https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 04 Apr 2026 01:22:57 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-try-before-resorting-to-melatonin#post-2709853 Mon, 13 Mar 2017 20:10:38 +0000 knittylady 2709853@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Baby Boy Mom: @keepcalmcarrie: I hadn't realized there was a connection between cow's milk and sleeplessness! DS has a thermos of milk during story time - I thought it would be a good way to wind down... Thinking I'll swap for almond milk for a few weeks to see if there's a difference... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-try-before-resorting-to-melatonin#post-2709851 Mon, 13 Mar 2017 20:05:45 +0000 keepcalmcarrie 2709851@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would say we use melatonin about half the time with my 4 year old, and have been using it that way for the past 6 months. </p> <p>We have no screen time for at least 3 hours before bed, dinner at 5:30, bath around 6, jammies and stories between 6:30-7, and then bed between 7-7:30. No nap, and he is incredibly overtired by 6:45ish. My husband lays with him until he falls asleep because he has a rough time on his own, but he is out in 5 minutes (at most) if we give melatonin during bath time. I will do the same with my 2 year old and newborn once they hit 3 year old if they have similar sleep issues, because the benefits in terms of a well-rested kiddo are immeasurable.</p> <p>We tried essential oil, cut dairy, had more outdoor time, etc before trying it. Some kids just have trouble with sleep and need that help, I think. I'm a huge fan of melatonin now. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-try-before-resorting-to-melatonin#post-2709821 Mon, 13 Mar 2017 18:54:29 +0000 SweetiePie 2709821@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What about an herbal sleepy tea for kids? This one is good for 2+. (No actual experience for kids, but I use the adult one for myself). </p> <p><a href="https://www.iherb.com/pr/Traditional-Medicinals-Organic-Just-for-Kids-Nighty-Night-Calming-and-Relaxing-Tea-18-Wrapped-Tea-Bags-96-oz-27-g/41473?gclid=COSg2NPV1NICFYaEswodL4oDcA" rel="nofollow">https://www.iherb.com/pr/Traditional-Medicinals-Organic-Just-for-Kids-Nighty-Night-Calming-and-Relaxing-Tea-18-Wrapped-Tea-Bags-96-oz-27-g/41473?gclid=COSg2NPV1NICFYaEswodL4oDcA</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-try-before-resorting-to-melatonin#post-2709190 Sun, 12 Mar 2017 20:34:50 +0000 winniebee 2709190@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It sounds like he is overtired. I would try earlier bed time -- even if ty doesn't fall asleep right away, he is much more calm and go with the flow if we start bed time earlier. He's a year older than your son and we aim to have him sleeping at 815/830 and he sleeps until 7 or 730. We head up for bath at 7. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-try-before-resorting-to-melatonin#post-2709122 Sun, 12 Mar 2017 17:09:58 +0000 Baby Boy Mom 2709122@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would explore diet changes. As an example in one LO dairy causes wakefulness (and no other discernible symptoms in the short term). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-try-before-resorting-to-melatonin#post-2709101 Sun, 12 Mar 2017 16:08:30 +0000 littlejoy 2709101@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Canoli: We do lavender + peppermint + lemon every night, and while I don't think it helps a ton with sleep, I do think it really helps with seasonal allergies. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-try-before-resorting-to-melatonin#post-2709100 Sun, 12 Mar 2017 16:07:41 +0000 littlejoy 2709100@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When our LO turned 2, sleep went from bad to HORRIBLE. We tried everything you mentioned ... plus essential oils, magnesium, massage, us laying with her, etc. </p> <p>Her doc finally suggested melatonin, as it was clear to her that our LO wasn't producing enough on her own. We used it for 7 days straight, and then we were told to use it no more than 3 days in a row, as needed. It took about 3 months of that 7 days on, a few days off + a few days on (no more than 1 7 day stretch per month) for us to feel like *maybe* her body was starting to produce it on its own (or that she was just used to that new schedule). </p> <p>We use BioGenesis Liposomal Melatonin Drops - 1/4 of the dose recommendation on the bottle. It's been about 4 weeks since we used it last, so it really is getting better. GOOD LUCK!!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-try-before-resorting-to-melatonin#post-2709091 Sun, 12 Mar 2017 15:39:16 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2709091@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Blue: thanks. Ours is just hit or miss. Honestly usually around the full moon. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-try-before-resorting-to-melatonin#post-2709090 Sun, 12 Mar 2017 15:38:26 +0000 Mrs. Blue 2709090@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T.H.O.U.: our pedi said up to 3 mg (and they are in the same general weight bracket as your LO). We often only give 1.5 mg because it is very effective on them even at that dose. She also said to give it about 45 minutes before they should go to sleep. I've read that it helps some people and not others, so it may just not work well on your LO. Sleep issues are so frustrating. I'm sorry you are dealing with it. If it's not helping,&amp; definitely would check with your pedi about a maximum dose or anything else you might try. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-try-before-resorting-to-melatonin#post-2709088 Sun, 12 Mar 2017 15:10:55 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2709088@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Blue: can I ask what dose you use for their weight? My 2.5 is big at 38lbs and it's not really effecting him. