Sleep Issues

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MUMMYCC
Posts: 1531
5/11/10 5:26 P

Hi, commiserations for everyone struggling with sleep. My nearly 3yo has just started sleeping through regularly. I'm slowly recovering from the long term sleep deprivation.

I would make a warning about valerian. I have used valerian tea bags drinking a cup at bedtime. It worked within 20 minutes. However, I felt that it was addictive, and also very powerful. I would be a little wary of using it on a very young child. It's probably best to get some formal medical supervision, especially for a child who is already or has recently been taking melatonin.

This webpage sets out what is known about it:

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlinepl
us/druginfo/natural/patient-va
lerian.html

This contradicts what I've said about it seeming addictive, but it also says the studies were not rigorous enough to be certain about the effects.

LOVE24
Posts: 468
5/4/10 6:04 A

I didn't see the date of the post! I am glad he is sleeping better! My guy woke up 1-4 times per night through his 2nd year so I feel your pain.

Evidently Gaba is found in high quantities in Valerian root, so maybe that is why V root works for sleep.

Anyway, I am glad you both are getting some sleep now!

The Voice of Truth tells me a different story and The Voice of Truth says do not be afraid...

CANDAMOMMY
Posts: 17347
5/3/10 8:44 P

Thanks..thankfully about a month after I posted, he started sleeping again. He is up every now and than, but no where near before. I do contribute a lot to his molars.

I give him such a little dose because that is exactly what I heard about the bad dreams-if they get too much..I increased it during that period of time and he would fall asleep quicker, but the screaming was intensified when he did wake up... We are using gaba as well.

Thank you so much for responding. I haven't heard of velarian root supplemets. I was told to look into 5htp.

LOVE24
Posts: 468
5/3/10 8:01 P

I am so sorry you are having this issue- it is so rough when you and him are not getting sleep.
Have you looked into Valerian root supplements?
I have some friends that use it with their ASD kids when melatonin stops being effective. I don't know that much about it but I do know the research supports it's use as a sleep aid.

Also the dose of .75 mg of the melatonin seems low. I know he is little but it might be worth asking you practitioner if he can go up? Also, did the melatonin use to work for all night and now it doesn't? I myself have used it and it seems like at about the 2 week period I get "wiggy" with it and start to have bad dreams. I have heard of this happening to some kids with longer term melatonin use.

I hope this helps in some way, I will get back to you if I come across any other ideas.

The Voice of Truth tells me a different story and The Voice of Truth says do not be afraid...

CANDAMOMMY
Posts: 17347
3/26/10 3:38 P

I know this thread is not that active, but I am desperate at this point. Both of my boys are ASD, but my 2 year old for the past 9 weeks will not sleep all night. He wakes up every night screaming or just awake. I am going to try digestive enzymes starting next week to see if he is having a hard time digesting food and that is causing his sleep disruption. Other than that, he is on .75 of melatonin, but getting to sleep is not the issue. I am leary of bringing him to a neurologist because I don't want him to be put on any medications. Any advice would be GREATLY appreciated.

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