Do your kids have problems falling asleep? Any Solutions?

Teresa - posted on 03/15/2013

I found cutting out TV helped my son, and I mean totally. he falls asleep earlier the days I have him and keep him from watching tv.

Jeann - posted on 02/07/2013

I have struggled my whole life with falling asleep at night. I am 46 years old now and a year ago discovered my problem was a milk allergy. When I gave up milk completely a year ago, I discovered I was able to fall asleep quickly just like normal people, I am able to slide my wedding ring off easily at night, and I no longer have that weird feeling in my legs at night that makes me feel like I just can't stretch my legs enough. Its like the tendon behind my knees need to be stretched and I can't relax my legs at night. Milk also caused hypoglycemic symptoms for me.

When I was a kid, I also suffered from a lot of headaches and had a very hard time in school, especially reading. As an adult I read fine. I wonder if that had to do with the milk allergy too. By the way, cheese and most other dairy products are fine. It must have something to do with the sugars in milk.

Kristen - posted on 01/13/2013

My son is 7, 1st grade. He has a brother, 9 and sister, 4. My son has been a terrible sleeper since birth. Now, he beginning to struggle in reading, self esteem is low and seems like a whirlwind at times. He has been having a lot of tantrums, he is stubborn and nudges his siblings terrible. He has a lot of headaches, but he has such a hard time falling asleep at night. I put him down around 8:30 and he doesn't fall asleep till like 10:00. Other 2 kids out cold. Is this adhd? Feeling a little frustrated!

Sharri - posted on 09/29/2012

My 8 yo granddaughter has ADHD as did my son. The Ritalin helps the concentration and was never given in the afternoon. The problem with both children was not being able to fall asleep. My son always had "leg cramps" and my grandaughter has leg "static" . Finally they now know that this is Restless leg syndrome and very common along with ADHD. If your child complains of leg problems do some research on this connection and ADD/ADHD.



Now she takes 1 mg liquid Melatonin 15 minutes before going to bed, giving it earlier does not help but she wears it off. She no longer is still awake at midnight and no more leg complaints at night. If she takes the 5 mg as ordered she has night terrors, so the less the better works for her along with the bed routine, reading, dark room, quiet background sleep music and a light protein snack.



We tried the holistic route like valerian and the common benadryl. They worked the opposite and gave the restless leg and made her fidgety. I hope this advise helps but find a Pediatric Neurologist to help find what works for your child. The Neurologist made great suggestions for school and sitting too long.

Susan - posted on 10/10/2011

if your giving your child medication for add or adhd in the late afternoon or evening that could be a huge problem. make sure that he's getting enuf attention because that could be the cause for why hes responding this way to bed time, also try a bed-time story, or maybe even perhaps talk to his doctor

Susan - posted on 10/10/2011

if your giving your child medication for add or adhd in the late afternoon or evening that could be a huge problem. make sure that he's getting enuf attention because that could be the cause for why hes responding this way to bed time, also try a bed-time story, or maybe even perhaps talk to his doctor

Virginia - posted on 10/06/2011

Oh yeah, I can relate! This is my first time with this site and I actually typed "ADD trouble falling asleep" as my first search. Your description is so spot on that it made me laugh (thank you!).



My son is 5 and though I would not say that it takes an hour for him to fall asleep when I do 'babysit' him, if I am not there to keep him in bed to make him lie flat and still, it can take an hour or longer. He's exhausted and irritable, but he just keeps bouncing around.



He's also having particular trouble with impulses at school, lashing out and hitting other children, trying to play alone and having spastic emotional responses. We're working on it, of course, but I know that if he could at least get an hour more of sleep per night, he'd smooth out a bit.

Amy - posted on 04/20/2010

My 6 yr old son recently started taking adderall for adhd then we noticed he could not get to sleep at night. His doctor recomended melatonin. We started with 1 pill and have moved to two pills. I notice that this does leave him a little groggy in the mornings so we are now giving the melatonin two hours before bed which gives it more time to wear off before mornings. His doctor also suggested that vitamin C helps get the adhd meds out of his system faster so we do a big glass of orange juice with his melatonin. Another big help is just having a routine. Bedtime is 8pm so we do melatonin at 6pm bath at 7pm and then quiet time in his room until bedtime. This gives him a chance to wind down some before bed. Right now his kindergarten is only 3 days a week so we only use the melatonin on school nights. The other nights he can stay up as long as he is behaving and i let him sleep in the next day. This routine is working well for us. Its not perfect but I'll take it. I hope some of these ideas help.

