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Sleep Settling Issue - Now I am desperate. What else can I try?

PieceofPie

Hi,

I know there is another thread on sleep issues at the moment, but didn't want to hijack the thread where someone else is asking for advice. I am however seriously desperate for advice on anything else I can try to help my son sleep.

My son is now 2yrs11 months and it takes him up to 3 hours to settle to sleep now. He is OBVIOUSLY tired, rubbing his eyes, yawning, etc., but seems unable to settle/switch off. He is suffering from this - he gets upset and frustrated and the days it takes him longest to settle, the next days are the worst in terms of behaviours and sensory issues. We have tried everything I can think of in terms of changes to the room/lighting/bedding/temperature/bedtime routine (obviously all done carefully and gradually to avoid confusion or distress)... I have attended seminars on sleep problems and found I have tried all the 'usual' stuff. The only thing we haven't tried in Melatonin and I want to be happy that a) we have tried all reasonable other options before we consider the medication, and b) that I have researched the supplements properly.

I have 2 questions.

1) What else can we try to help him - as it is causing him distress to struggle to sleep so much when he is tired I can't just 'leave it' as it is.

2) What reliable sources can I look at to research the use of Melatonin in young children? I don't want to 'medicate' my son if I can avoid it, but I also think we need to consider the benefits versus any downsides. I don't want to read any old quack's view, or any knee-jerk reactions, but rather a measured scientific/medical view.

I would be grateful for any views.

PoP

Parents

  • You don't mention what is included in the bed time routine, but we read to our children from a very young age. Quite long stories, if wide awake. If they lie down, and the light is low, they relax and a story is distracting. You may already do this, but it worked with my kids. The other thing we did was to sing. I knew every verse of the skye boat song when mine were small. It doesn't matter much what you sing, as long as it is quiet and soothing. Lullabyes are as old as the hills.

    Drugs need to be the last resort, I am oversensitive to drugs and react to otheringredients, it is a danger area to watch out for.

    Good luck, sleep problems seriously stretch your patience and stamina.

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  • You don't mention what is included in the bed time routine, but we read to our children from a very young age. Quite long stories, if wide awake. If they lie down, and the light is low, they relax and a story is distracting. You may already do this, but it worked with my kids. The other thing we did was to sing. I knew every verse of the skye boat song when mine were small. It doesn't matter much what you sing, as long as it is quiet and soothing. Lullabyes are as old as the hills.

    Drugs need to be the last resort, I am oversensitive to drugs and react to otheringredients, it is a danger area to watch out for.

    Good luck, sleep problems seriously stretch your patience and stamina.

Children
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