Has anyone here used melatonin on their LO?
Not looking for arguments against it - we've tried everything at this point and the two nights she had it (in Zarbee's) she slept til 5:15 and then 6 am. That is UNHEARD of here! I bought the Zarbee's gentle sleep melatonin and I plan to give it a shot to at least try to reset her sleep schedule.
pomegranate / 3845 posts
We've used it but I'm kind of meh about it. I don't think it really helps him too much.
coconut / 8279 posts
Yes!
I use it when we travel. We used to have J up until 3/4am in hotel rooms, simply would not sleep. It would completely ruin the next day and make the time away total bust.
A friend suggested it and I checked with our ped. Works like a charm.
blogger / grapefruit / 4836 posts
My pediatrician specifically said not to use it for our 2 year old and suggested benadryl instead. I'm not exactly sure why though. The benadryl saved our lives when lo was in a really rough overtired/not sleeping phase.
pineapple / 12234 posts
Yep! DS's ped actually recommended Benadryl or melatonin. He was 5 though so O probably can't have Benadryl yet? There wasn't a huge improvement, honestly. A friend mentioned that low glucose levels could be the reason he was waking. I read more about it and I started giving him a complex carb and protein right before bed. Usually peanut butter whole wheat toast. And he slept! Until 6! Sometimes I forget to give him a snack right before bed and he wakes up at 4
I've also heard that magnesium can help naturally calm children and help them sleep. I picked up a liquid multivitamin called Kids Calm (a lot of the reviewers saw a difference in their hyper active children). I think it's helping with his sleep, maybe? I've been willing to try anything since I haven't really slept in seven years 
hostess / watermelon / 14932 posts
@HLK208: wowww. I have NEVER even considered that! she always gets in our bed and demands a show and a snack. I chalked it up to basic being hungry when you wake up sort of thing, but you could be on to something! she's so picky, though..hm.
she isn't "supposed" to have benadryl but the doctor told us to give it to her when she was 2.5 ish (?) for a cold - 5 ml/1 tsp. So that's the dose I still use as needed.
eggplant / 11408 posts
@HLK208: I think I've heard good things about the adult version of that!
@sorrycharlie: there are safe doses of Benadryl for younger kids, though. G takes it when she has an allergic reaction, per the ped.
clementine / 878 posts
We used melatonin when traveling for jet lag and it worked! I've heard of magnesium but haven't tried that.
wonderful grape / 20453 posts
@sorrycharlie: when I saw a nutritionist, I often complained of nighttime hunger-I was eating protein and veggies but little carbs. Or just yogurt-all protein and carb. Rounding out my meals with protein, fat, and complex carbs helps satiate me a lot better!
grapefruit / 4418 posts
I'd try a snack before bed first. DD always demanded to eat the minute she woke up (superrrrrr early!) since we have been doing a bedtime snack she's slept later most days and even when she wakes up later, she doesn't demand food right away. She wakes up in a much better mood, too.
grapefruit / 4545 posts
We just used Zarbees night time cough for the first time and I got the ok from pediatrician and two nurse friends (DD is 2.5).
My DD is never a really cuddly clingy lay down and watch a movie kid - except with zarbees.
We have used benedryl and never noticed a drowsy side effect - not hyper either as some report.
I totally think it was the melatonin. I plan to keep it on hand for 1) coughs and 2) travel/disrupted schedules. She didn't sleep any longer but that isn't/wasn't our issue...just getting to sleep!
nectarine / 2521 posts
We tried it after a vacation and LO was having a lot of trouble falling asleep. Our pediatrician recommended it and I had a lot of moms tell me it worked great for them. We noticed zero difference and stopped after 2 nights. 
However, like @Mrs D: mentioned - it is good for getting you to GO to sleep, but does not help you stay asleep.
squash / 13208 posts
@sorrycharlie: agree with @Mrs D: @Tanjowen: Melatonin helps you fall asleep it doesn't make you sleep longer.
So if you are only trying to help her sleep later I would try a snack before bed or magnesium supplement
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