Re: Barb R...One more suggestion...

[Guest guest]

I have to say that after reading so much about melatonin, I did some

research on it and decided to try it while we were away too. It seems

mercury disrupts the pineal gland, the only function of which is to secrete

melatonin. My 3 y/o PDD has always been a light sleeper, and I never even

tried putting him to bed unless he was looking tired, but since he stopped

napping, he is pretty good about going down at 8 o'clock with his brothers.

My problem sleeper has always been my oldest, now 7. We always had trouble

getting him to stay in his room, and he always had some excuse for getting

up. Our most recent tact was to just let him lay quietly on the couch while

one of us was working on the computer or reading, and he usually went right

off to sleep. Well on vacation I tried 1/2 to 1 mg of melatonin a half hour

before bedtime, and he would say how tired he felt, and wanted to go to bed.

Once in bed, he was asleep in minutes, and slept through the night. He seems

to sleep more restfully now too, without all the noisy teeth grinding and

crying out.

Also, as for jumping, (I apologize if this has been said already, but I came

in late on this discussion), my little guy loves jumping and his favorite

activity was to jump off the arms or back of the couch. He sprained his

ankle before he was two. We had a very good OT who told us that this was a

craving for proprioceptive and joint compression sensations. A

mini-trampoline worked wonders. I'm not sure if it is because it's

summertime and we are not home as much, but he doesn't jump off the

furniture anymore. I was corresponding w/ someone who stated how much

brushing therapy calmed down her son. We had done that briefly, and then

stopped. I restarted a few days ago, and 's ABA teacher said he was

much more focused and on task. Not to mention that he loves it, and it is

something I can do with him that he actually likes! So I think we will

commit to this but you have to do it every two hours for it to be effective.

Kathy

Re: Barb R...One more suggestion...

>

>Barb R.:

> If your daughter is really wound up at night and/or waking up, it might

>be worth investigating why this is...? Are you giving her any vitamins or

>supplements in the afternoon? Just a thought....

> Anyway, I have a suggestion. MELATONIN. You can buy this at any health

>food store. Try crushing up a 2 mg. tablet into some applesauce or pudding,

>etc. and feeding this to her about 30- 45 min. before bedtime. For most

kids

>who take this, you get two great effects: 1) they get really calm and

sleepy,

>then " crash " like a rock off a building, and 2) it's a very good

antioxidant

>(i.e.: helps kids detox nasty stuff out of their systems). You can even ask

>for this in a " timed-release " version, so she stays asleep all night long.

>Give this a try, and I hope you all start to have easier bedtimes and more

>restful sleep...

>Nitey-nite!

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 10/22/00 2:15:07 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

KenandJane@... writes:

<< ,

Is 2 mg a good dosage for a 6 year old who is 40-45 pounds? I'm going to

try this with my daughter. Can you mix it in juice?

>>

I would stick with 1 mg. up to maybe about 60 lb kids. OK, Dr. Carly can

check me on that! I don't think you can crush this up and mix it in juice.

I have purchased a descent-tasting liquid version of melatonin which has been

a godsend. My son will take anything off a spoon, but we're still working on

that tablet swallowing thing. I'll have to dig up the company's order info.

and post it again.

[Guest guest]

Re: Barb R...One more suggestion...

Barb R.:

If your daughter is really wound up at night and/or waking up, it might

be worth investigating why this is...? Are you giving her any vitamins or

supplements in the afternoon? Just a thought....

Anyway, I have a suggestion. MELATONIN. You can buy this at any health

food store. Try crushing up a 2 mg. tablet into some applesauce or pudding,

etc. and feeding this to her about 30- 45 min. before bedtime. For most kids

who take this, you get two great effects: 1) they get really calm and

sleepy,

then " crash " like a rock off a building, and 2) it's a very good antioxidant

(i.e.: helps kids detox nasty stuff out of their systems). You can even ask

for this in a " timed-release " version, so she stays asleep all night long.

Give this a try, and I hope you all start to have easier bedtimes and more

restful sleep...

Nitey-nite!

,

Is 2 mg a good dosage for a 6 year old who is 40-45 pounds? I'm going to

try this with my daughter. Can you mix it in juice?

Jane

[Guest guest]

To those who's children have trouble falling asleep and won't tolerate a

ground up pill, you can also buy liquid melatonin at the health food store.

I give my 42 pound son 1tspn. at nite 30 min. before bed. He has been taking

it for almost a year, so we gradually increased to 1 tspn. we started with

like 2 squirts which knocked him out nicely.

Michele