Comments on: My son fights going to bed. Is it safe to give him a sleep aid like a herbal decaf camomille tea? http://www.sleepnaturallynow.com/herbal-sleep-aids/my-son-fights-going-to-bed-is-it-safe-to-give-him-a-sleep-aid-like-a-herbal-decaf-camomille-tea-2 Great Natural Sleep Aids Sun, 15 Nov 2009 12:35:59 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.2 hourly 1 By: avalonlee http://www.sleepnaturallynow.com/herbal-sleep-aids/my-son-fights-going-to-bed-is-it-safe-to-give-him-a-sleep-aid-like-a-herbal-decaf-camomille-tea-2/comment-page-1#comment-1194 avalonlee Tue, 27 Oct 2009 07:10:59 +0000 http://www.sleepnaturallynow.com/herbal-sleep-aids/my-son-fights-going-to-bed-is-it-safe-to-give-him-a-sleep-aid-like-a-herbal-decaf-camomille-tea-2#comment-1194 It's fine to try the tea. My dr recommended it when we were having issues with our now 4-year old. We seriously struggled with this for over a year. It was horrible at night! I wish someone would have just smacked me in the head and been like, "DUH!" Our ped had been telling us all along to create a short routine, put him to bed, say goodnight, walk out of the room and close and lock the door. We fought and fought that. We thought it was cruel. However, we were not getting any sleep. I was sleeping on the floor, he was crawling out of bed at night and then wandering. So, we finally did the recommended routine and walked out. First night, he cried for 25 mins. We never opened the door, we never said anything. Second night, 10 mins. Third night, he was asking to go to bed and or us to shut the door!! It was a freakin miracle. Before we did this though we did involve him in the whole process. We told him he had to help us pick out the door lock, we got new big boy sheets etc. We told him why were doing this etc. He knew what was coming. Also, I wouldn't do away with the naps. At 2 1/2 they still need them for the most part. My son is 4 and still takes them on occasion. You want him to get used to a bedtime routine and to fall asleep on his own, not just because he's totally fried at night. Good luck!<br><b>References : </b><br> It’s fine to try the tea. My dr recommended it when we were having issues with our now 4-year old. We seriously struggled with this for over a year. It was horrible at night! I wish someone would have just smacked me in the head and been like, "DUH!"

Our ped had been telling us all along to create a short routine, put him to bed, say goodnight, walk out of the room and close and lock the door. We fought and fought that. We thought it was cruel. However, we were not getting any sleep. I was sleeping on the floor, he was crawling out of bed at night and then wandering. So, we finally did the recommended routine and walked out. First night, he cried for 25 mins. We never opened the door, we never said anything. Second night, 10 mins. Third night, he was asking to go to bed and or us to shut the door!! It was a freakin miracle.

Before we did this though we did involve him in the whole process. We told him he had to help us pick out the door lock, we got new big boy sheets etc. We told him why were doing this etc. He knew what was coming.

Also, I wouldn’t do away with the naps. At 2 1/2 they still need them for the most part. My son is 4 and still takes them on occasion. You want him to get used to a bedtime routine and to fall asleep on his own, not just because he’s totally fried at night.

