Gcse child can't sleep what can I give her

[IamSlave]

As above she's not been able to sleep.
What can I give her

Phenergan (available over the counter as an anti histamine) is good for anxiety based short term insomnia

Thank you @Katrinawaves would a normal anti histamine do that?

Have you tried magnesium? If not I’d give it a go.

Be careful giving her anything as she could end up feeling worse for an exam. A friend of mine took night nurse to help him sleep before an exam and felt groggy the following day.

Try to get her to do some exercise in the day to tire her out. Then try a relaxation/meditation app when she wants to sleep or at anytime she’s feeling anxious.

Herbal Nytol or Kalms nighttime

Sunshine before 10am, no screens in the hours before bed and an hours hard exercise in the day.

A big hug.
Some relaxation music.
Help her accept that even if she's not sleeping just closing her eyes and resting her body is helpful.
There are some eyemasks called space masks that I find relaxing.
I'd be careful about medication if it's the day before an exam and she's not taken it before.

@SoLookUpTonight that's what I'm worried about

Agree with this, understand what others are saying but a bit of a risk to try an entirely new medicine during GCSEs, already tired and drowsy from medicines could be an issue. Could do some relaxing activities plus have something to look forward to once finished to help with stress.

I wouldn't try anything she hasn't had before. We were told to use Priotrin as DD has constant insomnia thanks to ASD and it backfired so thoroughly, she slept until lunchtime after trying to wake her for school.

Lots of fresh air after school, healthy diet, no screens at least 1 hour prior to sleep and that should include TV.

If she likes, DD finds audio books, meditation, pink noise sometimes calming enough to go to sleep.

At the weekend, take her out for the day, let her tire out if she likes physical activities or just do stuff she loves and relaxes.

@Magnolia24 how do I buy that, is it literally magnesium tablets

Do you have the headspace app? It costs £50 for the year but there are loads of meditation sessions on there.

I do a 10 minute calm one with my 10 year old when he can't sleep due to feeling anxious. It works every time to calm him down.
Although it is in the kids section, it isn't childish. It is so effective that I use it alone as well when my mind is racing and it also works fantastically for me

Hi. You can buy the tablets, but we’ve found the spray to be very effective. My daughter also likes lavender drops on her pillow. I’d echo what others have said about trying anti histamines etc as they can work too well and may make your child groggy in the morning. Magnesium is a natural supplement however, very mild, and we haven’t had any after effects. Whatever you decide it might be worth trying it on Friday, so they can sleep in on the Saturday if needed.

My DH struggles with sleep and likes the magnesium cream.

I'd agree with PP, I'd be trying magnesium, calming techniques first. Personally I always sleep well after a bath? Would that help?

Your poor DD.
There are Epsom salts which have magnesium in m, so a relaxing bath might be helpful. A health food shop can advise on magnesium tablets but sprays and cream can work as others have said. Just a nice body lotion after a hot shower or bath is nice.

The calm app has an offer at the moment and if your nhs /blue light there is often a discount. That has meditations, soundscapes and sleep stories.

Exercise - a walk or a swim can be good to help manage stress.

Healthy foods - avoid sugary drinks and sweets. But maybe hot chocolate and a fave tv programme before bed. Something familiar and comforting.

Yoga nidra is good for relaxation and anxiety. I like ally boothroyd and yoga nidra network.

Good luck.

Two nights now she's not slept well and hardly any sleep yesterday, definitely will get her out later on a walk or bike ride etc and will try and get magnesium spray or cream first.

Melatonin from Biovia an online place. .

Make sure you buy the correct magnesium for sleep

Rescue remedy?

Warm milk does actually help

Poor kid. White noise (fan, etc.) and watching ASMR videos on youtube helped me drop off when I was at the most stressful period of my life. Weighted blanket could help too.

Also as a pp said, apparently getting outside into daylight asap in the morning helps set your body clock to start winding down in the evening. Magnesium spray on feet at bedtime is supposed to work. (Maybe a bit ‘instagram science’!) Epsom salts bath definitely works. Good luck.

I would actually use the anti histamine.

Shes already probably feeling groggy and no good after 2 nights of sleep..

I have my 3 year old DD liquid phenergan (got it OTC in a pharmacy) but you can get tablets as the liquid is hard to get.

I gave her the dose that was written on the back and she had a fantastic nights sleep (jet lag) and didn't notice any groggy symptoms the next day.

I'd go straight with an antihistamine, but half the dose and see how she gets on.

I find chamomile tea is good for helping me sleep. You could add a bit of honey or sugar if she likes. Make it in a small mug or just half fill the mug with water, and let it brew for five minutes. That way, she'll get all the sleep-inducing benefit but she won't wake up in the night needing a wee!

This, and no drugs! she will feel befuddled during the actual exam

I absolutely would not be giving her any meds. I feel horrendously groggy the day after those antihistamines.
Yorkshire Tea do bedtime tea which is fabulous stuff. No sugar or screens close to bedtime or late night revision. Let her know that it's okay if she can't fall asleep straight away. Can she read until she drifts off?
If she's worrying about things get her to write down everything that is bothering her before bed. Tell her you won't read it, that writing is just for her. Once it's down on paper, she can put that paper away and then look at it again in the morning.
Make sure her bedroom is well aired and only use low level lighting in the evening.