Sleep Problems

My son is 11 years old and has been having trouble falling asleep and staying asleep for almost a year now.  It is effecting his behavior during the day because he is not getting enough sleep.  He also has ADD but does not take meds.  I definitely notice a difference in his ability to concentrate because of his lack of sleep.  He also has general anxiety about just about everything and his lack of sleep is making this worse.  I read that melatonin supplements have worked in helping kids get to sleep.  We are currently trying 1.5 mg of melatonin and the difference is amazing.  He goes to sleep right away and stays asleep for at least 5 hours.  His mood is much better due to more sleep.  My question is are melatonin supplements safe in the long term for kids?  Should kids even be taking melatonin?  I read conflicting things on the web.  Thanks for your help!

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

Melatonin, or any other over-the-counter preparation, should be given to children under the guidance of their pediatrician. In general, melatonin does appear to be safe for use with children, and it is sometimes advised to address insominia with children who are prescribed psychostimulant medication to treat ADHD. As you probably know, with some children onset insomnia is a symptom of their hyperactivity; for other children it might be a side effect of medication. As you probably also konow by the research you have clearly done, inadequate sleep can produce symptoms very much like those of ADHD, and it can also produce changes in mood and in cognitive functioning. So I'm just suggesting you bring the pediatrician into the planning.

[musical grammy]

Magnesium has worked wonders with our Grandson.  His Mom actually makes up a cocoa butter/epsom salts/water mixture (so the magnesium will continue going into his system for a long time).  It's a little effort and feels kind of grainy on, but I'll send the recipe if you'd like.  Our Grandson doesn't seem to mind the "feel."

Easier:  try giving him "Kids Natural Calm" before he goes to bed.  It's mainly magnesium and is a powder to be absorbed quickly.  

Magnesium in an easily absorbable form has also been said to produce great results with ADHD.  It should be given throughout the day (not all at once), just like vitamin C.