I have a eleven year old son who has been having problems falling asleep. This has been going on over a month now. He can't seem to get himself asleep. He tries and reads before he goes to bed, he takes a shower. But it takes him anywhere from an hour to 2 hours before he falls a sleep. I just do not know what to do. Any suggestions?
I would try stretching. I have heard that this can be a great step to going to bed and having a better nights sleep.
You may want to see your pediatrician and see if you can find out exactly what the problem is...it is not uncommon..just exhausting..I work for six pediatricians and we see this all the time..If it becomes a long term problem, you may want to consider a sleep study.
T.
Try a Sleep Clinic. I know Kaiser has a great one that is nationally recognized, but I'm sure there are other great ones.
Melatonin works great. Make sure he winds down from TV and video games before jumping into bed. Restrict sugars and caffeine about 4 hours before bedtime. I think the natural tea route is geat as well, such as Camomille. Good luck!
Have you tried giving him melatonin? My son also has sleep issues and we give him 2 mg before bed. I would think your son would need more. My son is 4 years old and weighs 42 lbs. The melatonin is working great for us! We even managed to get him off a prescription drug for sleep issues by using melatonin which is OTC and a natural chemical that the body produces. We are so happy about it.
It would help to investigate some relaxing yoga techniques. Triaing your mind to observe your breath or heart beat. The mind is busy but the body is tired. Resting the mind helps me sleep better. Have a great day. Chris
Dear M.,
Teens have a hard time sleeping, so that may have set in early in your son. He is handling it intelligently, so you should be proud. Try to go online and see what you can find out about teenage sleeplessness. www.drgreene.com, and About.com/pediatrician .
C. N.
Hi I'm the mother of 2 girls 10 and 15. Both of them get like this from time to time. I find what works the best is get them into bed. Turn off the lights and you sit on the bottom of the bed in the dark and ask them how their day was...Do not offer any advice and make sure that it is dark enough for them not to see your face so that they can't form an opinion on your reaction.
It allows them to work out what is troubling them with out being judged. Good luck!
Does he sleep well when he does fall asleep?
Does he wake up rested in the morning?
Is he lethargic?
Is he over energetic?
Is he irritable?
What is his growth like right now?
Did he just go through a spurt or is expected to have one?
Does he have new friends?
Did he lose an old one?
Is he happy?
Is he sad?
Did he start a new sport/team/club/school?
Does he...WOW!
Without the answers to these questions and SO MANY more, it is hard to say. Sure there are herbal teas, herbal plants, reading, showering, even warm milk, but what I have learned about the body is that it will do exactly what it must do to protect itself. Sleep is the body's time to let go and rebuild. Maybe your son is in such good form that his body does not require the the sleep it used to. So many things could be going on.
You didn't say, is it affecting him with his relationships, family? School? Friends? If it isn't, if the only thing is that he "can't get to sleep", don't worry. When I was in grade 8, I slept about 5-6 hours a night. My mom thought I was sick. I look back now and see that I was just bored. Talk to him, see what he thinks. Kids really are mcuh smarter than we give them credit for.
What does he say/feel about it?
Has he'd tried audio books? I could never fall asleep while reading, but lying in bed with my eyes shut listening to an audio book (particularly if I had read it before, so it wasn't too exciting) always worked for me (and apparently I used to do this as a child as well).
Is there anything that's changed in the last month? Any new stresses? Changes in his schedule?
Good luck!
-N.
He is probably old enough for a weak valarian tea. It's and all natural tea made from valarian root that can help you fall asleep. I was an insomniac at 14 and it is what was suggested to my parents at the time. Worth the research...
First I would take a look at the food he eats. If he eats a lot of protein for dinner it may be part of the problem. I would start at his diet and then professional help.
Dear M.,
Besides my current career, I have a background in alternative medicine. Many times when the adrenal glands are off folks experience sleep issues.
The adrenal glands can either be in an overactive stage or an under active stage. There are different symptoms for each. Depending on which direction the glands are malfunctioning then the appropriate herbs/nutrients should be administered.
Also, has he gone through some very stressful experience(s) within the last 6 months to a year?
Under active Adrenal symptoms:
Fatigue with insomnia (once gets to sleep possibly wakes up during the night as well)
When tongue is stuck out it quiver quite a bit
Tongue may have a light red color to it instead of a pinkish color or the tip of the tongue may be red
Frequent urination at night (at least 2 times)
May have some low blood pressure bouts (when getting up from bed quickly, will feel dizzy)
Cravings for sweets and carbs
Hard time concentrating
Gets confused easily, finds it hard sometimes to say what he means
---------------------------------------------------------------
Overactive Adrenal symptoms:
Anxiety, irratibility
Restless, fidgety
Compulsiveness
Tension headaches
Red tongue
If you get back to me on whether any of these two categories fits with your son I can be of more help.
Best wishes,
Hi M.
Well I am only a mom of a 14 month old so I am not that experienced in the teen department but I was once one myself and also a night owl! I had a hard time going to bed at night when I was younger! It was very frustrating. There are a couple of things I could suggest. First thing is there is a book called The Mood Cure! I swear by this book! I think every person, parent should read this book! This may help you! Secondly, is he getting enough exercise during the day? Maybe a jog at night after dinner or a walk together then his shower? Exercise releases serotonin which naturally relaxes us. That may help him wind down. Third, try giving him some valerian herb or Gaba (amino acid) it is a natural relaxant or chamomile tea :) There are always healthy natural alternatives out there for us and some times we forget to take a look at how our nurtition may be affecting our moods or our sleep :)
Good Luck Mama!
Try melatonin...or some GABA with 5HTP...He might have liver problems, I suggest you take him to a homeopath...Love, G.. :0)
P.S. it can also be his diet...keep him away from aspartame, soy and any source of MSG!!! Even GUM all gums in USA have aspartame...he would be better off with plain old sugar!!! and all sugar free products!!!
