Why Is My Child Always Tired?
A gentle naturopathic approach to supporting energy in children
A mum sat in front of me recently, looking concerned but unsure how to put it into words. “He’s just... always tired,” she said softly. “He wakes up tired, complains of being tired after school, and by the weekend he’s wiped out. But he’s only seven.”
She’d been told his blood tests were “normal,” and that some kids are just more tired than others. But as his mother, she knew — something felt off. He was dragging himself through the day instead of thriving in it.
And she’s not alone.
So many parents tell me their child just seems flat. They’re not bouncing out of bed like they used to. They complain of being tired, overwhelmed, or just not having the spark they once had. And often, there’s no obvious cause — just a lingering question:
Why is my child always tired?
Could My Child’s Tiredness Be Something More?
Every child has days where they’re tired from a big week or a poor night’s sleep. But if your child is constantly complaining of fatigue, it may be worth gently exploring what their body might be asking for.
Signs to reflect on:
Waking tired, even after a full night’s sleep
Pale skin or dark circles under the eyes
Easily overwhelmed, tearful, or irritable
Poor concentration or daydreaming
Frequent colds or slow recovery after illness
Tummy aches, constipation, or “blah” digestion
Loss of interest in play or social interaction
Needing naps beyond toddlerhood
These signs are not something to panic over, but they are worth gently exploring.
Nutritional Foundations for Energy
One of the most common reasons I see for persistent tiredness in children is nutrient deficiency. Even kids with a "healthy diet" can have gaps, especially if they’re fussy eaters, have gut issues, or are recovering from illness.
Key nutrients I often look at:
Iron – essential for oxygen transport and energy
B12 and folate – support nervous system and red blood cell health
Vitamin D – helps regulate sleep and immunity
Zinc – involved in hundreds of enzymatic processes, including energy production
Magnesium – supports sleep, stress regulation, and muscle function
Protein – stabilises blood sugar and supports growth
Even small changes to breakfast and lunch can have a huge impact. I often suggest energy-stabilising meals like smoothies with nut butter, eggs on sourdough, or protein-rich snacks like hummus and veggie sticks.
Herbal Support for Energy & Resilience
When a child’s tiredness seems linked to frequent illness, stress, or poor recovery, I may turn to gentle herbs to nourish and restore the system.
Some favourite herbs include:
Nettle leaf – rich in iron and minerals
Lemon balm – supports digestion and a calm nervous system
Astragalus – supports immune recovery and energy
Chamomile – for the tired child who also feels anxious or unsettled
These herbs are always given in age-appropriate doses — usually in a tasty liquid blend, tea, or herbal gummies.
Emotional Load & the Nervous System
In many cases, fatigue isn’t just physical - it’s emotional.
Today’s kids carry a lot. School demands, sensory overload, big feelings they don’t know how to process. If your child is sensitive, intuitive, or often overwhelmed, their nervous system may be burning through energy just to keep up.
You might notice:
They seem “tired but wired”
They get emotional after school
They collapse into screen time or meltdowns by 4pm
Their sleep is light or restless
They’re slow to start in the morning
These aren’t behavioural issues,. They’re signs their nervous system might need more support and space to unwind.
Rhythms That Restore
Fatigue often improves when we shift a child’s daily rhythm. It’s not always about doing more but about creating space for rest, nourishment, and quiet moments in a full world.
Suggestions I often offer:
A protein-rich breakfast (not just toast or cereal)
A few minutes of fresh air before school
After-school snacks that fuel — not spike (think boiled eggs, bliss balls, veggie sticks with dip)
Screen-free unwind time in the afternoon
Magnesium baths or foot soaks
A consistent bedtime routine that’s calming, not rushed
A Story from the Clinic
One family I worked with had an 8-year-old girl, gentle and artistic, who had always been full of spark until recently. She was struggling to get out of bed, constantly saying she was tired, and couldn’t concentrate in class. Her mum was told everything was “fine,” but she knew something had shifted.
We started with food: tweaking her breakfasts, adding more iron and zinc rich snacks, and using a gentle herbal blend to support her nervous system and digestion. I also suggested a homeopathic remedy that matched her emotional state ( low confidence, dreamy, and easily overwhelmed).
A few weeks later, her mum sent me a message:
“She’s not bouncing out of bed just yet, but she’s smiling again. Her eyes are brighter.”
Healing doesn’t have to be fast to be meaningful.
A Gentle Word
If your child is always tired and you feel like you’re missing something — trust your instinct. You know their spark. You know when something isn’t quite right.
Fatigue is a message, not a diagnosis. It’s the body asking for more support, more nourishment, more space to rest.
You don’t need to push harder. You can support gently, holistically, and with care.
Ready to Support Your Child’s Energy?
If your child is struggling with fatigue, low immunity, or emotional overwhelm, I’d love to help. In a children’s naturopathy consultation, we’ll explore the full picture and create a plan that gently restores vitality from the inside out.
Book a Children’s Naturopathy Consultation
Let’s gently bring their spark back together.
With warmth and care,
Ayelet x
