Using Melatonin as a sleep aid...

Mauri - posted on 06/29/2011

I give my Aspie 5yr old melatonin and nighty night tea. She takes 1mg and a cup of tea and it helps. She has been on it for about 2yrs. i do ween her off it for awhile as her sleeping rythm starts to take over but that lasts only a day or two.
Our Dr had attended a seminar about ASD kids and it is believed that these little angels have the problem where their bodies just miss certain cues that a non ASD kid has no problem with. Hope that makes sense. But anyway, there are a few things out there that are all natural as well to help assist a child in sleeping. Melatonin has had no side efffects that i have seen in my dd

Brenda - posted on 06/29/2011

My son is aspergers which they say is autism my son sleeps a hour and is up the rest of the nite, he is 7 took him to the pyschiatric doctor today and he says melatonin is for 40 and above is this true or am i crazy? any responses would be very helpful.I am exhausted and he is to

Jane - posted on 08/04/2009

Hi.Just joined.Melatonin is great.It has saved my relationship with my 10year old.His paedaotrition[wrong spelling sorry]does recommend drug holidays.Hamishs treat is to not take it and watch as much telly as he wants while bouncing around his room.
Jane

ZANDRIA - posted on 07/12/2009

Quoting Cheri:

I have 2 Asperger's boys, almost 3 and almost 7.  Can anyone recommend starting dosages for me?

WE STARTED AT 3 Mg BUT ONLY GAVE 1/2 PILL AT FIRST( WE STARTED THIS AT 20 MONTHS WITH MY SON. HE IS NOW 4 AND WE USE IT AS NEEDED!

P.S. WHEN HE DOES TAKE IT HE TAKES A WHOLE PILL NOW AND THE BEST WAY I HAVE FOUND OUT TO USE IT IS.... CRUSH IT UP AND PUT IT ON HIS TOOTHBRUSH

Jaime - posted on 07/12/2009

we used melatonin for a while with my son, it worked for a short time. come to find out many asperger's kids suffer from depression and or anxiety disorder (my son being one). the melatonin actually has less effect on this. we did eventually decide to put my son on prozac when he was 6 (now 8). It has helped with the sleep much more, along with the daily mood swings.
If that is not the issue, try avoiding naps during the day, keep his mind stimulated. We taught our son to use the computer with multiple puzzle games for quiet time, and other times he was allowed to watch a quiet movie and build with legos or something. the building helps calm him still. I understand your concerns, my son didn't sleep, even nap from day 1 to year 6.

Bernie - posted on 07/12/2009

My son 12 has Aspbergers....we have coped uptil now god help us hormones..temper and ontop of his usual traits we are struggling and need support.

Jennifer - posted on 02/11/2009

We have used melatonin since my son's been on an ADHD stimulant, and yes...it's been WONDERFUL. He wakes up rested and ready for the day!!

Heather - posted on 02/10/2009

I use it on my 5 year old daughter with PDD. She has never been a sleeper but with the Melatonin she gets at least 6-7 hours. My doctor said to try 3 weeks on and 3 weeks off. This is supposed to make it more effective. For us it is 4 weeks on and a placebo for 2 weeks then 4 more weeks on again. I also use this with my daughters with ADHD and it really helps them too.

Autumn - posted on 02/10/2009

I give two of my children melatonin. My son has bipolar, and my 3 year old daughter has PDD-NOS. We do not use it every night. This has allowed us to keep the dose at 1 mg, even for my son who has taken it for a couple of years. My daughter is on a GFCF diet. When she gets gluten (by accident) she does not sleep. It might be something you want to try.

Dew - posted on 02/10/2009

Vanessa,

I am sorry it took so loong to get back to you on this. I hope the bed time routine works well for you and your child. It makes life in general so much easier to deal with when all the members of a family are well rested. Let me know if it has helped you in any way

Dew

Crystal - posted on 01/29/2009

Id also like to mention that after starting our son on Melatonin ( he was sleeping between 3 and 5 hours, sometimes even less) he started sleeping through the night, and going to bed by 9pm, a whole5 hours earlier then normal. It gave him the ability to calm down to sleep, after a few months it stopped KEEPING him to sleep but it gets him to sleep.

