Children prescribed melatonin.
Hi mums and dads.
Just looking for some others experiences with their children being perscibed melatonin. What was the reason for the prescription? Has it helped? What effects have you noticed it has had on their sleep and behavior?
Any experiences would be greatly appreciated. ??
5 Replies
Sleep :) the reason for the prescription was to help with sleep. Brought sleep forward to a more age appropriate time slot. Had the bonus of less sleep deprived child so less grumpy, happier and behaviour improvement.
Melatonin is naturally occurring in the brain, it's the substance that tells your brain when to go to sleep.
Thanks for the reply! How old is you child and how long have they been taking it??
He's actually an adult now, was taking it as a child. About 12 years ago. There are two types. Slow release (for those who wake in the night and have trouble resettling) and short release for people who have trouble getting to sleep initially.
It's relatively safe and not a traditional sleep drug (so there is no hang over). It only does what the brain should be doing.
My daughter was on melatonin about 6 months ago. She was waking a lot during the night, and we were having problems with behavior and grades dropping. It help for about a week and that was it. Otherwise no side affects.
My daughter suffers from anxiety and has done since she was very little. She wasn't going to sleep until very late and an adult had to be with her. We were prescribed Melatonin and the effects were instant and fantastic. Her little brain just can't relax so it helps her to get to sleep. She has been on it for many years now and I'm not sure of the long term effects, but it has changed her life and ours for the better.