Good luck!
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]]> By: sioxpauxmom http://www.sleepnaturallynow.com/herbal-sleep-aids/my-son-fights-going-to-bed-is-it-safe-to-give-him-a-sleep-aid-like-a-herbal-decaf-camomille-tea-2/comment-page-1#comment-1193 sioxpauxmom Tue, 27 Oct 2009 06:22:59 +0000 http://www.sleepnaturallynow.com/herbal-sleep-aids/my-son-fights-going-to-bed-is-it-safe-to-give-him-a-sleep-aid-like-a-herbal-decaf-camomille-tea-2#comment-1193 Try giving him his daytime nap a little earlier around 11.30 after an early lunch followed by a snack when he wakes up. Daytime naps are very important so dont cut them out. Make sure you stick to a routine and dont compromise on the times you put him down. Lying next to him until he falls asleep helps accompanied by a story of course.<br><b>References : </b><br> Try giving him his daytime nap a little earlier around 11.30 after an early lunch followed by a snack when he wakes up. Daytime naps are very important so dont cut them out. Make sure you stick to a routine and dont compromise on the times you put him down. Lying next to him until he falls asleep helps accompanied by a story of course.
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]]> By: Insomniac Butterfly http://www.sleepnaturallynow.com/herbal-sleep-aids/my-son-fights-going-to-bed-is-it-safe-to-give-him-a-sleep-aid-like-a-herbal-decaf-camomille-tea-2/comment-page-1#comment-1191 Insomniac Butterfly Tue, 27 Oct 2009 05:37:59 +0000 http://www.sleepnaturallynow.com/herbal-sleep-aids/my-son-fights-going-to-bed-is-it-safe-to-give-him-a-sleep-aid-like-a-herbal-decaf-camomille-tea-2#comment-1191 To be quite frank, it SHOULD take at least an hour for the bedtime process. It's quite a transition to go from activity to sleepytime, and your toddler has not yet mastered self soothing. As adults, we don't realize just how long we spend getting ready for bed ourselves. Time yourself & write out your own bedtime routine and see just how long it takes YOU to go to bed. You should not attempt to drug your child even with OTC herbals. Those herbals are not regulated, and you never know what kind of reaction it will cause. Best to leave it to straight milk (cold & frothy, yum) and a fixed routine. Some kids just don't need a nap at that age. As long as your child is getting the full amount of recommended sleep per the pediatrician at night, there is no need for a nap during the day. Here are some things that I do during our bedtime routine that make it much easier to get my child to stay in bed: 1. Set a time for bed time and stand by it. Lights out at our house is 8 pm as we are early risers. (wake up time 6 AM) 2. Do not allow tv within 2-3 hours of bedtime. It is too stimulating and will make it too hard to get the child wound down for sleepy time. 3. 6:45 PM - Fix a light "night-night" snack of milk and some tasty pretzels or goldfish to make sure his belly is all full. If he's having a growth spurt, hunger may be keeping him awake. 4. 7 PM - bath time & teeth brushed - Give him a warm bath an hour before bedtime. App 30 mins is plenty of time in the bath. Too short and it won't be relaxing enough. Too long and you will not have enough time for stories. 5. 7:40 PM - Thirty minutes before lights out, jammies on and hair dried, it's story time. I usually read 3 books to my daughter. Try to stick to your limit so you'll stay on schedule, but every once in a while it's ok to indulge the "Just one more???? PLEASE????" whine. 6. 8 PM - Lights out, and then just a few minutes of Snuggle time. Spending just a few minutes snuggling in the dark and singing a lullabye or just holding him before tucking him into bed will help lull him into a snoozy state. Then tuck, say good night and exit. If wails ensue, wait a minute or so, then have Daddy snuggle, tuck & exit to prevent anger/frustration from boiling up. It is better that the child goes to bed without feeling like Mommy is mad at him. Other handy tips: make sure it is dark enough in the room but not too dark. I find that a lamp with a dimmer switch works better than any nightlight and is safer. Get curtains that block a lot of light so that during the summer months he is not confused by the light from outside. Cherish this time!!!!! It's gone before you know it.<br><b>References : </b><br> To be quite frank, it SHOULD take at least an hour for the bedtime process. It’s quite a transition to go from activity to sleepytime, and your toddler has not yet mastered self soothing. As adults, we don’t realize just how long we spend getting ready for bed ourselves. Time yourself & write out your own bedtime routine and see just how long it takes YOU to go to bed. You should not attempt to drug your child even with OTC herbals. Those herbals are not regulated, and you never know what kind of reaction it will cause. Best to leave it to straight milk (cold & frothy, yum) and a fixed routine.

Some kids just don’t need a nap at that age. As long as your child is getting the full amount of recommended sleep per the pediatrician at night, there is no need for a nap during the day.

Here are some things that I do during our bedtime routine that make it much easier to get my child to stay in bed:

1. Set a time for bed time and stand by it. Lights out at our house is 8 pm as we are early risers. (wake up time 6 AM)
2. Do not allow tv within 2-3 hours of bedtime. It is too stimulating and will make it too hard to get the child wound down for sleepy time.
3. 6:45 PM – Fix a light "night-night" snack of milk and some tasty pretzels or goldfish to make sure his belly is all full. If he’s having a growth spurt, hunger may be keeping him awake.
4. 7 PM – bath time & teeth brushed – Give him a warm bath an hour before bedtime. App 30 mins is plenty of time in the bath. Too short and it won’t be relaxing enough. Too long and you will not have enough time for stories.
5. 7:40 PM – Thirty minutes before lights out, jammies on and hair dried, it’s story time. I usually read 3 books to my daughter. Try to stick to your limit so you’ll stay on schedule, but every once in a while it’s ok to indulge the "Just one more???? PLEASE????" whine.
6. 8 PM – Lights out, and then just a few minutes of Snuggle time. Spending just a few minutes snuggling in the dark and singing a lullabye or just holding him before tucking him into bed will help lull him into a snoozy state. Then tuck, say good night and exit. If wails ensue, wait a minute or so, then have Daddy snuggle, tuck & exit to prevent anger/frustration from boiling up. It is better that the child goes to bed without feeling like Mommy is mad at him.