SuZanne - posted on 04/16/2010

Our Behavioral Therapist gave us a few tips...my daughter is almost 9 and she takes forever to sleep and will wake up at night and often is the first to wake in the morning.My son, who sleeps below her in the bunkbed is almost 6 and had Autism PDD NOS, high-functioning...she suggested to keep them awake until they are exhausted, at first.Do it on a day filled with activity or when they have expelled a lot of energy. Sit in the room,and put headphones on.Tell them you are not going to react to them, but they need to stay in their beds. Do this until they fall asleep. Each night, move the time a little sooner,5-10 minutes, until the desired bedtime is reached.This is called fading. My daughter also has trouble wetting the bed...now it is better, thankfully, but she , still needs to be awakened to be reminded to go to the bathroom. We notice thay sleep more soundly after a full day, and if the room is a little cooler.She will sit up and read books or convince her brother to go up to her bunk so they can keep playing...that's why you need to be a presence at first...just don't react to them.We also have the bedtime routine,teeth,book/talk,toilet,etc.The issue is they need extra attention.Even at bedtime,when they are tired. To help increase the "interest" in sleep, and decrease the need for attention, you are crating a shift in the way bedtime is presented. They want your attention.By you ignoring them, but still being there, it reassures them, but does not engage them.Even with the negative attention they recieve every time you reenter the room to tell them to fall asleep. If you are like any normal mom, you get tired and cranky at the fact 1.they are not listening.2.you are robbed of some down time.3.you may be so exhausted you are ready to sleep, and are in a bad mood.I say that because most moms would feel bad about deliberately ignoring theyre child...sitting right in front of them with headphones on.Just remember the rule of thumb for all behavior modification techniques.It will probably get worse before it gets better. Stick with it,be tough.They will love you for it in the long run.We are still struggling with this, but at least we will all struggle together. ;) Peace.

Vivian - posted on 03/31/2010

Melatonin is a natural, safe, slee aid. I give one or two pills to my son most nights and he falls asleep within a 1/2 hour. You can talk to you r doctor first.

Roxanne - posted on 03/12/2010

Oh can I ever relate, our son is now 8 we allow him to play his ds for 30 min then he gets another 30min to play or go crazy as long as its quite we go in with ten min left to give him a warning that time is running out then we turn on the radio usually a cd book of some type and he can listen to the story while he falls asleep it works for us

Andrea - posted on 03/11/2010

My 8 year old son is in the same boat but his psychiatrist told us that melatonin can cause problems with gonadal development. She gave him an RX for clonidine instead. I reasearched melatonin (cause my husabnd and I use it every night) and not only was she correct, it can also cause the onset of Crohn's disease, which my son now has. Coincidence perhaps, but since he already has Crohn's now, and since his insomnia is extreme, sometimes we give melatonint to him anyway.

Andrea Denise - posted on 03/11/2010

I have this problem too. Melantonin (sp) is what my child's doctor prescribed. Wish you well.

Suzanne - posted on 03/05/2010

I have snuggled my girls since they were little. They liked being sung to as well. If your son is an affectionate or cuddly sort, maybe he'd appreciate a snuggle before falling asleep.

Tammie - posted on 03/02/2010

My son has add/adhd as well. If all else fails I give him 3mg. of Melatonin, he will be 8 in a few days and weighs 60 lbs.. Have discussed w/ dr. and got the ok.

LISE - posted on 02/24/2010

KIMIKO ,

OH BOY CAN I RELATE MY LITTLE ONE HAS A ESTABLISHED ROUTINE , MANY NIGHTS ITS 2-3 AM BEFORE SLEEP HAPPENS AND THEN BACK UP BY 6-630



THEN OUR PEDS DR RECCOMMENDED A NATURAL SLEEP AIDE AND ITS A GOD SEND

KITA IS ON MELITONIN 3 MG AND SHE TAKES 3 PILLS / OR 9 MG NIGHTLY - A HALF HOUR BEFORE BED



IT WORKS

THE TRICK IS TO START WITH 3 MG AND THEN 2 PILLS

BRINGING THE DOSE TO 6 MG

THE HIGHEST RECOMMEND DOSAGE IS 10 MG

FOR A CHILD



AS TOO MUCH WILL JUST WIRE THEM FOR SOUND

SO START WITH 3 MG AND TAILOR IT TO YOUR CHILD



MY PEDS DR ALSO RECCOMMENDS RELAXATION MUSIC

SO THEY CAN LAY AND FOCAS ON THE MUSIC



OR A DE- STRESS BALL SO THEY CAN LAY QUIETLY AND FOCAS ON A OBJECT

Jennifer - posted on 02/14/2010

wow, there are alot of info and advice about drugs to take...... my son is 12, his routine includes music..... when there is music on in his room his brain seems to be able to focus on it and his body relaxes and then he falls asleep. When he is having a real hard time sleeping he grabs a book, it cannot have pictures, only words. That also seems to help him disconnect and fall asleep. Good Luck :-)

Michelle - posted on 02/08/2010

Been a long while since your original post, but here are a few ideas that might or might not help.

