For feeling like a shit Mum. DS's first night on melatonin

[ImSoExhausted]

So that's it. Not even four and already being medicated I know the benefits, I know how much better his behaviour will be when he's actually sleeping, but god, I feel SO guilty.
Anyone else with an autistic child on melatonin? We were lucky at how easy it was to get for DS. It's only been a week since we asked his Pedeatrician about it and it got delivered today. He took it with ease and fell asleep within 20 minutes. Now here I am, first time in god knows how long that he's safe and asleep soundly and I'm lying here wide awake!
I'm hoping it's only needed short term, there's something so weirdly wrong about giving it to him. He's non-verbal and doesn't understand language so he has no clue that his milk has a crushed up sleeping tablet

So glad it worked op, wonderful! My ds has been on it since age 4 and he's 8 soon. We did a wash out over the summer (period with no melatonin) and DS was miserable, went backwards toileting wise and was extremely aggressive. Never again. It's melatonin every night or we can't cope.

Have an even happier Christmas now!

I felt bad giving my asd daughter melatonin too. It gets better and remember she needs her sleep!!!

It didn’t bloody work mind you

I don't see melatonin as a medication anyway. It's a hormone that the body should be producing naturally. If it isn't producing enough, for whatever reason, then it needs helps. We all need sleep to live, it's essential. Don't feel bad op.

All mine have it. The youngest two at a lower dose than prescribed. Still go to bed too late though.

I understand the feeling of not wanting to ‘drug’ your child. There is something unnatural about it for me, so I understand why you feel this way. But! Your child has a deficiency in the hormone that helps him sleep, you’re effectively providing that which naturally should have been there. If you were low in iron you’d take supplements, you have to think of it like that. Sleep deprivation is used in torture, and you can see why, not getting enough sleep is absolutely horrendous for all concerned. You’ll all be so much happier once proper sleep is established. You’re doing the right thing

No one should feel guilty about needing sleep OP!

You're a cracking mum for getting your DS medication he needs so that he can get the rest he needs

My parents where given phenergan (a sedating antihistamine) and liquid Valium to give me when I was a child, as I wouldn't and couldn't sleep. I literally was awake most of the night. They used the bare minimum to enable to give me (and themselves) some rest.

I felt the same as you 6 months ago but I was on my knees with 18 months of disturbed sleep. It's been a life changer for all of us as a family. Honestly, in a few months time you will look back with no regrets.

Would you feel the same if he was diabetic and you were giving him insulin?

They are both hormones the body fails to produce in the right amount. They both are used to treat medical conditions under the treatment of a qualified Doctor. A doctor who has decided its in the best interest of your child to be prescribed this medication.

One of my best friends is a Community Paediatrician and prescribes it. Some are very 'for it', others are not. Research shows that it actually shouldn't be prescribed to children (and indeed, it is unlicensed for children), however, my friend says that she sees parents after parents who are themselves exhausted, stressed, overwhelmed, depressed and that helping the child sleep is actually helping the parent, giving them back the capacity to be a better parent through looking after themselves better. She says that this is much better therapy for the child then anything that else.

So OP, don't feel bad. Sleep is extremely important for your child but for you to function and see how it goes.