Melatonin? Sleep deprivation..help!

[micah_mae_]

I've seen threads about melatonin on mothering before but I can't find any! My son is 16 months and 30 lbs. The last 2 nights he has been waking up every 20-30 minutes. I am so far beyond exhausted. I woke up this morning feeling sick from sleep deprivation. I can't eat for fear of puking. And I'm 11 weeks pregnant.
We have not changed anything about his routine, naptime or bedtime. We cosleep. I have no idea what's going on!
I was thinking of giving him some melatonin for a few days to see if that helps the situation and gets us some much needed sleep. I don't want him to be on it for longer than maybe a week or 2. Just enough to reset his clock and remind him what night time is for!
So my questions are... 1) Is this a terrible idea? 2) What dosage would be best for his size?

TIA

[Jend1002]

I have discussed melatonin use with my pediatrician and have done some research myself, although I haven't tried it with DS. I did go back a re-read an email from my pediatrician who suggested that I can give my son (who is 27 pounds and 18 months old) 1 mg for 3 nights and could gradually increase to up to 3 mg. She said that she has seen positive effects from its use.

I don't know if your circumstance warrants its use though - I hear you on being sleep deprived! But since you say it only has happened for the last 2 nights, I would think maybe there is something else going on. Could he be getting molars, coming down with something, etc? I would try to rule these things out because suddenly waking with that frequency seems like something is going on. Trust me though - I do feel your pain!

[micah_mae_]

Originally Posted by Jend1002

I don't know if your circumstance warrants its use though - I hear you on being sleep deprived! But since you say it only has happened for the last 2 nights, I would think maybe there is something else going on. Could he be getting molars, coming down with something, etc? I would try to rule these things out because suddenly waking with that frequency seems like something is going on. Trust me though - I do feel your pain!

I've tried to figure it out..he's already got his 1 year molars. His canine(?) teeth look like they may be coming down but he never did this with his molars! I though molars were the worst?
He doesn't seem to be sick.
He has been super whiny during the day though. To the point that DH is getting angry at him because he can't just relax.
I did notice that after giving him a piece of fruit leather he perked up and quit whining for a bit. That made me wonder about his blood sugar. But he eats all day long!

[Louisep]

I would wait it out a bit more. Melatonin is for kids who have chronic trouble sleeping and is used to kick start their sleep rhythms. It is linked with depression which is why I decided not to use it with my chronically poor sleeper.

The eye teeth can be the worst and take awhile to come through. Have you tried giving him ibuprofen? I'd do that as a first course of action over melatonin. Could it be an ear infection? Maybe get him checked out?

[micah_mae_]

Originally Posted by Louisep

I would wait it out a bit more. Melatonin is for kids who have chronic trouble sleeping and is used to kick start their sleep rhythms. It is linked with depression which is why I decided not to use it with my chronically poor sleeper.

The eye teeth can be the worst and take awhile to come through. Have you tried giving him ibuprofen? I'd do that as a first course of action over melatonin. Could it be an ear infection? Maybe get him checked out?

I had no idea that the eye teeth could be worse than the molars, and when I thought I was in the clear too!
I wondered about an ear infection but he doesn't have a fever..
I will definitely be trying ibuprofen tonight, maybe some camimilia (sp?) too. Hmm. Thanks so much for the help! You made me feel better for sure.

[Louisep]

I *think* ear infections are not always accompanied by a fever. At any rate, just keep an eye on him - it doesn't sound like a sleep regression to me - so sudden and waking too frequently. The whining in the day is tell tale too. Have you given him Camilla in the day?

[echoecho1528]

I used melatonin for myself and my DD (at about 20 mo) for a period of about 2 weeks at one point. I would advise against it. Although it helped us both to fall asleep quicker, it did not help to keep her asleep for any longer. The worst was that I had a terrible bout of depression during that time and noticed DD's mood swings were more extreme. Our moods seemed to go back to normal after discontinuation of the melatonin.

[Kiwiontheloose]

Anyone got any links for the side effects of melatonin? I would be interested to know.

Also - has anyone used Tart Cherry Juice? its apparently got naturally high levels of melatonin. Wondering if this also has side effects too. (can't find anything by googling "side effects of tart cherry juice).

[LaydieBugs]

I'm a big self-medicator and insomniac and wouldn't use melatonin without checking with a doc (preferably naturopath). As someone mentioned, depression is a common side effect. The 1-3mg dosing is pretty high for a little one too.

I'd try 5-HTP before I tried melatonin - it is what your body uses to make more melatonin, and other neurotransmitters (such as those that get boosted by sugar), and is less likely to unbalance the whole system.

But before I tried 5-HTP on a child I'd try homeopathics. There is a sleepy one for children here: http://www.birthandbaby.com/shop/categories/16.

Still, I'd try a lot of other things before any kind of medication, even if it is natural. Some suggestions:

-- Read info on sleep hygiene, could be he needs a change in habits
-- Consider whether you and he are winding each other up, feeding off each others' restlessness and stress about sleeping well
-- Take something yourself before giving something to him; maybe he'll sleep better if you are
-- Try to have him eat a balance of protein/fat/carb each time he eats (easier said than done I know) to stay stable day and night (could be he's vaguely hungry at night). Hit protein especially before bed. Having sugar causes blood sugar to raise at first, but then drop drastically and cause the sensation of being hungry. Protein and healthy fat quiet the feeling of hunger. (milk before bed helps not just from the tryptophan but from being well balanced protein-carb-fat)
-- Consider whether he's getting enough of all his nutrients. Essential fats, magnesium, and calcium have things to do with sleep and ability to self-regulate.

And it might just be a developmental phase. Sometimes the growing brains get a huge surge of activity, without having developed the ability to regulate that activity, so they're just wound! Happens off and on till we're 25. External habits and good nutrition help work through the phases.

[Jend1002]

Originally Posted by LaydieBugs

I'm a big self-medicator and insomniac and wouldn't use melatonin without checking with a doc (preferably naturopath). As someone mentioned, depression is a common side effect. The 1-3mg dosing is pretty high for a little one too.

Me too (self medicator and insomniac!) but I agree - I thought 1-3mg was high too. My ped. made this recommendation, but I chose not to try it because my gut said no.

OP - how was last night? Have you tried any teething remedies and seen any improvement? Fingers crossed for you!

[LadyCatherine185]

From everyting I've read, melatonin will only help him fall asleep faster, not stay asleep.

[micah_mae_]

Thanks everyone! We got an ok night of sleep last night..he woke up about 6 hours after we gave him motrin. So we gave him another dose and some orajel. It took him 2 hours to go back to sleep but besides that it was decent.