My daughter was diagnosed ADD at age 9. She is on Vyvanse now, but has been on other medications. I tutor a boy who is ADD with hyperactivity. I also help with his bed time routine when his parents have outside activities to attend. I have noticed that with both children that the Melatonin works well, but it has to be in the right amount. My daughter takes 1- 5 mg or 2- 3 mg. The 3 won't work by itself, it actually seems to back fire and make her wide awake. For him, 3 mg works best, when it works at all. If he takes more than the 3 mg. it wires him as well.

For another "natural" alternative, has your doctor mentioned Valerian root? It smells bad, and can taste bad if it is burped, but it does work like a charm. To help with the smell of the capsules, leave the out in the air for a while before giving them. You also might try Epsom salt baths. Also, there may be a food alergy. It could be something as small as say black pepper or as big as gluten, casein, milk, or soy.

Dawn - posted on 01/27/2010

I have three boys at home still I have another that is at college - all or add/adhd - the one that is in college has decided to go off his meds he actually is doing well. My other three do have troubles going to sleep at night - we give them Melatonin 3 mg (2 tablets about 30 minutes before their bed time) it is a non addicting medication and it is over the counter. It has worked very well and I don't have to worry about them being addicted to anything. Sometimes if I have had a rough/stressful day I take a couple at night it does the trick.

Amy - posted on 01/26/2010

My son is turning six. I have been using liquid Melatonin with him for about a year now. Works like a charm to slow him down enough so that he can actually rest his brain ... and his body follows.

Taneshia - posted on 01/22/2010

That is one of the symptoms of ADHD. My daughter have that same probem and her doctor put he on Clonidine. I works very wll. Within 30 minutes of taking it my daughter is sleep and she gets her full 8 hours.

Kelly - posted on 01/20/2010

I have the same problem qithbtbe sleeping thing but my son is now 9 and will not sleep unless he has some 1 or in some 1 bed we will stay awake till he go sleep but then couple hours later he will stArt trying 2 go in his sisters beds and if we say no then he will lay there hitting walls and making sounds. This could go on all nite. It's starting 2 stress me out lol I am so tied.

Jackie - posted on 01/09/2010

My daughter, now 14, had the same problem and her dr said it was very common and that with some meds, they need to take a sleeping pill. Usually on need it for a short period fo time but it's a thought. I wasn't fond of having to give her another pill but it really helped and I felt better knowing she was rested for the next day.

Katreena - posted on 12/28/2009

We have a 2 1/2 year old little girl who has the symptoms of ADHD and all the signs. She cant sleep either so they have started her on 3ml of melatonin at night to help allow her to be settled at night. hoping it works. Also hoping you find something that works for your son.

Billie - posted on 12/06/2009

my sons doctor reccomended melatonin if quiet time doesnt work

Michelle - posted on 11/25/2009

I spoke to my son's doctor and got a prescription for an allergy med called Atarax that also has the known side effect of knocking ADD and ADHD people out . Before anyone freaks and this yes my son also has allergies and was having issues with his current allergy medication making him more hyper. Another trick I learned is even though he is 10 now swaddling still works.

Sharon - posted on 11/14/2009

Hi Kimiko, my 2 sons now 4 and 5 never slept through the night since birth and have always been problematic in getting them to bed. Some nights my oldest would be up until 1:00am while I'm struggling to stay awake to get him to sleep.

A friend recommended trying Melatonin, it is not a medicine, but a supplement that is already produced in our bodies. It helps us relax to go to sleep. I started off with only 1/2 a mg. (1/2 a tablet) and within 15 minutes they would be relaxed enough to go to sleep. They've been on it for almost 2 months and I've just increased the dosage to 1 1/2 mg. They still wake up in the middle of the night occationally, but bedtime there are no arguments. By morning they are wide a wake and bouncing around so I know they've gotten some good sleep.



Hope this helps.

