Sleep issues in children

[Skiesmama]

Hi everyone,

I'd love some input - my children have all struggled with sleep. Falling asleep - they would get a burst of adrenaline instead of falling asleep, and we'd lie there for 2 hours or more. I have 5 children, and they were all that way. Eventually I couldn't handle the stress of it all anymore, and started giving them melatonin. My husband and I hadn't had an evening together in the entire 7 years we'd been together. It works well still for 3 of them, but I'd like to address whatever is out of balance to help resolve whatever issue is there. 4 of my kids still live at home. My oldest child at home doesn't respond to melatonin anymore, and is often awake until 1-2am. Sometimes he's asleep by midnight. He just reads, and we homeschool, so he can sleep in and does get enough hours, but I am concerned that it is taxing on his body to be up so late. I suspect his adrenals are out of whack.

I would love to give them all oatstraw, but none of us can have gluten, or risk the contamination of the oats. So with that not an option, what would be a good nervine as a long term tonic? If it tastes horrid I'll never get them to take it either. Would lemon balm be a good option? Chamomile?

Any other ideas as to the origin of the issue? My youngest 2 are much less affected. I tend to think that the issue was caused by gluten damage. We didn't cut out gluten until my 4th child was 1 year old. Everyone had pretty dramatic reactions to gluten, with a heavy neurological component, so there is obviously damage there.

They all get cod liver oil, and vitamin D, and we are working with a friend who prescribes flower essences for us all as well. We eat organic gluten-free, whole foods.

[RoseRed]

Peach tea made from leaves and twigs could also be helpful.

My daughter went through that and melatonin helped dramatically. She grew out of it on her own.

It's difficult to switch to a new sleep schedule. You have to consistent for it to work. Let's use your son for an example. Let's say he sleeps till 10 and he get's enough hours. To try to create a new sleep schedule you would need to consistently wake him up at 6:30 and have him go to bed earlier. Lots of physical excersize during the day.

While it's true that some people are just night owls it's also true that you can train your body to respond to any schedule.

[Skiesmama]

It's my son that I am concerned about really - I'm actively trying to shift his schedule a little at a time. If left to his own devices he will stay up until 2am, and sleep until 1pm. I've been nudging him out of bed much earlier these days, and most nights not letting him stay up so late. Tho if he's really into a book then unless i hide the book he'll just read after I go to bed I understand that tho - I'm a book worm too, so I do allow that at times. I'm just trying to get him up a little earlier, and into bed a little earlier too. We have a big family tho, and he really enjoys having time with me in the evening once everyone has gone to bed, so I've been going with that for a while now. I'm gentle about how I wake him tho - and just sit there for 5-10 minutes and stroke his hair and say silly things to him until he can't help but laugh - or I steal his blankets lol - but I'm careful to not turn it into a big power struggle. Sometimes his little sister has success waking him up too - pries his eyelids open She's cute - it's hard to get annoyed by her

I'd have to buy peach leaves - we're too cold a climate for peaches. Do they taste nice? My kids are getting more open to trying the teas I make them, but definitely won't go for it if it's "yucky"

[RoseRed]

It's a lot easier to change a sleep schedule if he's on board with it. Consistency is key.

You didn't mention how old your son is. As far as a power struggle - you're the mom - there shouldn't be a need for a struggle.

Good luck with this.

I haven't tried peach tea but I've heard it's delicious. If you want to try chamomile - cover it and steep for 20 minutes to get the medicinal properties.