Anyone else give their 2 year old melatonin?

Question

I’m sure some people don’t agree with melatonin but I’m legitimately losing any ounce of sanity I may have left so if you wanna mom shame me, don’t bother commenting. I used to not agree with melatonin but that was before I became extremely sleep deprived and I have tried EVERYTHING but melatonin. Obviously I’ll be talking to his pediatrician first and giving him the smallest recommended dose, but does anyone else give their 2 year old melatonin and if so does it help? I’m not sure how much longer I can continue on this no sleep streak with my 2 year old. I’m pregnant and can’t even hold my eyes open by the end of the day but my 2 year old is up allllllllll night long and then wakes up as SOON as the sun rises it’s killing me. He does not take naps during the day so me and him are running on anywhere from 3-6 hours of sleep every 24 hours and I humanly cannot keep doing it. Yes I’ve tried taking him outside more, I’ve tried letting him burn more energy or “tiring him out”, we have the same set schedule that we follow every day, we wind down for bedtime with a bath and I lay down with him in the dark, no tv, but he still fights sleep for hours and hours I’m just at a loss.

Answer

Sounds like he’s overtired. 
“Tiring out” a kid to sleep longer is not a thing. It does the opposite. An overtired child wakes more often at night and wakes up earlier. 
Have you tried the bed time routine earlier? Do you watch for sleep cues? Have you tried not laying with him? Have you tried a red night light? Bananas and/or kiwi as a bedtime snack? Sound machine? Warm vanilla milk before bed? Chamomile tea? 
I’m not a fan of melatonin for anyone. It’s easy to become dependent on and it makes the body stop producing it on its own. With that said, occasional uses here and there may be needed but not until over age 3. 
I’d be weary of a doctor approving melatonin under age 3. 
I hope you find something that works! Toddlers are something else! It will get better! Stay strong!

Answer

We did melatonin at age 3 per my son’s pediatrician. He’s 7 and he takes it sometimes. Ask your doctor about it and see if it’s the right thing for your child.

Answer

Before trying melatonin I would recommend trying magnesium lotion. It’s a mineral many people are deficient in and it supports sleep and will also help with growing pains as well as any other cramps or aches and pains. Magnesium is also better absorbed through the skin than the GI tract. I get a handmade one from an aromatherapist/herbalist on Etsy or her website (she’s also my cousin so I definitely trust her) but you can also get it on Amazon.

Answer

Have his iron checked, he does sound overtired but if it’s bad as you describe he could be low iron and it could be causing restless legs/disruptive sleep

Answer

I have given half a gummy of the smallest dose every once and awhile to my 2 year old and especially when they’re sick. It works amazing. I also take it when I’m not feeling well or if I know that someone else ( their father or my sister) will be up to help watch them the next day. Good luck.

Answer

He's definitely overtired. I remember when my oldest hit her 2 year sleep regression almost a year ago, it was horrendous, and paired with my youngest who was 10 months old also going through a regression I felt like I was dying. I'm still running on 1-3 hours of sleep a night, but now it's insomnia. Here are my tips for the sleep regression, you can't keep him up like that. If he gets tried then let him sleep. Even if that means with him. I know this might not make sense, but naps are what you need to discuss on right now. Sleep begets sleep. I highly recommend the.peacefuls.leeper on Instagram. Her tips can be easily modified to be gentle and non cry it out. We modified her tips to be non cry it out and have used her advice since our oldest was born. It'll get better, it takes time, but it gets better.

Answer

I agree with everything Allison has said 
You can maybe try making tart cherry juice gummies? Heard that’s a natural form of melatonin

Anyone else give their 2 year old melatonin?

Let’s Glow

Glow is here for you on your path to pregnancy

25+ million

4.8 stars

20+

Getting Pregnant

Pregnancy

1st Year (Baby & You)

Baby Products