Other handy tips: make sure it is dark enough in the room but not too dark. I find that a lamp with a dimmer switch works better than any nightlight and is safer. Get curtains that block a lot of light so that during the summer months he is not confused by the light from outside.

Cherish this time!!!!! It’s gone before you know it.
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]]> By: belgian rider http://www.sleepnaturallynow.com/herbal-sleep-aids/my-son-fights-going-to-bed-is-it-safe-to-give-him-a-sleep-aid-like-a-herbal-decaf-camomille-tea-2/comment-page-1#comment-1189 belgian rider Tue, 27 Oct 2009 05:21:59 +0000 http://www.sleepnaturallynow.com/herbal-sleep-aids/my-son-fights-going-to-bed-is-it-safe-to-give-him-a-sleep-aid-like-a-herbal-decaf-camomille-tea-2#comment-1189 We also give our son chamomille tea. It has a calming effect, but it is also great for digestion. Its just a great thing to add to their diet, and at a tea strength, its not harmful and doesn't make him dependent on it or anything. I think naps are great, I wouldn't stop that. My son is 3.5 and still takes a long nap during the day. It allows him to recharge and have a better evening. It used to take us a long time to get him down also, but either he outgrew it or we got better at it and now we just say "time for bed" and he's off to bed. I think you are doing the right thing. Routines can take along time to be established, give it (and him) a little time and it will get exponentially easier. Good Luck<br><b>References : </b><br> We also give our son chamomille tea. It has a calming effect, but it is also great for digestion. Its just a great thing to add to their diet, and at a tea strength, its not harmful and doesn’t make him dependent on it or anything.
I think naps are great, I wouldn’t stop that. My son is 3.5 and still takes a long nap during the day. It allows him to recharge and have a better evening. It used to take us a long time to get him down also, but either he outgrew it or we got better at it and now we just say "time for bed" and he’s off to bed.
I think you are doing the right thing. Routines can take along time to be established, give it (and him) a little time and it will get exponentially easier.
Good Luck
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]]> By: *Cara&Brian* http://www.sleepnaturallynow.com/herbal-sleep-aids/my-son-fights-going-to-bed-is-it-safe-to-give-him-a-sleep-aid-like-a-herbal-decaf-camomille-tea-2/comment-page-1#comment-1187 *Cara&Brian* Tue, 27 Oct 2009 05:14:59 +0000 http://www.sleepnaturallynow.com/herbal-sleep-aids/my-son-fights-going-to-bed-is-it-safe-to-give-him-a-sleep-aid-like-a-herbal-decaf-camomille-tea-2#comment-1187 I agree with the last. Naps are a great time for the parents to recompose and take a break from their little knuckleheads, but it doesn't last forever. My daughter stopped napping at 2.5 and my son is phasing it out at 4. I strongly encourage you to ask yourself why this nap is so important as to provide him sleep aids. If it is for your own reasons, like getting a break, then you may decide to let him lie down and watch a movie. The more active your child is the sleepier he will be also (like if he runs around at the park for an hour, nap time is probably more likely than just bumming around the house). Adult talk radio works better for my son than music as well.<br><b>References : </b><br> I agree with the last. Naps are a great time for the parents to recompose and take a break from their little knuckleheads, but it doesn’t last forever. My daughter stopped napping at 2.5 and my son is phasing it out at 4. I strongly encourage you to ask yourself why this nap is so important as to provide him sleep aids. If it is for your own reasons, like getting a break, then you may decide to let him lie down and watch a movie. The more active your child is the sleepier he will be also (like if he runs around at the park for an hour, nap time is probably more likely than just bumming around the house). Adult talk radio works better for my son than music as well.
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]]> By: Muffintop http://www.sleepnaturallynow.com/herbal-sleep-aids/my-son-fights-going-to-bed-is-it-safe-to-give-him-a-sleep-aid-like-a-herbal-decaf-camomille-tea-2/comment-page-1#comment-1185 Muffintop Tue, 27 Oct 2009 04:41:59 +0000 http://www.sleepnaturallynow.com/herbal-sleep-aids/my-son-fights-going-to-bed-is-it-safe-to-give-him-a-sleep-aid-like-a-herbal-decaf-camomille-tea-2#comment-1185 Keep the naps to a minimum if you can't cut them out altogether. I had the same issue with my daughter, (she just turned 3). We had to start keeping her awake throughout the day to get her to sleep before 10pm. NOTHING worked with her either. Just try to get into a steady routine as far as bedtime goes. I make sure my girls eat dinner early (around 5 but no later than 6, because a full belly right before bed can contribute to sleeping issues, and obesity, so says the pediatrician lol) anyway they take a bath immediately after dinner, and then are allowed to play, read or watch cartoons until 8pm, when it's lights out. Since I started sticking to that routine consistently, she has slept much better and fallen asleep faster. Good luck!<br><b>References : </b><br> Keep the naps to a minimum if you can’t cut them out altogether.
I had the same issue with my daughter, (she just turned 3). We had to start keeping her awake throughout the day to get her to sleep before 10pm. NOTHING worked with her either.

