Clonidine vs melatonin

[Melissanmylittleman]

Is anyone elses child taking melatonin and is it working my 6 year olds doctor wants to take him off the clonidine but 3mg of melatonin is having no effect he was wide awake until530am

[Elijah1]

You are correct. If clonidine works and melatonin doesn't, stay with the clonidine. Make sure he has good sleep hygiene (Richard Ferber's book Solve Your Child's Sleep Problem is a good way to learn if behavioral ideas can be helpful).

[Arauch]

My 5 year old has had both. The melatonin and clonidine. I ended up pulling her from the clonidine since it was useless, and it has a lot of rough and dangerous side effects. The melatonin was hit or miss, some days it worked. Others not so much.

A family friend who's two sons had ADHD recommended a weighted blanket. It may be ugly, but it has been a blessing.

[Melissanmylittleman in reply to Arauch]

Im going to have to look into that blanket well 3mg of melatonin isn't working wondering if i should give him 6

[Arauch in reply to Melissanmylittleman]

If 3mg is not working, than I would not give him more. Besides a weighted blanket, maybe a change in his schedule. Having him get into a routine for bed time might help.

[anirush]

My grandsons are much older but they have to take 10 mg of melatonin. Both pediatrician and psychiatrist say melatonin is safe. I would talk to your doctor about correct dose for your child. Valerian is an herb which helps with sleep too. But I would not change anything without talking to his doctor

[Teachermom1]

My daughter who is now 12 was taking melatonin, up to 10-15 mg to help her sleep. From what her pediatrician, it was safe since it's natural. But since we did the "gene sight" testing, practitioner prescribed clonodine. But is no longer taking clonodine with change of medications.

[Mom-of-5]

Both my 13 and 14 yr old take clonidine and it helps my 14 yr son.

Now my daughter 13 has to take a clonidine and melatonin

The melatonin did not work on my kids when they were younger.

[sarahchiov]

My 9 year old, weighing 67 lbs takes 10mg of melatonin every night. It really helps. Both pediatrician and psychologist said this dose was just fine. Less than that did not work for him.

As for the weighted blanket. I think it's a great idea. We haven't bought one because they're expensive, but we have two heavy comforters on our guy at night and he can't sleep without them now. He does get a little hot sometimes, which doesn't help with sleep, and I hear the weighted blankets breath better than a normal blanket so that they don't get so hot. I say that ANYTHING is worth trying!!