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-try-before-resorting-to-melatonin#post-2708986 Sun, 12 Mar 2017 00:00:34 +0000 birdofafeather 2708986@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Canoli: lavender essential oil really helps My LOs and myself! I put a couple drops into their nighttime lotion! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-try-before-resorting-to-melatonin#post-2708985 Sat, 11 Mar 2017 23:59:13 +0000 Mrs. Blue 2708985@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We tried changing various things in their routines, essential oils, some "natural" sleep products for kids, tried earlier bedtimes, later bedtimes, and finally talked to our pedi about it. It was taking them 2-3 plus hours to go to sleep. Initially, she had us try it for 4-6 weeks to try to reset their sleep cycles. It was amazing how well it worked as far as them actually getting sleepy, which literally NEVER happened otherwise. After that period of time, we took them off to see if it helped, and they went right back to their precious inability to wind down. Now they take it every night, with our pedis blessing. I hate to do that, but in the end, I feel like it's better for them to take melatonin (in a very small dose and without resisting ifnthey wake up later at night), then to be chronically overtired alllll the time.</p> <p>Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-try-before-resorting-to-melatonin#post-2708949 Sat, 11 Mar 2017 20:29:30 +0000 Canoli 2708949@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What about trying to diffuse essential oils such as Lavender? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-try-before-resorting-to-melatonin#post-2708946 Sat, 11 Mar 2017 20:14:46 +0000 maddyz 2708946@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>a good run around might help, maybe if it's not outside and pre dinner dance party that really gets all the wiggles out? I was the kind of kid who needed to really use my body to calm down at night. I am still like that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-try-before-resorting-to-melatonin#post-2708937 Sat, 11 Mar 2017 19:39:39 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2708937@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Is he over tired? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-try-before-resorting-to-melatonin#post-2708934 Sat, 11 Mar 2017 19:20:37 +0000 knittylady 2708934@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just switched out his lamp which I've always thought was too bright for a super dim one.. will introduce songs and rocking tonight! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-try-before-resorting-to-melatonin#post-2708933 Sat, 11 Mar 2017 19:19:56 +0000 knittylady 2708933@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Kemma: not in the winter- we live in Maine :/ </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-try-before-resorting-to-melatonin#post-2708924 Sat, 11 Mar 2017 18:48:16 +0000 Kemma 2708924@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Does he get lots of outdoor time and physical activity? My kids always fall asleep earlier / faster when they've spent a good amount of time tearing around outside in the late afternoon. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-try-before-resorting-to-melatonin#post-2708827 Sat, 11 Mar 2017 13:00:14 +0000 SweetCaroline 2708827@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Natural Calm or another type of magnesium. Also, can you sing a couple of songs in the dark after stories? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-try-before-resorting-to-melatonin#post-2708822 Sat, 11 Mar 2017 12:27:32 +0000 mrswin 2708822@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@knittylady: I am wondering if he needs a longer time to wind down. My DD is only 2 but she needs a prolonged wind down in order to be able to fall asleep easily. </p> <p>We do almost the same routine that you have except that after brushing teeth we turn off the lights and rock her for a couple minutes. We also dim her bedroom lights when we are getting her ready for bed and reading books as a signal that it is time to settle down. </p> <p>Instead of stories in bed could you just sign some quiet songs with the lights out? Maybe some back rubs, anything to help him calm his body. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-try-before-resorting-to-melatonin#post-2708818 Sat, 11 Mar 2017 12:01:18 +0000 knittylady 2708818@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Bath, milk, stories in chair, brush teeth, stories in bed. No tv for at least an hour leading up. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-try-before-resorting-to-melatonin#post-2708813 Sat, 11 Mar 2017 11:51:50 +0000 mrswin 2708813@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@knittylady: what is your routine leading up to stories? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-try-before-resorting-to-melatonin#post-2708799 Sat, 11 Mar 2017 10:24:49 +0000 knittylady 2708799@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My 3.75 year old is having trouble winding down for bed. We lay in bed to read stories and his legs are just moving and picking the whole time or he can't stop talking over stories. He doesn't nap and his awake time before starting stories is 13 hours... I'm thinking about asking the ped about occasional melatonin use but want to exhaust other ideas first- particularly the idea that we just haven't enforced limits enough with him. I don't mind at all if he's still awake when we're done with stories and I leave, but whereas I used to be able to leave him awake he now cries and yells for me to come back for more stories or to lay with him...</p> <p>Thoughts? </p>