Kids taking sleeping pills

[Blondie]

What do you think?

Are we reaching too fast for the prescription bottle?

 

[drayke]

Sleeping pills are addictive, physiologically and psychologically. As a society we tend to seek redress in chemicals rather readily, legal and not legal. There may be other solutions however they may take more effort.

 

[Blondie]

Well, I know that when my boys were much younger, it was often a struggle to get them to bed at 8pm every night. But with a little patience, we didn't have to resort to medication.

 

[ChrisnSteph]

It depends on the situation, the individual child, and any medical and psychiatric issues. Every situation is different.

 

[Serena]

I might have gotten more sleep if I had resorted to something like that. But it seems wrong to me.

Of course, every situation is different.

 

[ellyn2000]

I would use that only as a very last resort.

 

[sha_lyn]

I can't get the video to play (dial up connection) but I was horrified last night when during casual conversation I found out a 10 boy
I know is on blood pressure meds to slow his heart down to knock him out at night. It is to counter act the "speed" effect from his ADD meds he takes 2x a day.

 

[Tuffcookie]

Hi Blondie!
Well, my DS, age 14, takes Melatonin every night to help him sleep. He has Asperger's Snydrome and suffers from anxiety at bedtime, so it really helps.

A parent has to do what a parent has to do.

TC

 

[graygables]

Hi Blondie!
Well, my DS, age 14, takes Melatonin every night to help him sleep. He has Asperger's Snydrome and suffers from anxiety at bedtime, so it really helps.

A parent has to do what a parent has to do.

TC

My 9yo DD has Asperger's (takes melatonin) and my 7yo DD w/ADHD is up, even as we speak DESPITE having taken melatonin (no other meds). *I'm* ready to reach for the dramamine...

 

[Mermaid02]

Depends on the circumstances.

As far as it being only "nowadays", Years ago dr's prescribed something called perigoric (sp?) to put infants to sleep. They don't do that anymore.

 

[dcentity2000]

We do reach for the drugs too readily IMO, especially anti-depressants and hypnotics.



Rich::

 

[Blondie]

Isn't Melatonin OTC?

I think the video was singling out prescription medication, and ones that weren't FDA approved in children.

 

[2sweetangels]

Personally I can't see myself drugging my children just so I could get rest, seems selffish on my part. I figure I made the choice to have my kids so I will deal with what they throw at me. Just my opinoin.

 

[golfgal]

If my kids were suffering because they couldn't sleep, then I would probably give them something. I guess you need to figure out if the lack of sleep or the sleeping pills is doing them more harm (my guess the lack of sleep is more dangerous to their health). My kids all fall asleep about 5 seconds after their head hits the pillow so I don't have that problem. It takes me quite a while to fall asleep and it always has, but I know that by reading a book before bed helps. I have never taking a sleeping aid.

 

[pozey]

Like others have said, each situation is different.

Luckily, my kids are used to their particular routine. And that routine involves a bath at 8:00 p.m., in bed at 9:00 p.m., awake the next morning at 6:15 a.m.

On weekends, they get to stay up as late as they want. But due to their weekday sleeping habits, they usually don't make it any later than 10:30 p.m.

I think the only time they stay up "really" late - midnight or so - is when we go on vacation.

 

[lulugirl]

It depends on the situation, the individual child, and any medical and psychiatric issues. Every situation is different.

I agree!
I wasn't able to access the link, I'm assuming nobody is advocating giving sleeping pills to every child who just doesn't feel like going to bed?

 

[Blondie]

Hi Blondie!
Well, my DS, age 14, takes Melatonin every night to help him sleep. He has Asperger's Snydrome and suffers from anxiety at bedtime, so it really helps.

A parent has to do what a parent has to do.

TC

Hey TC, sorry I thought I already responded, but it's not there. How are you?

I agree that every situation is different. Heck, I've always had sleep problems, since I can remember! I could never just fall asleep! My one son, as soon as his head hits the pillow, he is out! The other isn't as lucky, seems to take after me.

 

[massielovesdisney]

Personally I can't see myself drugging my children just so I could get rest, seems selffish on my part. I figure I made the choice to have my kids so I will deal with what they throw at me. Just my opinoin.

I see nothing wrong with medication as long as it is to help them sleep and not for your sleep. My son has sleep problems has ever since he was small. Sometimes he requests something to help him sleep. If he does not get enough sleep he falls asleep in school. I don't want anything by prescription as I would be concered about addiction. But occasionally helping them sleep I don't have a problem.