Tiffany - posted on 11/06/2009

My 5-year-old has a bedtime routine as well as taking Melatonin. I found that my daughter would actually 'feed' on keeping me in her room; now, once she's in bed, I will rub her back for about 5 minutes and leave - telling her I'll be back to check on her. As long as she's in her bed, quietly, she's free to move about; I've found that more times then not, when I return 15-30 minutes later she's sleeping. However, when she was younger (she was actaully diagnosed with ADHD around 2.5 years old) I got her a weighted blanket which seemed to help calm her body so that she could sleep.

Christy - posted on 11/06/2009

our DR suggested to give him some benadryl, it help my 9yr old

Karen - posted on 10/26/2009

There is a prescription drug called clonidine that you can get for them to help them sleep. It really works great!!!

Tammy - posted on 10/26/2009

Clonidine is a med that is frequently used to help ADHD kids that are on medication sleep at night....It is a very old medicine but it acts on the heart but usually at much higher doses....Have you tried Benadryl? Ask your doctor first if okay to give. tammy

Tammy - posted on 10/26/2009

What medication is he on and how often does he take it? There are meds that can be given to help him sleep but the 1 hour it takes you to get him to sleep I think is a much better approach. I do understand that this is something that you can't do every night...Look forward to hearing back from you. Tammy

Jenny - posted on 10/21/2009

I went through the same problem with my kids about 2 yrs ago. My 2 older kids have add and adhd. My daughter has ADD and my son has ADHD. Their dr. prescribed Clonedin( i think thats how its spelled). It has been working just fine. But there are times when i run out and they hafta go a night without it and they are up till like midnight or 1 in the morning.

Tina - posted on 10/07/2009

I was also told about the Melatonin and my Dr.said it was safe to use even with the medication my kids are on and it does work and it helps them fall asleep and get a good nights rest.They have no side affects or anything.

Jenny - posted on 10/01/2009

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First of all please become a fan of "Think Zebras" on Facebook, it will give you much information. I have a son who is now 10 who was diagnosed with ADHD when he was 7. After countless hours of research I realized ADHD is simply a set of symptoms, not a disease in and of itself. I found a physician (Dr. James Schaller) who shared my beliefs and sent my son's blood to Fry Labs in Scottsdale, AZ. With Dr. Fry's patented stain, we were able to see parasites and bacteria (Babesia and Bartonella) in his blood that we wouldnt have been able to see with just any lab. We treated him and he is cured. This information is emerging and will be the main focus very soon. I'd be happy to help guide you through the process through Think Zebras. The reason diets and oils help is because the parasites and bacteria survive on the fat that surrounds our nerve cells and replenishing makes for obvious improvement. There are homeopathic treatments you can try but there is also protocol set forth by the CDC. We did both and we are very happy with the results. My son now does very well in every aspect of his life and he has been medication free for over 2 years.

Lacey - posted on 09/30/2009

My daughter did this i just finally gave up and let her cry herself to sleep at the door she's add i don't think to this day she ever actually sleeps. My son however is ADHD and when he stops he's out like a light and always has been that way. Youd think it be the opposite.

Kellie - posted on 09/29/2009

ASK YOUR DR ABOUT VISTARIL, THIS IS WHAT MY SON TAKES BUT I HAVE TO GIVE IT TO HIM WHEN HE COMES HOME FROM SCHOOL AND BY BEDTIME HE IS RELAXED. IF I DON'T GIVE IT TO HIM HE WILL BE UP ALL NITE.

Kellie - posted on 09/29/2009

SOMETIMES IT CAN BE THE MEDICATION THAT HE IS TAKING. IF MY SON DOES NOT TAKE HIS MEDS HE WILL BE UP ALL NITE

Rabecca - posted on 09/04/2009

I eill we have been going back and forth with our doctor about getting him something to help him sleep his doctor is a minnimalist when it comes to medicating kids which in one aspect id great he just wont htrow a bunch of medication at kids which have the potentail of being addictive and no one wants to give there kid a situmulant all day and then something that brings them down at night but it's hard on the other hand becuase I need my sleep to and I get really angery when he wont go to bed and I dont liek to get mad at him about it because it honestly no this fault but I know how hard it is to get him going in the morning of course he barley got to sleep and his behavior reflex that during the day as well I mean for an average kid you can tell if thier tired but an ADHD child waltch out and I worry all day those days when the phone rings when hes had a bad night thinking oh God what know .

