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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

  • Hi, thanks Marjorie. Yes we tell stories and I sing. It's been part of the bedtime routine for some time. This is done in a quiet, dark bedroom. We really have tried all the easy, obvious things. I went to a sleep seminar held by a local charity and it was full of things we had researched and tried. There was nothing they could suggest that we hadn't tried...but it wasn't specifically for asd children so was wondering what else to try that is more attuned at asd children than parents who find reinforcing a sensible bedtime routine difficult. We have, yesterday, found one thing that worked getting him to sleep in 5 minutes: a sensory therapy session that lasted one and half hours...but the session is obviously not practical on a daily basis...The OT is writing to us with some 'try at home' sensory suggestions. I think that is our last thing to try. It goes without saying that both my husband and I want the melatonin supplement to be a last resort. 

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  • Hi, thanks Marjorie. Yes we tell stories and I sing. It's been part of the bedtime routine for some time. This is done in a quiet, dark bedroom. We really have tried all the easy, obvious things. I went to a sleep seminar held by a local charity and it was full of things we had researched and tried. There was nothing they could suggest that we hadn't tried...but it wasn't specifically for asd children so was wondering what else to try that is more attuned at asd children than parents who find reinforcing a sensible bedtime routine difficult. We have, yesterday, found one thing that worked getting him to sleep in 5 minutes: a sensory therapy session that lasted one and half hours...but the session is obviously not practical on a daily basis...The OT is writing to us with some 'try at home' sensory suggestions. I think that is our last thing to try. It goes without saying that both my husband and I want the melatonin supplement to be a last resort. 

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