Sleeping Problem - Mandeville, LA

I too have a child that has a harder time going to sleep at night but when I cut out all caffeinated drinks by mid-afternoon, it helped tremendously. He now goes right to sleep. I also for him cut out all red colored drinks (like fruit punch) because they made him hyper.

Melatonin is great for sleep problems but I would recommend giving it 30-45 minutes before bedtime to get that sleepy feeling. It would also be worn off by time to wake. My cousin's child had to take this from about 5-9 yrs. old because he was not resting well at all and it was affecting him during the day. It didn't matter what time he woke or his daily activities, just could not rest well and sleep.

Hi C.,

Have you tried Melatonin? My 16 year old son has the same problem and Melatonin (it takes 10 mg to work for him) works safely. He's on a bunch of meds (special needs child) and it does not interfere with any of them. WalMart carries it in 3 and 5 mg tablets. It's worth a try.

Good luck.

W. Q

Which herbal remedies did you use? St. John's wort can make things worse.

Anyway, try neurofeedback. It's not herbal, it's...well, check out www.brainsync.com. Also, going to a neurofeedback clinic in your area would be very effective, too, and would work in the long term, while listening to a CD or mp3 player might only work on a nightly basis.

But using neurofeedback is cheap, safe, no side effects, and very effective.

I have an eight yr old daughter that also cannot get to sleep at night. I get her up early and try to keep her active during the day, but when it's bedtime (also at 9:30 in the summer) she cannot go to sleep. We talk, read, rub her legs with lotion until I am warn out, but she still has to read or just lay there until 11:30 - 12:00. Sorry I can't give you any advice, but I hope we get some suggestions. MC

I just wanted to add to the advice already given... please do not medicate her with anything more (herbal or otherwise) until you have consulted with her physician... there are so many people who use 'herbs' too casually - they are just as serious as prescription meds, and not nearly as well regulated! I would also agree that you probably need to have a second opinion about the current medication.

Hey C.,

I would think waking her earlier or having her lay in bed relaxed at night should help. We have to train our bodies.

However in your case, I would discuss the medication regimen with your doctor. My concern is that your child is taking Vyvanse and probably not being treated by the appropriate professional. I am guessing your daughter was prescribed the medication by a pediatrician. And that she probably never had psychological testing by a child psychologist who admisters several tools of testing to give the accurate diagnosis. Once a diagnosis is made, that paperwork is taken to a child psychiatrist who knows thier Psychotropic Medications and knows the doses used for children as most meds are not even approved for use in children.

To add to all that, my concern is warranted by the fact that you noted your daughter will be returning to school soon. And that this is summer break. Most pediatric/child psychiatrist wean from ADHD medications at beginning of summer and then build back to dose for school. It is a needed break, but also allows the child to continue with a normal growth pattern. Something your pediatrician is not likely to know about.

And to answer your original question, without knowing when the Vyvanse dose is being given, I am guessing the dose needs to be earlier in the morning, and if there is a 2nd dose, then moving both doses up, or halfing the second dose, so that she can fall asleep earlier. But of course talk to her doctor before making any changes yourself.

Hope this helps,
-MB