At first I was very conflicted givin it to him, I thought I was just being selfish and wanted him to just sleep, but within days you could see a huge difference inhim! he was much much more responsive, making tons more eye contact and was even trying to talk! its been 3 months now, and in the morning time he can even make 2 and 3 word sentences after getting a good nights sleep!

The sleep routine, weighted blankets, nothing was working. With the melatonin it allows us to get a routine in place that he can actually follow, and we do hope to get him off the melatonin, eventually.

Crystal - posted on 01/29/2009

Quoting Venetia:

I have been wanting to get my son to on it but he doesn't take pills but will do liquid. Does anyone know if there is a website that sells the liquid. I use it myself as I have trouble sleeping at night. But I want to get my son on it too and haven't found the liquid around here yet.

Webber makes a dissovable kind. We mix it in some jucie and that how our son takes it, also a friend of mine breaks open the capsules, mixes it in juice and give it to her son that way.

Vicky - posted on 01/29/2009

My son has high functioning autism and adhd and he was put on melatonin and it is great! we usually break on the weekend. I like it because there is no need to worry about addiction. Our sons Developemental Specialist also suggested (May sound crazy, but it works) putting a tv in our sons room and letting him watch it to fall asleep by. That along with the Melatonin has been a lifesaver. OH and leave the tv on all night, something about the white noise. Our daughter is of course jealous but you would not do this with a normal child. I thought he was crazy at first to give him a tv when he's all ready staying up all night but I'm a believer now!

Wendy - posted on 01/29/2009

You need to take a break once in a while. We use it to establish a sleep routine, then see if we can quit using it for a while. Start using it again when he starts having sleep issues again. We only use about 1/4 mg. More than that causes nightmares for us.

Stacie - posted on 01/29/2009

With my little guy he was able to take and if he woke up from a short sleep it was hard for him to get back to sleep as he was then wide awake. After awhile it does tend not to work anymore. At least for my son it stopped working.

Tracey - posted on 01/28/2009

We've been using melatonin with our 4 1/2 yr old daughter for over a year. It's worked wonders...we've had issues in the past where she'll wake up at 3 or 4 and won't go back to sleep..the pharmacist said not to exceed 3 mg., so we give 1/2 tablet at bed and then give the other half on nights she may wake. She has a hard time getting her mind to slow down and it works great. kicks in within 15 minutes. As far as weening off. You can stop altogether from what I've been told. some nights they need it and other nights they don't. hope this helps

Terra - posted on 01/28/2009

I just wanted to thank everyone for their very helpful input!..This has been a tremendous help for me and my son!.I have decided to just give him the melatonin on week nights when he is really wound up and break on the weekends and just try to wear him out playing hard enough on the weekends that he will get to bed at a somewhat decent hour on the weekends..lol..but I think I am going to continue to use this new wonder remedy for awhile until I can possibly get him into a routinue of falling asleep using different methods of some of the suggestions of the other mothers!...Thanks again!...You guys have been a great help!!...Hope that everyone has a great night..and that everyone gets a good night sleep!

TJ - posted on 01/28/2009

I have a 10 year old daughter that we give 3 mg of melatonin to on school nights. She too would stay up until midnight without intervention. My pediatrician suggested it several years ago and it works like a charm. My doctor is confident that it doesn't have long-term side effects and feels it is safe for her to use as long as she needs. We have also added a sound machine to the sleep routine and that seems to help too! I recommended it to family members and they have also had success :)

Sara - posted on 01/28/2009

I have used melatonin with my 10 yr old who has ADHD/Asperger's with an additional anxiety disorder to help him sleep, and it works wonders.  He's been on it for the better part of a year, and it was suggested to us by our psychiatrist.  He's old enough now that I can ask him if he needs it at night, and sometimes he knows himself well enough to tell me that he's tired enough and doesn't need it.   I've even tried it when I've had trouble getting to sleep, and I think it works wonders.  Good luck!

