How to Get ADHD Child to Sleep

To prepare your ADHD child for a good night’s sleep make sure they get plenty of physical activity during the day. Avoid trigger foods like caffeine and artificial flavoring. Stick to a bedtime routine and schedule. An hour before bedtime dim the lights, create a calm atmosphere, and give your ADHD child time to wind-down. Use white noise and black-out curtains in the bedroom.

Essential oils or a weighted blanket may help settle your ADHD child for sleep. If nothing seems to help talk to your doctor about melatonin, which could be prescribed for short-term use to help your ADHD child fall asleep.

Melatonin for Kids with ADHD

The sleep hormone Melatonin is believed to be safe for short-term use by children. Melatonin is naturally released in the body to regulate our sleep-wake cycle. In ADHD children melatonin onset may be later than in other children making it harder for them to fall asleep and get a good night’s sleep.

Some doctors recommend a melatonin supplement in addition to ADHD medication. Although short-term use of melatonin appears to be safe further research is needed into the effects of long-term use of melatonin.

FAQ

How many hours of sleep does a child with ADHD need?

The National Sleep Foundation recommends 10-13 hours of sleep for 3-5-year-olds; 9-11 hours sleep for 6-13-year-olds and 8-10 hours of sleep for 14-17-year-olds and 7-9 hours of sleep for 18-25-year-olds. Children with ADHD should try to aim for these norms, although it is harder for ADHD children to reach these standards. Poor sleep may impact a child’s ADHD symptoms.

Does a child with ADHD need their own bedroom?

There are design choices you can make in your ADHD child’s bedroom that will help them get a better night’s sleep, organize their schoolwork and belongings, and feel calm. ADHD children need a calm environment and a peaceful haven in their bedrooms. Parents need to consider whether this is possible if sharing a room with siblings.

FAQ

If your house isn’t big enough to give your ADHD child their own room or if you want your kids to share a room then it is important to make sure that within the room your ADHD child has a private area or corner which is created to meet his ADHD needs.

What can I give my ADHD child to help sleep?

There are various strategies that can be used to help your ADHD child prepare for bedtime. If none of the bedtime strategies are working talk to your doctor about perhaps adjusting your child’s ADHD medication. Your doctor may recommend a melatonin supplement to help your child get a good night’s sleep.