Melatonin? For kids too?

[MinnieTink]

Two different people have told me about melatonin recently. One is a grown man who uses melatonin on occasion to help him fall asleep, especially when traveling. The other us a mother of three, who uses it herself but also gives it to two of her kids, aged 5 and 10, often. She said she gets the chewable ones from Trader Joes. Anyway, just wondering if you have tried it, does it work and is it really ok to give it to kids?

 

[FredinFL]

I've given it to my 10 year old, when she has trouble falling asleep, for a year off and on now. It really seems to help when you have a "rough spot" with sleeping. She had some major sleep issues and it really helps her to relax and fall asleep.

 

[wdwmom0f3]

I use it for my son just about every night. His Dr. told me about it and it really does help DS relax. I buy it at Walmart, and it comes in different mg's. I have been giving him a 5mg each night about 30 minutes before bedtime. He is 10 and weighs about 70 pounds. It's all natural so I don't worry about him becoming dependant on it, and I do not use it on the weekends.

 

[funkychunkymonkey]

Yep! my DA give it to my two cousins everynight. Both have anxiety issues and this really helps take the edge off of there sleep issues. The 10 and 9. I take it every weeknight too because it helps me sleep through the night.

 

[Tiger926]

.

 

[Bilberry]

I use melatonin and have done so for a few years. I think it is great, I sleep better at night and typically feel better rested in the morning. I'm older though.

From what I've read, not sure if I would give melatonin to someone younger than 18. Wish i had some information that I could provide you on that, just recall reading about melatonin's many uses in the body and how it is used differently in the young verses older people.

If looking for other natural sleep medicines, might look at a little bit of magnesium before bed, or eating a piece of cheese in the evening. Have read of others having good success with sleep using these ideas.

 

[LuvOrlando]

Since melatonin is both a neurotransmitter and a hormone I don't think that's such a hot idea. Young brains are still developing and I don't think it's safe to bathe their systems in chemicals, at least I wouldn't do it with my own kids. unless there was something life threatening going on that needed to be addressed.

When you say can't sleep do you mean needs a Neurologist because the child is having sleep deprivation psychosis or do you mean the child simply isn't sleeping as much as the parent would like?

 

[goofy4tink]

My dd, now 17, has had sleep issues since she was 4 or 5. We finally sent her to a pediatric psychologist to determine what the issues were. Seems her imagination is way into overdrive!! She would worry herself sick lying in bed every night. She just couldn't let go of the day. She practiced slow breathing and other relaxation stuff. The therapist recommended melatonin for her. She has been taking one tablet each night for about 5 years now. She does tend to think that she 'has' to have it to sleep...think it may have become a crutch.
But, her pedi has no problem with her taking it..just tells her to not take it if she is taking an antihistimine for a cold or allergy.

 

[minkydog]

I'm not keen on medicating kids for sleep, but sometimes you have to. My son Christian is profoundly mentally handicapped & autistic, so he has very little sense of self-regulation. About 7 years ago he got *really* off his schedule, staying up until 5-6am and sleeping until 11, then raring to go again. The neurologist wanted to put him on Trazadone, an antidepressant with a lot of side effects. I declined that and asked about Melatonin, instead. The doctor okayed it, but didn't think it would help.

Well, how wrong could he be? Christian has slept through most nights ever since he started the Melatonin. And if he doesn't get it(3mg) you can bet your boots that it's gonna be party time at midnight, 2nd door to the left.

Definitely check with your doctor before you use it, but for us Melatonin has really been a lifesaver--for me! When Christian doesn't sleep through, guess who else doesn't sleep through--me and everyone else in the family! That alone is reason enough for me to medicate him.

 

[luvmy3]

My friends give it to their dd, their doctor suggested it.