Laura - posted on 01/28/2009

my son takes a liquid form of meletonin called Kidnaps it comes in strawberry or orange flavour. he has it prescribed from his G.P.

Laura - posted on 01/28/2009

my son thomas has been using meletonin for two years now. he used to manage to sleep witout it in the winter when it's dark at nights but over the las six months has needed it every night. i think you should just trust your own instincts as a mum and if you feel he's had a calm day try without, you can always give him a dose if he hasn't settled in a few hours.

Cheri - posted on 01/27/2009

They had liquid melatonin in the natural section at our local Fred Meyer.

Vanessa - posted on 01/26/2009

Quoting Dew:

I hope to npt step on anyones toes and understand it is a personal choice as to use melatonin or not but the research I have done and talking with Homeopathic doctors and nurses I have been told it is not reccomended to give young children melatonin other than an occasional dose of it. It can affect fertility later in life and it can also cause issues with normal brain production of melatonin the longer it is used. The childs brain "forgets" how to produce it or stops altogether as the body is getting it from an "outside" source. The maximun suggested adult does it no more than 3mg a night so a child taking up to 9mg is getting 3X's the reccomended adult dose.  I have 2 children that were "nonsleepers" and there were many a night I had to camp out in front of their doorway at bed tim with a book or something so they knew I was there and they had to stay on bed and remain quiet.. setting up a strict bed time routine about 2 hours before bed time was the trick for us. Getting a warm bath with lavender oil in the water.. a nutritious snack- minus any sugar in it- and setteling down cuddled with mommy to do a quiet calm activity seemed to help get them calm enough they could be put into bed. The television was turned off at the begining of out routine to avoid external stimulation and any talking was done at nothing more than a whisper.  A sound machine placed in their room also seemed to have a calming effect if it was placed on  the rain or flowing brook sound.  My son at 14 still gets up in the middle of the night and wanders a bit but we have managed to "reprogram" his brin that 3"30 in the morning isnt a time when people are supposed to be awake so about 15 mins after he gets up he takes himself back to his bed and goes back to sleep.... usually after a glass of milk and a piece of toast.

Please be careful about any suppliments you are giving you children.. just because they are herbal doesnt mean they cant or wont eventually have some negative side effects.. on their own or when combined with a prescription medication down the road.  Again i am sorry if I stepped on any toes.. it wasnt done intentionally.. I have just been walking this road for a long time with 2 of my 4 children.

Thanks this was helpful.  I was considering getting something from the dr for my 9 yr old aspie son.  Now I think I will try your bedtime routine with him and see if that will work.  Right now we just let him go till he drops and that is usually not unti the wee hours of the morning and then he's up only a couple hours later.  I'd rather not have to give him anything if I can avoid it and it sounds as if this just might work.  I sure hope so.  Thanks again.

Laura - posted on 01/26/2009

Our Dr. raised her dose from 1 mg. at night to 2 mg. at night. I haven't been told of any side effects but will now be checking as she does want to grow up and have a normal life. She wants "to grow up and be a mommy". Otherwise her sleep is good. The Psychiatrist did not say if it was long or short term. It was prescribed to be an extra calming med. She takes Concerta, Risperdone, and then the Melatonin. As a combination these meds have worked for us so far.



She has high functioning Autism, diagnosed as PDD-NOS, ADHD, ODD, and mood cycling disorder, plus some sensory issues.



We have also used a weighted blanket and she still has it but doesn't use it so much. I didn't know what these were but OTs use them. They are used to give your body the pressure it needs to function. As an adult we pretty much know when we need to stretch or move to hit these pressure points but some children do not have this ability. Have you worked with an OT? They do alot of this with children who have sensory integration issues. My daughter loves the weighted activities. As for her blanket, it is just a small baby size weighted blanket I had someone make for me. We use this also as an aid to calm her down when she is upset. It helps her body process all the information coming in that she is getting frustrated over.

