we need help - sleep

[fairydust]

or should i say the lack of it - dd has become of the last couple of yrs a nightmare with regards to getting off to sleep and then staying asleep.(was a fantastic baby sleeper)

She often wakes with legs cramp (she's has cp)which then keep her awake - she went to bed at 7.00 at her request and it still wide awake we're up and down the stairs like yo-yo's.

Anyone receomend anything we can try

went to the Gp by the way and asked for help and we we're refered to the local HV who gave us some literature on sleep i.e basically leave her to cry

Melatonin? Not sure how that would work with cp though. It can be precribed by a paediatrician (not a GP)

can you explain what that does please?

It's a (natural) substance that gets people to sleep. You can get slow release capsules that are meant to keep you asleep. It is produced by the brain. In America you can buy it over the counter- here it can only be prescribed by a consultant (although some supermarkets sell "sleepy milk" which contains a small amount). We have used it in the past with ds1- main problem was getting it into him (he's severely autistic so tablets etc are a problem).

is it suitable for a three yr old do you know

Think so- ds1 had it at 6, but I think younger children have had it. Best to ring your paed.

i will thank for that.

i will thank for that.

Hi, my son had melatonin from about the age of 12mths. Our neurologist told us it either works immediatly like a dream, or it doesnt work at all. unfortunately for us it didnt work at all. we have used vallergan which worked short term and we now use chloral hydrate, i know of other children with severe cp who use chloral.

hi fairy dust our dd has just been diagnosed with cp and doesnt sleep, the paed has prescribed her vallergan and last night she slept a lot better than she normally does.

HTH