Waking at night! medication question

[WasUnderThirthy]

Hi,
My 3y dd (GDD, etc.) has been on the (life-saver) melatonin, to help her go to sleep. Unfortunately the waking in the night has become a nightly occurrence, and often lasts for 2 hours. I will consult her dev. paed for the form of melatonin that is slow-release, that can keep her asleep all night. We have a second one on the way and I would really appreciate having at least one dc who sleeps through the night!

I don't possess much knowledge about the slow -release form, but I have heard that there might be some negative side-effect to it? Could anyone give me more details on medication to keep a child asleep all night, whether it be melatonin or something else?

thank you all, your help is much appreciated

Melatonin seems to be the norm. The slow release form is called Circadin I think. It's the only version available in our area because normal Melatonin isn't licensed for children apparently.

There seems to be a big variation in how children react to it and how long it works so don't pin too many hopes on it. I'm planning to ask the psychiatrist for it for DD1 on Friday because she's never asleep before 1am now.

I think someone on here said the slow release form only comes as a capsule?? I can't remember who knows a lot about it, maybe it was Lougle?? We use the liquid melatonin and had same problem, we then added a small amount of another med called vallergan and that seems to do the trick most of the time.

I was unfortunately under the impression that once we got the prescription, there would be no more sleepless night..oh well.

I guess the doctors start with the milder form, and then if it does not work will try another stronger drug?

Sorry I'm not sure that's the case. Melatonin is a substance which is present in our bodies naturally anyway so they are happier to prescribe it than other substances.

I hope you do find something which works better. I can sympathise because when DD2 was born DD1 kept us awake far more than she did. Here's hoping you get a good sleeper whatever happens - you deserve it.