Dawn - posted on 01/26/2009

We had been using melatonin 1mg for my son since summer and it was working wonderfully but we pulled him off of ritalin because we felt he was developing an addictive personality. After thinking about it we thought it best to try to go without the melatonin so I switched to a bedtime tea with honey and milk and that has seemed to work. I don't know if the Melatonin helps their bodies learn to fall asleep on their own or not but we are having success being off of it for almost 2 weeks now. Hope this helps.

Dusti - posted on 01/23/2009

We have a GNC health food store... they are just about everywhere (I think).  They sell sublingual tablets (that melt away) in an orange flavor.  Also, check other health food stores because most of them sell the chewable/meltaways in orange flavor.

Carrie - posted on 01/22/2009

We used the melatonin for almost a year then my son started to wake earlier so we saw his doctor and he put him on remron.In the 2 weeks he was on it he had bad BM and he would hit, scream and not sleep. So we called the doctor and of course he was gone so we put him back on the melatonin and it has been a month and things are going great. I think having that break from it helped.

Cheryl - posted on 01/22/2009

Quoting Venetia:

I have been wanting to get my son to on it but he doesn't take pills but will do liquid. Does anyone know if there is a website that sells the liquid. I use it myself as I have trouble sleeping at night. But I want to get my son on it too and haven't found the liquid around here yet.

The tablets I give my daughter are melt aways, she puts it under her tongue and it melts away, she says it tastes like mint, we buy ours at the costco pharmacy but i have not heard of it in liquid form.

Dew - posted on 01/22/2009

I hope to npt step on anyones toes and understand it is a personal choice as to use melatonin or not but the research I have done and talking with Homeopathic doctors and nurses I have been told it is not reccomended to give young children melatonin other than an occasional dose of it. It can affect fertility later in life and it can also cause issues with normal brain production of melatonin the longer it is used. The childs brain "forgets" how to produce it or stops altogether as the body is getting it from an "outside" source. The maximun suggested adult does it no more than 3mg a night so a child taking up to 9mg is getting 3X's the reccomended adult dose.  I have 2 children that were "nonsleepers" and there were many a night I had to camp out in front of their doorway at bed tim with a book or something so they knew I was there and they had to stay on bed and remain quiet.. setting up a strict bed time routine about 2 hours before bed time was the trick for us. Getting a warm bath with lavender oil in the water.. a nutritious snack- minus any sugar in it- and setteling down cuddled with mommy to do a quiet calm activity seemed to help get them calm enough they could be put into bed. The television was turned off at the begining of out routine to avoid external stimulation and any talking was done at nothing more than a whisper.  A sound machine placed in their room also seemed to have a calming effect if it was placed on  the rain or flowing brook sound.  My son at 14 still gets up in the middle of the night and wanders a bit but we have managed to "reprogram" his brin that 3"30 in the morning isnt a time when people are supposed to be awake so about 15 mins after he gets up he takes himself back to his bed and goes back to sleep.... usually after a glass of milk and a piece of toast.

Please be careful about any suppliments you are giving you children.. just because they are herbal doesnt mean they cant or wont eventually have some negative side effects.. on their own or when combined with a prescription medication down the road.  Again i am sorry if I stepped on any toes.. it wasnt done intentionally.. I have just been walking this road for a long time with 2 of my 4 children.

