I was wondering if there are any natural ways of boosting melatonin production in a child without giving it as a supplement.
My 5 1/2 year old daughter has had sleep issues from day 1. She just can't seem to settle into sleep even when she is very tired. From the time she was an infant it would take me an average of 45 to get her to sleep every single time, and often times much longer.
Now it still takes me about 30-45 min each night to get her to sleep even when she is obviously tired.
We have tried so many things - magnesium, essential oils, bedtime routines, earlier bedtime, later bedtimes, lullaby CDs, noise machines, etc etc etc
We just traveled across 7 time zones so I decided to give her a small dose of melatonin last night and tonight to help her adjust, so I gave her .5 mg. She was asleep in less than 5 minutes. that NEVER happens, even when she is exhausted.
I am truly amazed, but reading through a few things I am concerned about giving it to her long term.
It makes me wonder if for some reason her body is just not producing enough melatonin naturally for her to fall asleep easily.
I don't like just giving a supplement to treat the symptoms without addressing the cause.
Is there any way to help her body produce more melatonin without supplementing?
I have to say I am concerned about how well it worked because I really want to give it to her every night - as any parent of a difficult sleeper knows, I have spent several months of my life just trying to help my girl sleep! And to have her asleep in 5 minutes was absolutely exhilarating. However I am not sure if it is in her best interest to use it all the time.
A friend of mine said she gives it to her daughter once every week or two just to "reset" her system.
Any thoughts?
My 5 1/2 year old daughter has had sleep issues from day 1. She just can't seem to settle into sleep even when she is very tired. From the time she was an infant it would take me an average of 45 to get her to sleep every single time, and often times much longer.
Now it still takes me about 30-45 min each night to get her to sleep even when she is obviously tired.
We have tried so many things - magnesium, essential oils, bedtime routines, earlier bedtime, later bedtimes, lullaby CDs, noise machines, etc etc etc
We just traveled across 7 time zones so I decided to give her a small dose of melatonin last night and tonight to help her adjust, so I gave her .5 mg. She was asleep in less than 5 minutes. that NEVER happens, even when she is exhausted.
I am truly amazed, but reading through a few things I am concerned about giving it to her long term.
It makes me wonder if for some reason her body is just not producing enough melatonin naturally for her to fall asleep easily.
I don't like just giving a supplement to treat the symptoms without addressing the cause.
Is there any way to help her body produce more melatonin without supplementing?
I have to say I am concerned about how well it worked because I really want to give it to her every night - as any parent of a difficult sleeper knows, I have spent several months of my life just trying to help my girl sleep! And to have her asleep in 5 minutes was absolutely exhilarating. However I am not sure if it is in her best interest to use it all the time.
A friend of mine said she gives it to her daughter once every week or two just to "reset" her system.
Any thoughts?