Melatonin?

battybtags

Does anyone give this to their kids to help with sleeping?

C had a checkup today and I talked to the doc about A's sleeping-or lack of. Without napping, we put her to bed between 730-8 and most nights she's up until at least 9....last night was after 11!  Even if we're in there with her and she's lying down, shes very restless-its like she can't relax or get herself calm enough to even try to fall asleep. Her daycare said shes the only one in her age group not napping and they also said it takes her way longer than the other kids to settle down and get calm for naptime. So her doc suggested a low dose of melatonin before bed. I'm just curious if anyone has tried it-if it works, side effects, etc.

Telyco

I have heard it can be great but haven't used it. How does she eat? I have read about removing things like red dye and certain preservatives having a drastic affect on the restlessness of kids. ESP cutting out things like nutrigrain bars 

TinyPinkBug

Tyler takes it.  His developemental pediatrician who treats his autism recommended it.  I give him about 1.5 mg before bed.  It has had a dramatic effect of Tyler.  For the first time EVER, he actually looks forward to going to bed at night.  He just wasn't able to calm himself because his body doesn't produce enough naturally.  On the flip side, Brianna sometimes gets too wound up to fall asleep, especially if we are traveling.  I have tried to give it to her on a few occasions and it does NOTHING for her.  I have a friend whos son also had troubles calming himself for sleep but no Dx, she started giving it to him and it made a huge difference in her son as well, she gives her guy about 5 mg.

I would give it a try.  Try starting with 1mg.  Give it to her about 15-20 minutes before sleep time.  With Ty, we give it to him right before bath.  By the time he is done with bath, teeth brushed, and jammies on it is kicking in.  If we give it to him too soon, he gets mad and super crabby because he just wants to be to sleep ASAP.

It probably also wouldn't hurt to seek out an EI core eval for ADD and sensory issues.  It doesn't hurt and is free.  The only reason I say that is because kids with these type of disorders also usually have trouble sleeping and need the melatonin.  Just not a bad idea to rule it out.

jnk062602

Someone on here has definitely tried it with their kid. I can't remember who. Maybe Ty?  Melatonin was actually something I thought of when reading your fb status last night. It sounds like A gets drastically less sleep than she should for her age, and it's nothing that you guys are doing wrong (bedtime routine and you put her to bed at an appropriate time).

battybtags

Telyco:

I have heard it can be great but haven't used it. How does she eat? I have read about removing things like red dye and certain preservatives having a drastic affect on the restlessness of kids. ESP cutting out things like nutrigrain bars 

Shes a good eater...loves her fruits and veggies and rarely has junk food.  She would live off of yogurt (organic) if she could.  Not sure what stuff red dye is in, but I think shes a pretty healthy eater

Irisheyes1247

We've never used it for C but I would occasionally work an overnight back in my very newlywed days and could never sleep during the day so I would end up being awake for 2 days straight. I tried the melatonin once and it really worked. I would start sparingly and increase if needed, I personally took 1/2 whatever the dose was and I felt like I could have slept for days.

Mitzzi23

My nephew takes it. He was diagnosed with ADHD about two years ago but was still pretty wild at night, weird tantrums, etc even on his ADHD meds. My sister had heard about melatonin and tried it. She was amazed at how well it worked. He is great about taking it and has totally calmed down and will go to sleep on his own. I was watching him once, I gave it to him, he watched a show and then after about half an hour asked to go to bed. Since it is something our body naturally produces, you don't have to feel guilty about giving another medicine.