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Melatonin in young children



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miami85




 
 
    
 

Post Tue, Oct 01 2013, 8:19 pm
It was recommended to try some melatonin to help my 2.75 year old settle down to sleep since he can be an Energizer bunny ( just keeps going and going and going etc.) and especially over yom tov kept rather crazy hours and I want him to get to bed earlier. I dissolved about a 1/4 tablet into his milk before bed and have seen good results. Tonight I couldn't find my supply that someone gave me to try and he would NOT settle down. We've been trying to get him to bed for the past 2.5 hours, and he's been screaming a good part of the time. We don't want his body to get too "used" to the artificial melatonin, but how to get him to settle down with out it? I've tried baths, stories, dimming the lights, ignoring him, sitting with him, not sitting with him, earlier bedtime, later bedtime.
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Sparkle




 
 
    
 

Post Tue, Oct 01 2013, 8:27 pm
I have concerns with melatonin as well. We are successfully using essential oils for a number of things - one of them being sleep for my ASD/ADHD son. You may have to try a few to find one that works best for your child's individual body chemistry, but common ones that help are lavender, chamomile, and vetiver. A company called Young Living makes some wonderful oils blends that help sleep - specifically Peace and Calming and Rutavala (but warning - this one does not smell good! but is effective).
Good luck!
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FranticFrummie




 
 
    
 

Post Tue, Oct 01 2013, 10:52 pm
My DD's pediatrician is a specialist in genetics, and she approved us for 3-5mg per night, indefinitely. She says that the long term studies that said that it was "dangerous" are outdated, and all the newer studies show that it is not a problem. This is from one of the biggest children's hospitals in the country, so I trust that their research is up to date.

Many kids, most often special needs kids, do not produce enough melatonin on their own, and need an extra boost to get them into sleep mode. You're not "drugging" your child, you're supplementing a vital hormone that is in low supply in their systems.

Before taking any other herbal supplements, make sure that you clear it with your doctor first!
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twinkltoes




 
 
    
 

Post Thu, Oct 03 2013, 6:38 am
As far as I know my son (4.5) is not special needs, he's just a VERY active little boy and has a super hard time relaxing enough on his own to go to sleep. Like the OP,
Quote:
I've tried baths, stories, dimming the lights, ignoring him, sitting with him, not sitting with him, earlier bedtime, later bedtime.
It's hours and hours of HARD work to get him to sleep.

Reluctant to try melatonin. Has anyone tried vallerian root? Pros? Cons?
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flowerpower




 
 
    
 

Post Thu, Oct 03 2013, 7:26 am
Maybe you can try something from the health food store? They may have some
natural stuff to offer.
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Ruchel




 
 
    
 

Post Thu, Oct 03 2013, 9:33 am
Melatonin here is only with a doc's note even for adults. It's hormone.
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FranticFrummie




 
 
    
 

Post Thu, Oct 03 2013, 9:38 am
Ruchel wrote:
Melatonin here is only with a doc's note even for adults. It's hormone.


That always confused me. Tylenol is far more dangerous, and no one thinks twice about it. In Canada you can buy Codeine over the counter. In England I had to fight with the pharmacy to give me Benadryl without a prescription when I was on vacation and didn't have a doctor. In the US you can get an abortion pill over the counter shock , but you need a prescription for birth control pills.
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