Magnesium deficiency?/supplements? for kids

[MomOfAnOnly]

Does anyone have experience with magnesium deficiency/supplements in kids?

I haven't had DD tested, but I'm wondering if her most recent sleep issues could be a result of a mag deficiency. She eats almost nothing on the list of high magnesium foods (she occasionally goes through periods of eating peanuts, but maybe once every few months).

We tried melatonin and it helps her fall asleep quickly (even if she's had a late nap), but it doesn't help her stay asleep longer than 6 hours or so. She's up at 5am. For a year she had been sleeping until 9:30-10AM every morning, sometimes 11 or even noon, so this is a BIG change. For a couple weeks when this first started she would sleep 6 hours at night and then take a 3 hour nap during the day (she hasn't napped regularly for over a year). Now that we are a few weeks into this she sleeps about 7-8 hours at night and then takes a 45 minute nap during the day. 8-9 hours of sleep is so not enough for her! She's a wreck, and so am I honestly I'm grasping at straws. We both need to sleep!

[tanyachap]

It is very possible that she has some vitamin deficiency. Mag, calcium, some B vit's are all related to sleep. I accidentally discovered that supplementing with calcium resolves my worst irritability during PMS. I supplemented Kevin with magnesium for 2 weeks when he was 3 for his poor sleep but it did not change anything for him. In general, I think that's the problem with picky eaters (Kevin is one too): they don't get enough vitamins. I know the general wisdom is to test her first but it is very invasive and Kevin would freak out so I just supplemented to see if it makes any difference. I would have tested him for something more long term, of course.

[MomOfAnOnly]

It didn't dawn on me until I read your reply, but the daily multivitamin I started giving her when she was 2, she hasn't taken now in a couple months! And it has a small amount (50mg) of magnesium, not to mention everything else in it!! I bought the same brand different flavor, and she won't take them. I've been just giving her the rest of her vitamins- omega 3, calcium, vit D, and probiotics- and I was going to order new multivitamins when I needed to restock on everything. I think it's time to order NOW! Thank you!!!!!

[pepperlru]

I read this morning that almond butter is high in magnesium and thought of you. Two tbsp. has 30% of the daily recommended amount for an adult. Does she like almond butter? Noe likes it smeared on banana slices and then smooshed into sunflower seeds. I also put a glop in her oatmeal, and she eats it on celery or crackers and basically everywhere else you'd use PB.

[tanyachap]

Did you start giving her the vitamins? I hope you are seeing some difference in her sleep.

[MashedUp]

I don't know of what specifically to use for kids, but my mom, who has had insomnia since she was a kid and has tried everything under the sun, was recently started on magnesium supplements by her chiro/nutritionist. She said she can already notice a big improvement in her ability to fall and stay asleep.

[Palee]

Check out Natural Calm. I like the plain/original best. It seems to really help me, but be sure to add it gradually to the diet because it is a smooth muscle relaxant and will cause diarrhea if you give the full, recommended dose right away. It helps supports calcium absorption as well (any Mg+ does).