Adopted? I'm even more confused now - if the kids have been adopted (by whom?) then the woman you refer to as the birth mother is no longer a guardian or a legal parents to the kids. Why are they spending most of their time with her (they see Dad every other weekend?) and why is she making medical decisions for them, if they have been adopted by someone else?
So it sounds like the kids live with Mom and see Dad(who adopted them?) and Dad's new wife (Stepmom?) every other weekend? In that case, "BM" or "birth-mother" or "bio-mother" doesn't seem right - Mom is the one and only mother.
Anyway, this is not essential to the subject of the post - just confusing.
My son is 8 and has been on Melatonin every night for several years. It was prescribed by his doctor since he has autism and ADHD and was having sleeping disruptions. Additionally he is on two other medications to help with his issues.
For many people, having melatonin supplements help with their sleep patterns. My child has no issues or side effects from it and gets a good sleep from 8:30pm to 6:30am every night. He was taking a single pill, not sure of the exact MG, but it was the standard adult dose. Now is upped to 1.5 pills.
My son is 8 and has been on Melatonin every night for several years. It was prescribed by his doctor since he has autism and ADHD and was having sleeping disruptions. Additionally he is on two other medications to help with his issues.
For many people, having melatonin supplements help with their sleep patterns. My child has no issues or side effects from it and gets a good sleep from 8:30pm to 6:30am every night. He was taking a single pill, not sure of the exact MG, but it was the standard adult dose. Now is upped to 1.5 pills.
This is not an issue for social services.
I think that the important thing here is that you care enough, and demonstrate competent parenting, by ensuring that your son's medical situation is managed by his doctor.
I agree that the first thing I would do is to find out as much as you can, and that should be done by making an appointment with the kids doctor and get some information to make an informed decision. Melatonin is not like Benadryl. Its a natural hormone found in the body. I would be concerned if an antihistamine was being used as a sleep aid in a child, but not melatonin. And by concerned I mean, talking to the other parent and seeing why they are using this.
I use melatonin personally for sleeping as Im a nurse with shift work. My kid also has been diagnosed with ADHD and the doctor has been advising for months she should be on Melatonin as she has a lot of trouble sleeping. My ex did not want any meds but did not take the time to research this. We have found no side effects, except a better sleep with less anxiety and mood swings.
My professional and personal opinion would always make an informed decision and find out as much as you can from professionals
I am not a nurse, but melatonin being a naturally occurring hormone, I'd be concerned that the body down-sensitizes to it, or loses the ability to produce it altogether if it is being provided externally. Same idea as how type 2 diabetes develops.
But a quick read online suggests there is no evidence of harm (yet).
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