Any experience with melatonin not working in hot weather

[Mummybassist]

Hi all, bit of a niche request, but my 2 year old has been on melatonin for sleep issues for about 8 months. Every few months we have to increase the dose but are now at the max doctor has prescribed. Problem is its not working right now but I'm not sure if the dose is the issue or if the intense heat we're having is somehow reducing the efficiency of the medicine. We've stopped giving it for a few days whilst the heat is over 30 degrees but not sure if this is something anyone else has found.

I am planning on going back to the doctors but I just wondered if anyone else had experience with melatonin. Before taking it son was up from 1am to 4 or 5am every night for 2 years whereas now he's just up at 4am every day and only sleeps 7 or 8 hours. His exhaustion does affect his development and medication was a last resort.

Thanks.

Try stroking their forehead from between the eyes upwards towards the top of the forehead in an upward motion. It might activate the pineal gland to produce melatonin. In an adult tapping the area between the eyes can have this effect.

I'm surprised you managed to get a prescription at 2, we had to deal with the lack of sleep until 5 before the pediatrician would medicate. But that's besides the point of your thread.

I currently have two children who take it, and so far haven't noticed a major change in hotter weather, though we do have a wider range of blankets and pajama options then most to make sure everyone is comfortable. We also don't have to increase dose every few months, which is a little concerning as they could be building up resistance to it. Are you taking regular breaks? Mine have a week off every school holiday.

What dose are yours on? Mine started on 1mg, though dropped down to 0.5mg afyer 6 months, once they were in a more solid bedtime routine.

Just re-read, and it seems your son struggles with staying asleep, so needs slow release?

Mine struggling with sleep onset but are fine once they've gone to sleep, so we use quick acting (initially liquid, though now crushed tables).

I wouldn't have thought the heat would effect how quickly his body breaks down the medication, as his core body temperature should stay the same. But could it be that he's starting crunching the tablet for some reason? As that would mean he got a bigger initially dose, but it would were off sooner, which might explain the 1am wake up coming back.

I'm always a bit surprised at the amounts of melatonin people are giving. Perhaps we've just been lucky with dd but she's 8 and has been on it since 2 and we still only give 1ml. We do wait until she's showing tiredness signs before before giving it though as it just pushes her over the edge then and works in 10-15 minutes.

Are you giving it close to a meal or snack? This is the only thing we've found that affects it. Is the bedroom too hot and if so is there anything you can do to make it cooler? As obviously it's normal to struggle to sleep when youre hot and uncomfortable.

The body adapts to melatonin, which is why you needed to increase the dose. Which is why long term use is not advisable.

Thanks all. We weren't told about giving breaks, but are currently trying this during the heat wave. We use the liquid melatonin in a milk feed, my son is awaiting an arfid diagnosis as he has never eaten any solids and is still fully formula fed. I think there is a link between arfid and disturbed sleep but agree we may need the delayed onset stuff. I don't want to continue medicating indefinitely, and to be fair the 4am wake up is still better than the 1am to 5am we used to have!

Sorry you're having such a tough time.

I think the slow release might help, but no idea how you'd get him to take it, as I think it's only in tablet form (the delay is how long it takes to devolve in in stomach). Definitely go back to your pediatrician or sleep clinic, they might have other options and it sound like they haven't given you as much direction or long term strategy as they maybe could have.

If you need it right now, don't beat yourself up about it becoming indefinite. It does get easier as they grow. My 9yo know only uses it as needed now, and will hopefully have stopped entirely within the year. Even my 6yo has massively improved. It still takes hours for her to fall asleep without it, so she's tired and grumpy for the break weeks, but she has the understanding to stay in bed and listen to an audiobook now, which is much less stressful than the biting and screaming I would get 18 months ago.

Just wanted to empathise. We are an ARFID family too and it's tough. Glad youre hopefully getting a diagnosis soon, and also hope that there is support with this (there isnt in all parts of the country unfortunately. Has he suffered with reflux at all and have you had his swallow checked? As this will 💯 affect sleep and may also explain why no solids. Just to.reassure you we were never told to have breaks with melatonin either. Maybe if you can skip it for a week you could try a low dose to start with? I'm sure ive read that micro doses are more effective. Sending sleepy vibes your way - it's so tough never getting a full night's sleep

Thanks for the kind words. We are going to try a break and then a smaller dose. Weirdly he slept much better last night without any melatonin, but may well just be a fluke. We have had assessment on safe swallow and apparently all is ok. We are hoping for a referral to a London hospital for arfid diagnosis but told not to expect any help basically. My boy has zero interest in food so not much to work with. Just trying to hold on to hope that as he gets older things will change sleep and food wise.