggle with a child who's inexplicably wired, even after trying all the usual sleep advice – emotional co-regulation, calming predictable routines, schedule aligned with their unique sleep needs. As a holistic and gentle sleep coach, I often guide families in establishing these crucial elements. However, what if the answer lies beyond the typical holistic sleep tips?

Sometimes, persistent bedtime restlessness stems from underlying physical tension – perhaps from birth, growth spurts, or just the everyday bumps and activity of childhood. Just as mental or emotional overstimulation can interfere with sleep, physical discomfort can create a similar barrier. As my mentor, Dr. Lyndsey Hookway, always says, “we can’t fall asleep with the foot on the gas pedal”.

The Gas Pedal (Sympathetic Nervous System): Their "go" button for energy and activity.

The Brake Pedal (Parasympathetic Nervous System): Their "slow down" button is needed for rest and sleep.

Have you heard of pediatric chiropractic care? Gentle adjustments can help calm your child’s nervous system, guiding their body and mind from a state of high alert into one of ease and relaxation. Think of it like easing off the gas pedal and gently pressing the brake — helping your child shift into a calmer, more restful state where sleep and healing can happen more naturally.

Introducing Dr. Lindsay Grieve: A Partner in Gentle Chiropractic Care

I’m thrilled to be collaborating with my wonderful colleague, Dr. Lindsay Grieve — a family chiropractor with a special focus on pediatrics. Dr. Lindsay deeply understands the powerful connection between physical comfort and quality sleep. Her gentle, targeted approach often addresses an overlooked component of sleep challenges that goes beyond the emotional nervous system: the physical nervous system.

How Gentle Chiropractic Supports Sleep:

Dr. Lindsay explains that gentle chiropractic care helps reset the nervous system — the body’s internal command center. She compares it to straightening a wrinkled bedsheet: even small creases can affect comfort. Gentle adjustments smooth out those “wrinkles,” allowing the body to fully relax.

Another way to think about it: your child’s nervous system is like a tightly wound spring after a long day of stimulation, activity, and stress. Chiropractic adjustments gently release that tension, allowing the body to unwind naturally — making it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep.

Ready to support your child’s sleep with gentle, chiropractic care?
If your child has trouble settling down at night or staying asleep, gentle chiropractic care may offer the physical support their nervous system needs to truly rest. It’s a safe, non-invasive way to help their body find calm — and the benefits often extend far beyond bedtime.

Ready to transform your child's sleep struggles with gentle, physical support?

Book a chiropractic assessment with Dr. Lindsay: https://thrivehealth.janeapp.com/#/staff_member/8

Email her at: dr.grieve@gmail.com 

Visit her website: www.drlindsaygrieve.com

Follow her for chiro tips on Instagram @drlindsaygrieve
Follow me for sleep tips on Instagram @thegoodsleep_coach