Valerian for kids?

[jendh]

Hi all! I have a seven year old who has been having trouble sleeping lately, either she can't get to sleep or she wakes up really early. It just seems she's out of sync or something. Anyway, I swear by Valerian for me when I have trouble sleeping but I'm wondering if it's safe for me to give her?
I've been using a bit of lavender oil on her temples and that usually helps a bit but she's still not sleeping as well as she normally does. I've talked to her and she says she's not worrying about anything, schools going well, she has lots of friends. I'm stumped.

 

[big brown horse]

Hi jendh!

I love your avatar! I used to keep one of those in my classroom for the children to trace with their fingertips.

Anyhoo, I don't know what to tell you, my daughter slept like a rock. I just wanted to say, "Hi and Welcome to SS!"

 

[abifae]

It could just be growing. Or diet.

What is she eating the four hours before bedtime?

Is she in a growth spurt?

I don't know much about kids' doses but I'd be wary of valerian on kids. It's pretty rough on the kidneys and they're easy to throw out of balance.

 

[noobiechickenlady]

I have a few questions too. Does she have a set schedule at bedtime? Is it dark or light where she sleeps?
When mine get off their normal schedule, they both have a terrible time falling & staying asleep. If the sun or other light is waking her up you could try a dark curtain & a tiny nightlight. Too much light keeps my youngest up, so we have a tiny LED night light in the hall. The light doesn't fall on or near her but is there if she needs to go potty in the night.

 

[pioneergirl]

Could be the changing of seasons.....I know that sounds weird but it happens to me and my son. It doesn't last long, but as things change, we seem to get 'out of sync" .

 

[Henrietta23]

Hm, don't know either, but my DS who just turned 8 has been walking up earlier than usual most morning lately. Like an hour earlier than usual. He hasn't had any nights where he's had a hard time falling asleep but he has in the past, once in a while. I don't know what to tell you about Valerian. I don't know much about it at all.

 

[jendh]

Thanks everyone for the replies and welcomes. To answer some of your questions: Yes, she has a routine bedtime, I've always been adamant about my kids getting 10-12 hours of sleep, she's usually snoozing by 8:30 and we get up for school at 7:10. Their room (she and her sister share) is quite dark, I learned that helped a long time ago when she was still taking naps. We usually have dinner at about 5:30 or so, she's kinda my picky eater so she just eats whatever protein we're having (maybe) and her "salad" which is just plain lettuce, carrots, celery and tomatoes, sometimes a little cheese. Occasionally they have a bedtime snack which is a banana or an apple. I don't know what's going on with her, I think she is growing, she was complaining of leg pain a few weeks ago Then again, this full moon seems to have thrown everything out of whack, so maybe I should just ride it out. Thanks again guys for your interest and concern and don't worry I won't give her the Valerian, I'll just stick with Lavender oil and snuggles!

 

[FarmerDenise]

I just wanted to mention a remedy that worked on me as a child and I used on my DD when she was little.
A glass of warm milk with a pat of butter and a spoon of honey at bedtime. This tastes good and made me and my DD go to sleep easily. This was primarily used when sick with a cold, but occasionally also for falling asleep.

 

[Rebecka]

Have you considered chamomile ? You can just stash a few sachets of flowers in her pillow if you dont want her to have tea before bed.

 

[catullus]

Hello,

Most aromatherapists and herbal specialists do not recommend valerian root for kids under 12. I am sure it works very well. I do not know what I would do without my valerian root tea at night sometimes. I agree with the previous post that chamomile is your best bet. You could also put a couple of drops of lavender oil and a drop or two of chamomile in your child's bath before bed. Simply put the drops in a small cup of milk to help dissolve and ad it to your child's bath.

Good Luck!