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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Child given melatonin without our consent

996 replies

HuckleberryBlackcurrant · 28/07/2023 22:44

DS6 went to his first sleepover last night, at a close friend's house. 4 other kids were there also, ages 6-8.

His friend's mum messaged to say he was asleep shortly after 9 which I found unusual because he would usually stay up later with all that excitement. But I thought that he was just very tired. We have been very busy recently, he has been in swimming lessons and football and was starting a mild cold.

This afternoon when I picked him up it was casually mentioned that the kids were all dosed with melatonin. I know it's super common to do so but our son has never had melatonin, and we certainly would have said no if we were asked.

It put him into a really deep sleep, causing him to have an accident in the night which really embarrassed him.

I didn't really say anything when my friend mentioned this. I was a bit blindsided, and the party was still going on so I didn't know how best to address it.

My husband is really irritated that they went ahead and dosed our child without our consent. Melatonin has been something we agreed not to give our children unless medically directed. He wants me to say something to the parents. I'm inclined to leave it as he's unlikely to go there for a sleepover again for quite some time. I was thinking we could just bring it up if he ever sleeps there again.

My husband thinks that on principle, you don't give a child anything without their parents' consent, so we should raise the issue and set the boundary now. Our children do play there occasionally in the daytime. Usually he is the non confrontational one and I am the one bringing these things up. Idk if it's because I'm 38 weeks pregnant so I just don't feel like pursuing it?

What would you do? Are we right to be irritated?

OP posts:
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USaYwHatNow · 28/07/2023 22:51

Irritated?! I'd be fucking livid and probably report them to the police.

Thally · 28/07/2023 22:52

This cannot be real. It requires a prescription. It's use is not common. The only kids I have known to have it have severe sleep disturbances that require professional help.

NotAMug · 28/07/2023 22:52

I typed a reply that asked if it was melatonin gummies, not sure why it has been automatically hidden. I wouldn't give kids anything without parents permission at all.

GrannyAchingsShepherdsHut · 28/07/2023 22:52

That's outrageous, he could have a medical condition or be on meds that aren't compatible with melatonin! As it is, he had an accident - so it did affect him badly.

I'd have hit the roof the second she told me she basically drugged my child for her convenience, I can't believe you didn't say anything.

Boomboom22 · 28/07/2023 22:52

You don't even give calpol and usually ask before choc and sweets!

Washeroo · 28/07/2023 22:53

Wow! Can’t believe the parents did that.

Harryyourenogoodalone · 28/07/2023 22:53

Is this really what happened?

Fundays12 · 28/07/2023 22:53

I would be livid if my 6 year old was give melatonin without my consent. My 11 year old does take it but it's prescribed by his paediatrician due to his medical conditions which mean he struggles to fall asleep and would not sleep more tha. 3 hours a night without it. Your friend should not have given your child any medication without your consent. That would be the last time I would ever let my child near someone who did that.

BlueMoon23 · 28/07/2023 22:53

I would be beyond furious. It's a Safeguarding issue. My child would never set foot in the house again.

throwbacko2 · 28/07/2023 22:54

USaYwHatNow · 28/07/2023 22:51

Irritated?! I'd be fucking livid and probably report them to the police.

The police?

What outcome would you be looking for?

Starlightstarbright2 · 28/07/2023 22:54

My child is prescribed melatonin- I would lose my shit completely if someone else gave him medication without my consent .

it is prescribed medication for children with disordered sleeping - not to quieten kids down on a sleep over

Rainiestsummer · 28/07/2023 22:54

I've seen it for sale in the US.
I wouldn't even give someone else's dc a vitamin without consent.
one way to have calm sleepovers I suppose.

longestlurkerever · 28/07/2023 22:54

Just echoing everyone else. I'd be livid. No particularly strong feelings either way about melatonin but that's because I've not done full research which i most certainly would want to do before giving it to my DC. And would only be considering it in the case of problem sleep, not just because they're excited on a sleepover.

BobbyBleu · 28/07/2023 22:54

My family member is a police officer and said he would report this to the police.

Fleur405 · 28/07/2023 22:54

WTAF?! That is very far away from normal or acceptable. I would be pretty amazed if it’s not a criminal offence too. If it’s not a criminal offence to drug a bunch of children without their parents consent I think someone ought to look into that.

user1473878824 · 28/07/2023 22:55

No fucking way is it “super common” even in countries where it doesn’t need a prescription.

Washeroo · 28/07/2023 22:55

I used to travel to the US frequently and colleagues would buy it OTC for jet lag. Where have these parents got their stash from?!

UrsulaIsMyQueen · 28/07/2023 22:55

Firstly, it is not common to give children melatonin. My child is severely autistic, sleeps 4-5 hours a night and we still haven’t managed to get a paediatrician to prescribe it.
Secondly, you’re under-reacting. I would be absolutely fuming and would definitely be saying something.

Gowlett · 28/07/2023 22:55

I find that really shocking. I can see why you don’t want the stress, but I wonder if the other parents know…

Atnilpoe · 28/07/2023 22:56

@throwbacko2

the outcome I would be looking for would be prosecution and conviction, you know, the normal one when you call the police

Maddy70 · 28/07/2023 22:56

I would not be happy with this.

HuckleberryBlackcurrant · 28/07/2023 22:56

I live in the US. I think you can buy it OTC here because it's really common for people to give it to their kids. I thought I was maybe overreacting because a lot of people we know give it to their children regularly.

OP posts:
vincettenoir · 28/07/2023 22:56

I am with you and your dp. The other kid’s parents crossed a line and you are not being precious to be unhappy about this.

Maybe it’s not worth raising if you don’t plan to let your kid stay there again. I don’t think it is that key to be honest because it can’t happen again if he doesn’t stay again. Although I do understand why your dp wants to express his feelings about this.

What I would say though is don’t let this make your family anxious about ds going on other sleepovers. This seems like a real one off to me and I doubt there is another family in your town who would give your kid sleeping supplements (natural or otherwise). Bizarre!

Weirdinterview · 28/07/2023 22:56

I thinks it's bullshit that any parent would not have reported the dosing of an entire party of children.

gogomoto · 28/07/2023 22:57

In the U.K. you cannot even get it from gp's for kids, only specialists can prescribe. For adults it's not routinely prescribed either. I have a couple of large pots from America still left

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