Dew - posted on 01/22/2009

I hope to npt step on anyones toes and understand it is a personal choice as to use melatonin or not but the research I have done and talking with Homeopathic doctors and nurses I have been told it is not reccomended to give young children melatonin other than an occasional dose of it. It can affect fertility later in life and it can also cause issues with normal brain production of melatonin the longer it is used. The childs brain "forgets" how to produce it or stops altogether as the body is getting it from an "outside" source. The maximun suggested adult does it no more than 3mg a night so a child taking up to 9mg is getting 3X's the reccomended adult dose.  I have 2 children that were "nonsleepers" and there were many a night I had to camp out in front of their doorway at bed tim with a book or something so they knew I was there and they had to stay on bed and remain quiet.. setting up a strict bed time routine about 2 hours before bed time was the trick for us. Getting a warm bath with lavender oil in the water.. a nutritious snack- minus any sugar in it- and setteling down cuddled with mommy to do a quiet calm activity seemed to help get them calm enough they could be put into bed. The television was turned off at the begining of out routine to avoid external stimulation and any talking was done at nothing more than a whisper.  A sound machine placed in their room also seemed to have a calming effect if it was placed on  the rain or flowing brook sound.  My son at 14 still gets up in the middle of the night and wanders a bit but we have managed to "reprogram" his brin that 3"30 in the morning isnt a time when people are supposed to be awake so about 15 mins after he gets up he takes himself back to his bed and goes back to sleep.... usually after a glass of milk and a piece of toast.

Please be careful about any suppliments you are giving you children.. just because they are herbal doesnt mean they cant or wont eventually have some negative side effects.. on their own or when combined with a prescription medication down the road.  Again i am sorry if I stepped on any toes.. it wasnt done intentionally.. I have just been walking this road for a long time with 2 of my 4 children.

Paula - posted on 01/22/2009

I used it for my son when is was young as now he off it and sleeps well.

He started it when he was  5 and stopped at about age 10. It did wear off after a while but it manged to get him use to sleeping at appropriate times at night..

Dusti - posted on 01/18/2009

Melatonin changed our lives!  After years of no sleep, a trip to a health food store sent me home with a chewable miracle!  We started on the 1 mg and then doubled, tripled, and then bought the 2.5 mg.  My son has taken up to 5 mg a night, but I was told by our autism dr at the university that he could take up to 8 mg.  He weighed 80 lbs at that time.  The only thing they did caution against (and I saw someone else also posted this note) is the fertility issues.  But dr said that there is little to no research in this field so... who knows.  We take breaks from it occassionally just to see how he does on his own.  I have taken it and depending on the brand I use, I have noticed "hangover" effects the next morning.  I felt groggy and grouchy for several hours and had to force myself awake.  But, it doesn't seem to bother my son.  Right now, he is only taking it occassionally to get back on schedule like after Christmas break.  I am also going to use it when we fly overnight in a couple weeks.  If your kiddo has issues with swallowing pills be sure to get the "sublingual" tablet, because that means it is chewable and usually has a fruity flavor.

Natasha - posted on 01/13/2009

I have a 5 year old boy with asd he is also on melatonin he is on the highest dose as the lower dosages never worked it has worked after a fashion without it he wont go to sleep but after a cpl of hours he wakes up again and we carry on as before. I tried weaning him off of it on several occasions but his behaviour becomes terrible over day so have put him back on it. As a long term I dont see it causes any harm as it is a natural product the brain makes but obviously our children dont make enough off it. My son has now been on it for 2 years the Dr has suggested a sedative but iam not sure i want to go down that path.

Julie - posted on 01/13/2009

I too have a PDD-er. We started him on 1.75 and moved him up too 2.5. It is wonderful. Life is so much happier at night. Go for it!

Venetia - posted on 01/12/2009

I guess I am kind of lucky because my son isn't on anything except Tyenol, Morton, and clairton when he needs it. Well I guess melaton when I find some liqid melaton. Anyways best of luck.

Shawna - posted on 01/12/2009

Oh forgot the ridallin

Shawna - posted on 01/12/2009

Ok here it goes my son is 11 we have known since he was 3 that he had PDD it took forever for a doctor to actually say it but when they did I had went forever without sleep until they put him on clonidine he has been on it now a very long time and it still work's it also help's to keep him calmer during the day so that he can go to school and not get sent home daily but he is also on risperdahl ,concerta, he also has been in the past been on prozac but he also has sensory problem's to

Venetia - posted on 01/12/2009

Quoting Lori:

We used Melatonin for several years, but have found that Clonodine works much better. It has worked well for over 8 years now.

the only thing about the Clonodine is that melatonin is a natural herb that works with our bodies natural melatonin. As we all know, a child who has autism's melatonin is all, well for the better lack of the word "messed UP." Which is probably why their sleeping habits are really off. Did you look into the possible side affects. Let us not forget what happened with the ridalian that doctors were once quick to prescribe. You might not see the side effects now but later on you might. Try to keep up to date on any information on it.

