i feel like crying giving up and throwing the towel in what to do?

User - posted on 01/15/2012

We're still dealing with this from time to time with our 5 1/2yr old daughter. I agree with other Moms about melatonin. It works well but you have to get it at the right dose; too much will not work well and of course, too little won't either. We give our daughter 6mg ( two tabs if it is a 3mg dose). This has been working very well here lately, but every now and then we have to give her Zyrtec if she has a pattern of awakening a few nights/week. This also works very well, but should be a last resort. We used to give her benedryl, but it made her so hyper the next day. So her psychiatrist recommended the Zyrtec. It's a little more pricey than benedryl but works so much better and won't make your son hyper. I know EXACTLY what you're going through. Our daughter used to wake up every single night between 1-3am. when she was younger. Other things you may want to try for your son is exposing him to as much sunlight/outdoor light as possible. This will build up his own supply of melatonin in his brain; the more melatonin he has in his brain during the day, the more it will kick in at nighttime. Also a lot of play/tumble activity about 2-3 hours before bedtime could help. Does he like to swing or jump on a trampoline? Also, try to keep his room as dark as possible at night. Turn off all porch lights that may shine through his room; you could also invest in some darkening curtains, like the ones they use in hotel rooms; apply pressure to his back if he's a tummy sleeper, like a weighted blanket or you could lay with him with your arms over his back until he falls asleep, then put the weighted blanket over him. As far as vitamins and supplements, you could give him magnesium at bedtime or in the evening with his meds (if he takes meds). Magnesium is good for the brain and helps with sleep. You can purchase it at any pharmacy or a natural healthcare store. We give our daughter 250mg/day. Other Moms have also tried liquid calcium. It makes our daughter constipated so we don't give it to her, but many DAN doctors recommend it for help with sleep. Also try giving him fish oils and omega 3s, if you don't already. This helps with brain function, which can slow down hyperactivity. One last thing, and it's called A+ Attention, a natural remedy for hyperactivity and focus. They're small little tablets and all natural. You can get it at your local natural foods store. We give this to our daughter 3x/day, eventually it will hopefully replace the Ritalin we give her. She just started it about a week ago, so we're not seeing immediate results yet, but I will update you on how it's working. I hope this info helps you, and know you're not alone:-)

Kizzy - posted on 09/22/2011

I give my son melatonin and it is great

KELLEY - posted on 09/07/2011

I give my daughter Melatonin and it works wonders for sleeping

Alicia - posted on 08/30/2011

glad to hear you got some rest it really depends on what your son will respond to i gave everything a go until i found wot works gfor him, unfortunately theres no easy answer i have friends who use the weighted blankets but my son hasnt responded to it in the past good luck i hope u find something that works

Tina - posted on 08/29/2011

thanks for ur post well I am now rested lol and feel not so frantic. I think its insurcuerity that hes feeling I sleep with him he falls alseep almost right away I'm not sure how to solve this one but I work night I can't always sleep with him. Any suggestion? I've thought about a weighted blanket? Pros and cons to that?

Alicia - posted on 08/29/2011

i know exactly how you feel wen my son was 2 i was awake from 6am til 3am living on that much sleep is horrible i tried natural therapies before i went to pills aromatherapy, music therapy(relaxation music), deep massages. i found that my son didnt know how to unwind/shut off so i had to help him. it may not be much but i hope this may help good luck