Just try to get into a steady routine as far as bedtime goes. I make sure my girls eat dinner early (around 5 but no later than 6, because a full belly right before bed can contribute to sleeping issues, and obesity, so says the pediatrician lol) anyway they take a bath immediately after dinner, and then are allowed to play, read or watch cartoons until 8pm, when it’s lights out.
Since I started sticking to that routine consistently, she has slept much better and fallen asleep faster.

Good luck!
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]]> By: katsfamily07 http://www.sleepnaturallynow.com/herbal-sleep-aids/my-son-fights-going-to-bed-is-it-safe-to-give-him-a-sleep-aid-like-a-herbal-decaf-camomille-tea-2/comment-page-1#comment-1183 katsfamily07 Tue, 27 Oct 2009 04:25:59 +0000 http://www.sleepnaturallynow.com/herbal-sleep-aids/my-son-fights-going-to-bed-is-it-safe-to-give-him-a-sleep-aid-like-a-herbal-decaf-camomille-tea-2#comment-1183 My mother-in-law swears by what she calls manzanilla or chamomile tea. I have been giving it to my son since day one and it really helps. If he doesn't like it plain put a little bit of honey in it since he is old enough for honey.<br><b>References : </b><br> My mother-in-law swears by what she calls manzanilla or chamomile tea. I have been giving it to my son since day one and it really helps. If he doesn’t like it plain put a little bit of honey in it since he is old enough for honey.
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]]> By: mominohio http://www.sleepnaturallynow.com/herbal-sleep-aids/my-son-fights-going-to-bed-is-it-safe-to-give-him-a-sleep-aid-like-a-herbal-decaf-camomille-tea-2/comment-page-1#comment-1181 mominohio Tue, 27 Oct 2009 04:11:59 +0000 http://www.sleepnaturallynow.com/herbal-sleep-aids/my-son-fights-going-to-bed-is-it-safe-to-give-him-a-sleep-aid-like-a-herbal-decaf-camomille-tea-2#comment-1181 It isn't safe to give them sleepaides. If he is having trouble sleeping (not just putting up a fight like normal kids do) then you can talk to the Dr about different ways to help, but you can't just drug him even with herbs just to get him to sleep. You need to find out why he is fighting it. Will he stay in bed if you leave the room or does he get up? Is he scared of something in his room? Is he having nightmares making him want to stay awake? Is he worried about something? Can he hear you still up?....there is a long list of stuff to go through to find out why he isn't going to sleep in order to fix the problem. If he is just fighting to be fighting then he needs to be in the bed in his room with the door closed and if he cries he will have to cry it out (as long as it isn't because he is scared). Is he getting overly tired? When kids (and even adults) get past the point of being tired they can't fall asleep easily so they just lay there tossing and turning.<br><b>References : </b><br> It isn’t safe to give them sleepaides. If he is having trouble sleeping (not just putting up a fight like normal kids do) then you can talk to the Dr about different ways to help, but you can’t just drug him even with herbs just to get him to sleep. You need to find out why he is fighting it. Will he stay in bed if you leave the room or does he get up? Is he scared of something in his room? Is he having nightmares making him want to stay awake? Is he worried about something? Can he hear you still up?….there is a long list of stuff to go through to find out why he isn’t going to sleep in order to fix the problem. If he is just fighting to be fighting then he needs to be in the bed in his room with the door closed and if he cries he will have to cry it out (as long as it isn’t because he is scared). Is he getting overly tired? When kids (and even adults) get past the point of being tired they can’t fall asleep easily so they just lay there tossing and turning.
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