So, we’ve had the liquid form melatonin for just about a week—long enough for the boys to have gotten used to it. The delivery arrived just in time to get them on the sleep schedule they need to be ready to start school.
I am very impressed with the results. The boys are calming down and sleeping much better at night. Not only that, but—after only a few days of taking melatonin—they are ready for bed at an appropriate time. I give them each a dose of melatonin, and by the time I’m ready to put them to bed—about twenty to thirty minutes later—they are going upstairs nicely and climbing eagerly into bed. This is a fabulous change, since I used to have to herd the boys up the stairs—sometimes carrying one or both of the little ones—and then wrestle them into bed. And still they wouldn’t stay there, so I’d camp out between their rooms for an hour or three until they finally fell asleep. Melatonin has changed that! Last night Ben was even curled up and drowsing on one of the downstairs couches before it was even time for bed—though I think that might be because he’s fighting off his first cold of the season.
Melatonin has been a great relief. Not only does it work once the boys are actually dosed, the dosing is much easier than I expected. The liquid form can be diluted in a small bit of milk or other beverage—Ben prefers Dr. Pepper over milk, silly guy that he is—and they drink it with little resistance, though it does require monitoring. Willy is actually excited to take it and wants to make sure he gets to help with the dropper!
The only downside is that it doesn’t seem to carry over in the sense that it creates a sleep habit. At least, it doesn’t help me to create a sleep habit. I took melatonin two days in a row and was on a regular sleep schedule—going to bed at night and waking up in the morning. Then, I didn’t take it two nights in a row and just kept going and going like I usually do. Luckily, when I took melatonin last night, it helped me sleep and I woke up fine in the morning. So, it works—it just doesn’t create a sleep habit that allows me to maintain a schedule without it. At least not after two days of use. So, I have to be sure we have a steady supply of melatonin for each week.
Overall, I’m impressed. I appreciate the benefits to my family and hopes it keeps working this well over the long haul. I’m glad I tried it. I still retain my skepticism regarding the popularity of experimenting on children using various over-the-counter remedies. But I also think that when a problem gets severe enough, trying remedies used by a large network of trustworthy individuals is an appropriate step. The bottom-line, for me, is to remember that all these drugs on the market are, above all else, powerful and incompletely understood. It’s not something to play around with “just in case it works.” But taking a cautious, rational approach can allow us skeptics to make use of these drugs, while still preserving the long-term welfare of our children.
Apparently I spoke too soon. Tonight, when I tried to dose him, Ben refused to drink it and ended spilling the cup of melatonin mixed with Dr. Pepper on me. Have I ever mentioned I hate being sticky?
Erg!
Glad it helps. It should help to establish a regular sleep schedule, given time. On my bottle, it says “Limit use to 2 months, with a break of 1 week.” Gotta be a reason for that, and that suggestion should probably be different for kids.
Myself, I don’t really care when I sleep, but I try to get to bed before sun-up. I usually only take the stuff when I need to get up early for something.
And I can’t stand anything sticky on my skin.
I’m glad it has been working…sorry for the spill though
I used it because my pediatrician recommended it..I can’t thank him enough. I wouldn’t have known about it if it weren’t for him.
I did google melatonin, and suggest you do too, Stephanie, if you haven’t already. There may be side effects, as with any drug. And it is NOT recommended for longer than 2 months, as Clay said. It is a naturally occuring hormone in one’s body, but artificially created for this use. Maybe the boys natural production of melatonin is off, and that is related to their autisim? At any rate, lets hope that it does help create a sleep schedule for them before the two months is up!
I am watching for side effects. I’m also using it as per a perscription, though I recently found a lotion which we’re using instead of the liquid. I intend to speak with the doctor who perscribed it (from the Feeding Clinic) at our next appointment.
Melatonin has been a godsend for us. We spent 4 sleepless, routine-less years before it. We get it in chewable form from Kirkman Labs (casein, gluten, corn free) and my son chews 2mg about 30 mins before bedtime. and he sleeps. finally. I’m convinced that his brain just doesn’t make enough of it. His behavior has changed too – probably because his sleep is less restless. I don’t know about the two month limit, but if it’s something his body is producing anyway, but just not enough, I’m ok with supplementing it for now until he can regulate himself.
Good luck.
Hello Alysia,
My youngest two children are extremely picky about what they put in their bodies. Alex is doing well with the lotion, but Ben seems to be resisting the effects of the melatonin. Whether it’s the lotion, the pill, or the liquid. It worked for a while, then he tried not to take it, and now he seems to resist its effects.
I’m at a loss for what to do with him!
But I have heard good things about the chewables. I know one family that has some chewables, but the mother doesn’t know where the father got them–so she doesn’t know how to replace them. I’ll pass your comment along and see if it helps her find it again.