can you recommend a brand of probiotics and melatonin for 4yr old

[naturallymommy]

we've tried valerian root, it didn't work so now i wanna try melatonin for a good nights rest.  i've also read that giving probiotics to your child can help with behavior and overall health so what brand do you give?

 

[allnaturalmom]

We use Natren's Probiotics and recommend them highly. We're never without them. We've tried others and could tell a difference. 

gl

hth

[APToddlerMama]

We use Source Naturals Liquid Melatonin for our three year old.  We get it at Whole Foods or online.  For this particular brand, 1mg=1ml which is why I like it.  We only give DS 1/10th of a mg and it works like a charm within about 20 minutes.  There are people who give their kids a dose 50 times that.  I don't see the point when much less can frequently work wonders and high doses (or any at all really) can be dangerous.  The first time we gave my son .5 mg, he woke up vomitting and in a stupor. 

I would be really careful with the melatonin.  Even though our neurologist suggested it, I am really cautious with it.  I have read plenty that says it is "safe", but in the end, it is a hormone and isn't totally safe.  Kids can have seizures, etc. on it. 

What are you hoping to achieve by using it?  Does your child wake up still at night or have a hard time settling to go to bed?  Is he/she still napping?  I have read enough to concern me that we only use it when we are seriously desperate.  We cut naps before DS's 2nd birthday which helped a ton with bedtime.  I would go to great lengths to avoid the melatonin if possible.  That said, it can also be an absolute lifesaver and I don't know your situation so the benefits might definitely outweigh the risks too. Best of luck. 

[naturallymommy]

Originally Posted by APToddlerMama 

We use Source Naturals Liquid Melatonin for our three year old.  We get it at Whole Foods or online.  For this particular brand, 1mg=1ml which is why I like it.  We only give DS 1/10th of a mg and it works like a charm within about 20 minutes.  There are people who give their kids a dose 50 times that.  I don't see the point when much less can frequently work wonders and high doses (or any at all really) can be dangerous.  The first time we gave my son .5 mg, he woke up vomitting and in a stupor. 

I would be really careful with the melatonin.  Even though our neurologist suggested it, I am really cautious with it.  I have read plenty that says it is "safe", but in the end, it is a hormone and isn't totally safe.  Kids can have seizures, etc. on it. 

What are you hoping to achieve by using it?  Does your child wake up still at night or have a hard time settling to go to bed?  Is he/she still napping?  I have read enough to concern me that we only use it when we are seriously desperate.  We cut naps before DS's 2nd birthday which helped a ton with bedtime.  I would go to great lengths to avoid the melatonin if possible.  That said, it can also be an absolute lifesaver and I don't know your situation so the benefits might definitely outweigh the risks too. Best of luck. 

Thank you for all of the info!  He doesn't nap and usually goes to bed fine, but sometimes ds has night terrors it only happens like once or twice a month and nothing calms him down during or after so I would only use it then.  I wasn't aware of all of those risks I've heard a lot of good things about it on here so thanks for telling me.

 

[naturallymommy]

Originally Posted by allnaturalmom 

We use Natren's Probiotics and recommend them highly. We're never without them. We've tried others and could tell a difference. 

gl

hth

thanks!

 

[APToddlerMama]

Originally Posted by naturallymommy 

Thank you for all of the info!  He doesn't nap and usually goes to bed fine, but sometimes ds has night terrors it only happens like once or twice a month and nothing calms him down during or after so I would only use it then.  I wasn't aware of all of those risks I've heard a lot of good things about it on here so thanks for telling me.

 

ooooh, eek!  I would definitely not use it then.  Melatonin is known to cause night terrors actually.  I have no experience dealing with night terrors, but I have heard from friends that consistently waking kids up like 30 minutes after they fall asleep for a few nights in a row can stop them.  I don't know the details but maybe you can google it.  Good luck!

[naturallymommy]

Originally Posted by APToddlerMama 

ooooh, eek!  I would definitely not use it then.  Melatonin is known to cause night terrors actually.  I have no experience dealing with night terrors, but I have heard from friends that consistently waking kids up like 30 minutes after they fall asleep for a few nights in a row can stop them.  I don't know the details but maybe you can google it.  Good luck!

thank you so much!  i'll try the waking him up a half hour after sleep :)