Piroton?

[Bobbybobbins]

Our two year old DS has gone from being a good sleeper to really struggling with falling asleep, staying asleep and getting up mega early. So you name it basically!

We suspect he is autistic so concerned this could be a long term sleep problem but no way of knowing yet so we are crossing fingers for a short term regression.

We also have a 4 year old autistic DS so life is pretty challenging.

It has been suggested to us that using a small dose of piriton might help him to settle at night. We used it with DS1 when his eczema was keeping him awake at night, recommended by the gp. My DH is really uncomfortable with using it. I am not suggesting every night but possibly occasionally when we feel he needs help to get back into a routine.

What do you all think?

Argh just noticed misspelling in thread title, sorry!

Ask your GP again. You're right that some antihistamines are used as sleeping tablets (e.g. Nytol is actually an antihistamine), but I wouldn't just give them to a child without properly assessing the dose and side effects.

Thanks, good point. I didn't know Nytol was an anti-histamine, interesting. When I am on hay fever tablets over the summer I am definitely yawning a lot more!

Was this recommended by a health care professional..? Because if so it's appalling advice.

It will have been recommended for your older child to ease the itching, not to make him drowsy. Piriton is not intended to be used to aid sleep. I think your DH is right to feel uncomfortable about drugging a toddler to sleep.

Yes it was definitely recommended for the itching when he was about 6 months old. We used it once last week on pharmacist's advice as 2 year old had itchy rash. No, not recommended by health professional but by friends!