But hopefully this appointment I can get it across to his doctor that he really needs something if not foe veeryday at leaset those days that hes having big issues Ill let you know

Kimiko - posted on 09/03/2009

Wow Rabecca,

3 or 4 o'clock is really bad. I'm so sorry. I thought 11 o'clock, 11:30 was bad. For us too, it has been since birth. I thought it was his eczema since he'd always come out saying he was itchy, but now that I know he is ADD, I'm rethinking it.

Please let me know what your doctor says. Curtis will be 10 in October, so I plan on talking to the doctor then about it.

My son just started taking a natural item called Bach Flower Remedy to help him concentrate. I was talking to a friend of mine about it and she said they have a Bach Flower Remedy that is mixed to help you fall asleep. I ran out the next day and bought it. I've only been able to use it 3 times. The first time it worked great. The 2nd night not so great and the 3rd time it was already 11:00, but he fell asleep quickly once I remembered to give it to him. I used it on myself, since I've been a little anxious and haven't been sleeping well and I fell asleep really quickly. You may want to try it.

Please keep me posted and I will do the same. Perhaps one of us will stumble upon a remedy that really works.

Rabecca - posted on 09/03/2009

my son is 8 almost 9 and we have had the same issues but its been since like well birth but definatly has gotten worse since he started on meds not much worse but not good before meds he would most likely give up and his body just couldnt hold out past 12 or 1 which was bad but I am not one who goes to sleep easily either so I was up eventhough he has had a srtict routine since he was very small he is in bed everynight by 8:30 he just wont stay in bed and if he stays in his room hes into everything

we have tried everything meletonin benadrly both together sometimes it works but thats only about 1 out of ten tiimes it fustrating becuase now he may fall asleep by 3 or 4 and I have to be up by 7 so if Im lucky I get 4 hours of sleep myself and which for me I am just the kind of person who need 9 or 10 hour to feel human the next day we are seeing the doctor next week hopefully this time he will get him something to help him sleep before i am commited to an assylum

Kimiko - posted on 09/03/2009

Thank you, Jean, It is always nice to hear from someone who has an older child and to hear how it all ended up. I have been having him read and he does seem to like it, but because I'm not listening to him, I don't know how much he is really retaining. My only thought is that any kind of reading is better than none. I look forward to the day that he actually reads better. Right now he often skips words and doesn't always retain what he has read.

It is good to know that the sleepless thing will eventually go away. Thank you for the encouragement.

Jean - posted on 09/03/2009

I know it's a nightmare! My Son is know 23 but as a child he was awful. I tried taking him for walks but that made him worse. In the end he started reading believe it or not. I know that's hard to believe with an ADD with Hyper activity child. But it eased him in to relaxing. I also had to move his Brother out of his room because he wasn't getting any sleep. He finally grew out ot it at about 8th Grade.

Kimiko - posted on 09/01/2009

Sheryl,

Thank you for your input. I'll check into that with his doctor. I really haven't talked to the doctor about it, but I guess that would be a good idea. Thank you.

Sheryl - posted on 09/01/2009

My son has ADHD and his doctor suggested I try Melatonin 3 mg it is a non addicting medication and it is over the counter. It has worked very well and I don't have to worry about him being addicted to anything

Kimiko - posted on 09/01/2009

Hi Kathleen,
Thank you so much for your response. My son is 9 almost 10. I tried lavendar on a pillow and he broke out. He has a lot of allergies too, but thanks for the suggestion.

I will definitely look for that book. I am always looking for new insiteful ideas. Thank you so much.
Kimiko

Kathleen - posted on 09/01/2009

Hi Kimiko,

My son is 12, what age is your little guy? Everyone will have their own "special" tricks, but what I find helps is no sugar/preservative/artificial diet. I know this can be extremely difficult, but there are foods out there to replace all the highly marketed snacks & drinks.

Also, I limit TV & video play. If I want him to be in bed by let's say 9pm, all electronics (including mine) are off at least an hour before bedtime. A nice warm lavender bath helps also. So many things can help, I hope I've helped a little bit. I also have a book suggestion that has helped me like no other! The ADD & ADHD Cure Handbook by Dr. Jay Gordon. It is not a "real" cure book, it simply has a lot of information and techniques one may try. The Dr. is quite insightful. If one or two tips in the book helps, it's worth it. I got my first book from a local library, then it became my sons cookbook and reference guide with multiple post it notes so I had to buy one. You can get on on Amazon used.http://www.amazon.com/ADD-ADHD-Cure-Natu...

Hope this helps. Keep in touch, Kathleen