Hope For Children With Insomnia

Is there anything worse than a child who can't get to sleep? Okay, maybe a relentlessly crying kid who is having a temper tantrum in public. But for parents of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) who can't fall asleep easily, there could be a new solution: melatonin.

A new study published recently analyzed reams of data on the efficacy and safety of melatonin for treating insomnia in children with ADHD and the authors indicate it can be a safe and helpful way to improve the falling-asleep process for these young insomniacs. Here is what they found:

• Melatonin is a hormone your body produces to help it regulate your sleep-wake cycles; it usually starts pumping out of your pineal gland after it has become dark outside and your body prepares for bedtime. When melatonin levels in the blood rise, you begin to feel less alert and sleep becomes more inviting.
• Children with ADHD usually have trouble falling asleep, which can have tremendous consequences to both their health and family life. Less sleep means a less-than-optimal refreshment of the brain and body during the night.
• Giving 3 to 6 mg of melatonin within a few hours of bedtime has been shown to help kids with ADHD overcome some of their insomnia and improve their sleep. "Kids" in most cases reviewed in the study meant six to 14 years of age.

But hold on: There were several things about this study that would make me not just jump on the bandwagon to try Melatonin in kids:

• Melatonin is a hormone, most kids produce plenty of Melatonin, it just might not be at the time of day when parents want them to go to sleep.
• We have no idea what Melatonin will do to kids over the long term.
• A dosage of 3-6mg is between 3 and 6 times the dose that is needed in adults - could this be an over dosage?

While this research is very important in our understanding of ADHD and sleep, I would not consider placing a child on Melatonin without working with both a sleep specialist and the child's pediatrician. There's a lot to be said for instilling good sleep hygiene habits in your kids early on. They should be adhering to a pretty strict routine every night that has them:

• Performing the same bedtime routine every night (winding down, getting ready for bed, brushing teeth, being read to or reading on their own, etc.).
• Going to bed at the same time 7 days a week.
• Avoiding stimulants within (at least!) an hour of bedtime. This includes electronics and digital media like the television, computer, and cell phone.

If your kids don't currently keep a regular bedtime routine, start there. The best prescription for a good night's sleep could be in your children's habits--regardless of any other condition like ADHD. Besides, who wants their children to have trouble sleeping before they even reach the throes of those oft sleep-deprived teen years? They need all the sleep they can get.

Sweet Dreams,  

Michael J. Breus, PhD

The Sleep Doctor™
www.thesleepdoctor.com

Follow me on Twitter:   http://twitter.com/thesleepdoctor

This post about children, sleep and melatonin is also available at Dr. Breus's official blog, The Insomnia Blog.

 

 

 

Follow Dr. Michael J. Breus on Twitter: www.twitter.com/thesleepdoctor

Comments

[MNmommy]

04:43 PM on 03/08/2010

Melatonin is also being used to help children with pediatric bipolar disorder.

I'd say it's definitely a preferable alternative to an atypical antipsychotic, if it works for your child.

[Kristen Race]

07:55 PM on 03/05/2010

Until recently, like many parents with young children, I spent nearly every evening manipulating, bribing, and begging my three and five year old kids to go to bed. I tried in vain to create the perfect bedtime routine, but still most nights ended with a battle that left both my husband and me feeling defeated and exhausted - a terrible ending to even the best of days.
I don’t know how it got this bad, but it did. We tried threats, bribery, nightlights, twilight turtle, dream catchers, make your own dream catcher, door open, door closed, door locked, burning sage to clear out the bad spirits, no fluids after six, no dessert, go to bed later, go to bed earlier, melatonin, sleeping on the guest bed, on the floor, in a sleeping bag and, eventually we ended up on a kids’ foam couch placed half way in and half way out of the bathroom. This was, apparently, the only place my daughter was going to be able to sleep through the night. Yeah right.

Intrigued by some recent research I decided to try a meditation process with my children at bedtime to see if it could help them unwind and fall asleep easily. I discovered something magical in their immediate response. I decided to create developmentally appropriate stories for use with young children.
We are a different - rested family now!
Thank you for this article.
Kristen
www.twitter.com/smartdreamzzz

[IreneN]

05:34 AM on 03/17/2010

A physical or psychological issue is often the cause of childhood insomnia, and that should be investigated before considering medication to resolve the issue. Many insomnia medications are not approved for use in children, so herbal sleep aids is best, if it really need to use.
( http://www.childwiki.com/index.php/Insomnia )