Teenaged son with sleep problems

[BollySBK]

Hi - firstly I've never posted on here, so please bear with me if I say the wrong thing!

I'm looking for some advice please. My son (13 1/2) is having some real issues getting to sleep. He's dead to the world once he drifts off, but it can take a very long time to get there. It's getting him down, me down, and certainly isn't making day to day life easy for him.

Here's what we have already tried - and this is an ongoing problem, months - probably nearly a year:
Removing phones, tv, xbox for at least three quarters of an hour pre 'lights out' time.
No food for an hour before sleep.
Milk before bed.

Visited doctors - reiterated everything we are already doing.
He's had counselling and mentoring through school, as he's been through some depression - low level, but irrespective of that, nonetheless.
We talk a lot - about good things and the things that worry him, so he can get things off his chest.

He's got a low light, a lava lamp, and plug lights, as he used to hate the dark, and he does say that they help (one used at a time).

Warm room / cold room / sleeping bag to feel cosy - you name it I've tried it.

I really am at the end of my tether (as he is) as I worry that he's going through it all badly. Oh, and he's active too - football x 2 a week, PE at school x 2 a week, and then in the hols he's outside all the time, biking, playing with mates, we walk the dogs, he sails, and is generally active. His growth is 'normal' and he's doing OK at school - although as with many boys of his age it's all 'boooooorring'....

What can I do now?!? I've not resorted to Phenergan - and refuse to, to be honest as I don't think it's appropriate at his age.

Any advice would be very welcomed - thank you so much.

PS - I always get him up on time for school and he's never been late, but I do let him sleep in at the weekends as he's so shattered.

If you youtube ASMR videos, they are simply people using household objects to create repetitive noise but it's very quiet and relaxing to drift off to. Definitely think the pushed back bedtime will help, also my own sleep has greatly improved with Egyptian cotton bedsheets (can get them for good price at Tk Maxx) as they help to regulate body temperature.

DD went through a few months of this, you seem to be doing most of the things that helped her though. The only other thing we did was to give her a herbal tea formulated for sleep half an hour before bed, we have used both the Twinnings and the Clipper ones with success.

My ds is in year 10 and we've had a problem like yours too.

I did actually get melatonin from the doctor to reset his body clock. 2mg which is a tiny amount but enough to work.

He doesn't need it anymore.

I agree that his bedtime is probably a bit too early but appreciate why it is.

My ds is allowed on his Xbox etc until 10 and then bed.
He showers first thing of a morning and is always up no problem.

There is a brilliant lavender spray called "this works" I got mine from marks and spencer by the till. It was £5/6.

Good luck op

My teenage son has had problems over the past year getting to sleep and waking up early morning. I sympathize with anyone going through this situation. After reading the comments I have picked up some good tips, Thanks