Venetia - posted on 01/12/2009

Quoting Narelle:

yeah we've just started using it. we dont have a prescribed i bought mone from an online pharmacy (its a herbal suppliment) and we are starting her with ½ a tablet at the moment its taking 2-3 hours to settle still but i want to give it time to work maybe the rest of the week. fingers crossed we get our much needed sleep

can I ask what website?

Venetia - posted on 01/12/2009

Quoting Cheri:

I have 2 Asperger's boys, almost 3 and almost 7.  Can anyone recommend starting dosages for me?

consult your physican. I asked my son's peditrician and she recommended a dosage for him.

Venetia - posted on 01/12/2009

I have been wanting to get my son to on it but he doesn't take pills but will do liquid. Does anyone know if there is a website that sells the liquid. I use it myself as I have trouble sleeping at night. But I want to get my son on it too and haven't found the liquid around here yet.

Jean - posted on 01/12/2009

Quoting Lori:

We used Melatonin for several years, but have found that Clonodine works much better. It has worked well for over 8 years now.

There are some risks with the Clonodine though- so you have to be super careful with anything else you give them.  My son is on Clonodine for some ticks that he gets under axiety and the associated risk with it is this:  it broadens your vessels thus decreasing your blood pressure.  It does help the kids sleep though.

Jean - posted on 01/12/2009

I love melatonin!!! My kids both have it. We started when my oldest son was on adderall for his adhd. It is awesome because it's something that your body produces naturally. You brain produces this chemical to shut your body down into sleep mode. You can not overdose on it and it doesn't leave you groggy the next day. I take it myself. Melatonin is not addicting at all- it leaves your system pretty fast.

Rachael - posted on 01/12/2009

My son was 4 when he started on melatonin and he started with 3mg and then had gradual increases until they got the dose right, he is now 7 and he is on 9mg hop this helps.

Cheri - posted on 01/11/2009

I have 2 Asperger's boys, almost 3 and almost 7.  Can anyone recommend starting dosages for me?

Lee Anne - posted on 01/11/2009

We've been using melatonin for about a year and a half with our Asperger's child and our ADHD child. We've noticed no worrisome side effects and they both are falling asleep much easier and seem more rested in the morning. Their doctors encouraged us to try the melatonin and it has been a wonderful aid for the sleeping issues! I hope this helps :)

Rachael - posted on 01/11/2009

My son has melatonin, he is on 9mg of it and with it he sleeps for around 6hrs now, but it only works if he is calm at the time it is being given. He also has a weighted blanket and the combination of them both has worked wonders!!!

Karen - posted on 01/10/2009

I held off giving it to my 5 year old for so long just coping with the night wandering and waking. I found Melatonin worked great for the first month, but now 4 months later its effect is not one that knocks him out but I find it calms him down and the bed time roueteen is better, but he now is wandering again. I did stop giving it to him for a week and it was hell after three days. He needs the sleep and the calm approach to bed time. So I think it is more up to you. I will keep using it because it really seems to help!

Bekki - posted on 01/10/2009

p.s. forgot to say i was only told about the side affects after we had been using it for 3 years!!! no one thought to mention it!

Bekki - posted on 01/10/2009

melatonin has been a life saver for us! however its only a short term measure to 'get them in a routine', my son has real problems without it but i've been told if you use it long term it can affect fertility. ive managed to wean him down to 2mgs a night but sometimes he needs an extra one (eg. xmas eve!!) but its a huge improvement as he was on 6mgs a night. however, please take heart moms coz connor was so terrible at sleeping, now he does manage to drop off at a decent time, just wish he'd sleep through the night!