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Original poster

Would you ever give medised to aid sleep?

42 replies

BananaSkin · 09/09/2008 17:27

DS1 goes back to school tomorrow. His sleep has been poor recently and he has not been dropping off until 10ish and I know he has been a bit worried about going back to school. He didn't have a brilliant year last year as he had a few problems with existing friends and his self esteem suffered.

I know he will lie awake until at least ten, as that is what he does if he is worried. I am tempted to give him 10ml of medised before bed just to give him a decent night and get him off to a good start with new teacher/new children in the class (they have been mixed up)/ first year in juniors.

This would be a one off and I know he needs to learn to sleep through problematic times, but I am so tempted. What would you do?

OP posts:
expatinscotland · 09/09/2008 17:29

Only if they're ill and their discomfort is what is keeping them from getting to sleep.

He may be tired the first day or two, but eventually he'll crash out.

Think I'd try something like Badger Balm or a bit of lavender oil first.

DisasterArea · 09/09/2008 17:29

hell yes. although mine was a bit younger. [awaits flaming]

DisasterArea · 09/09/2008 17:29

oh lavendar is v good for helping to drop off.

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andiem · 09/09/2008 17:30

no because it i a slippery slope
what if he doesn't sleep the next night or the next?

you would be better getting some psychological help for him through the school

OneLieIn · 09/09/2008 17:31

Yes to Medised but only if there is an illness associated.

DD has whale music that floats her off nice and early.

Original poster
BananaSkin · 09/09/2008 17:32

The problems at school are resolved and I am hopeful they won't reoccur. Only he is little, so won't have the life experience to know that andiem ...

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unfitmother · 09/09/2008 17:32

No, not if they weren't ill. Try a bath followed by Horlicks.

sarah293 · 09/09/2008 17:33

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expatinscotland · 09/09/2008 17:33

i second Horlicks or Ovaltine, and a bit of banana.

Badger Balm sleep ointment on the temples.

zzzzzz.

Monkeytrousers · 09/09/2008 17:33

yes, when they are ill and overtired but won't sleep

and it isn;t a slipperly slope for everyone

Aitch · 09/09/2008 17:34

i think i have, yes, during teething. probably not my finest moment. wasn't a slippery slope and don't see that this would be tbh.

NappiesGalore · 09/09/2008 17:34

i might.
id certainly crack out the lavender an all that stuff.
theres other things id try, but no idea what you have done obv)
but no, i wouldnt rule out using medised that way as a v v rare one off.
like for flying with under 5's. maybe.

fishnet · 09/09/2008 17:34

I would if I thought it would work and it was a one off.

Getting my two to take medised though is completely impossible. Not a big shock since the stuff is foul.

masalachameleon · 09/09/2008 17:34

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squeaver · 09/09/2008 17:35

Yes when overcoming jet lag. And don't see a problem with it for your situation either.

ReallyTired · 09/09/2008 17:35

I only give medised if my son is very congested or has an ear infection. If it happens to aid sleep then that is great. I imagine that if you gave medised to a healthy child they might end up with a dry mouth.

I don't think that the sedative affect of medised is particularly strong. It certainly not work on my son.

I suggest that you take him somewhere where he can get plenty of physical exercise. If sleep problems continue then talk to your GP.

masalachameleon · 09/09/2008 17:36

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TheFallenMadonna · 09/09/2008 17:36

I did once when we were camping, because they'd been up really late the night before, and early in the morning. Felt like an utter criminal buying the stuff (bought specially for the purpose no less).

Didn't bloody work mind

Aitch · 09/09/2008 17:36

oh yes was preared to use it for flights had i needed it if plane been delayed etc.

maidamess · 09/09/2008 17:37

I have given ds medised when he had worms, and was writhing about unable to sleep. So it didn't help the worms but made him crash out.

expatinscotland · 09/09/2008 17:40

i've suffered from insomnia for many years.

another good thing is to make sure his bedroom isn't full of distractions.

doing other activities in bed like reading, playing games consoles or computers, watching TV, etc is really a bad idea if you are a person who has trouble getting off to sleep.

if he's had poor sleep lately, and has trouble dropping off, it might be a good idea to making the bedroom and the bed in particular a place he comes to associate mostly with going to sleep.

keep it dark and a good temperature.

plenty of exercise, preferably outside for at least 10 minutes, is another good idea, as is a bedtime routine - the mind will actually start to adjust things like hormone levels and blood pressure and temperature in preparation for sleep when a good routine is in place.

if he gets into bed and can't drop off in about 20 minutes, best to get up, leave the room and do something like a puzzle or read for a few minutes so the bed doesn't become associated with teh anxiety of not being able to sleep.

expatinscotland · 09/09/2008 17:41

yes, Badger Balm is readily available in larger Boots and Holland and Barrett's and the like.

it should be near where Bach's Rescue Remedy is sold.

andiem · 09/09/2008 17:41

personally I wouldn't medicate a child who isn't ill if you are that worried go to the gp and get a proper sedative instead of one that isn't designed for that purpose

masalachameleon · 09/09/2008 17:44

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Original poster
BananaSkin · 09/09/2008 17:44

Thanks all. May try a relaxation CD we have and see it that does the trick.

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