<p>So I imagine it's the newness of it all, adjusting to sharing a room with two other almost complete strangers, but my freshman student is complaining about having trouble sleeping. He's loving everything else about being a college student. Has loads of new friends, is enjoying classes and feels he is already learning both academically and in terms of just growing up and being independent. </p>
<p>But as tired as he is at night, he says takes forever to fall asleep and he doesn't always stay asleep. I shared everything I know about yoga breathing and meditation to help switch off that endless loop of anxiety. He has been exercising early in the day, since we know that that should help. No coffee after 12 noon. He has earplugs and an eye mask. Still no luck. Now to other tools: He has a mattress cover that is slightly padded. He was wondering if he should add something else like an egg crate or memory foam topper to make his bed cozier and more comfy.
Any advice?</p>
<p>Our DS has a topper and it makes the bed much more comfortable. You can ship him one if he’s far away…might help if he feels his bed is too hard.</p>
<p>I got kiddo a (synthetic…allergies) featherbed topper for her cruddy dorm mattress. Asked her how that felt. Her text: Oh. I. Melted. Very comfy. Does your son worry (as babyfrog does) about making sure to get up in time for class? She has mostly 8 a.m classes (roommate does not get up that early) and I think there is some measure of concern w/out the mom wakeup service that she’ll sleep through class. We got her a new alarm clock, and that seemed to help.</p>
<p>It certainly couldn’t hurt to make sure he has a comfy place sleep…nice sheets, soft blankets, topper, etc. Also, I use lavender as a sleep aid. Just a few drops on my pillow.</p>
<p>Essentail Oil of Lavender sprinkled on a tissue and placed on pillow near nose. Works every time . . . We call it a “lavender tissue” at our house. Good luck.</p>
<p>My son used to actually walk into my room and wake me up to give him a lavender tissue. (when he was younger)</p>
<p>I would imagine it sprinkled on a hanky type of cloth would be better. Use it a couple of nights and re-sprinkle as needed. We haven’t tried that yet.</p>
<p>My youngest has always had the insomnia and tough to fall asleep thing. A friend suggested lavender oil for her and we used to put it on her temples and wrists at night and she would fall asleep very soundly and easily.</p>
<p>Melatonin can help, too. But, if he’s on medication for anything, then check that with a doctor first.</p>
Yes - do this. It might make a big difference since the mattresses they have in the dorms aren’t exactly the high end variety (i.e. can be very uncomfortable without a decent foam pad).</p>
<p>Interesting comments about Lavender…I can’t stand the smell. But I agree making the bedding comfy does help and a smell he likes would probably add to it.</p>
<p>Does his room have a window? Does it need a shade or curtains (whatever they allow) to help darken the room? </p>
<p>I know some people like those sound machines that play southing sounds…not sure how that would work in a room with others though.</p>
<p>On the shopping list, then: lavender oil, melatonin (should be fine - not on other meds), and some kind of mattress topper --any specific brand recommendations or types to avoid? I think once I have this figured out, I’ll send these items directly to him since he is a six hour drive away. </p>
<p>I remember when my kids were babies and hardly slept that I felt that even a little blip was insurmountable if I was experiencing sleep deprivation. But after a decent night’s sleep, I could handle anything. I so want to help him get into a healthy sleep pattern. Thanks for suggestions. Keep 'em coming!</p>
<p>D purchased a mattress topper at Target 2 years ago when she started college and says it’s been wonderful. We couldn’t find twin so we just got a full size & cut it down.</p>
<p>I’ve seen lavender sleep sprays for your pillow at Bath & Body Works. Might be worth a try.</p>
<p>My sister-in-law travels a lot for her job & she purchased a sleep machine app for her iPhone. Just looked one up that seems to have good ratings that’s only $1.99!</p>
<p>My son loves his memory foam pad (regular twin size on an XL dorm mattress) that we purchased at Costco several years ago. You could have it sent directly from Costco. A 2.5" regular twin size pad is currently $99 online, including shipping. It’s a good idea to let it air out over night before using, to help get rid of the foam smell. We put a mattress cover (the anti-bed bug type from BB&B) on the dorm mattress, put the memory foam on top, and then topped the memory foam and mattress with a good quality mattress pad from BB&B. Also purchased good quality XL cotton sheets from BB&B and topped it with his old twin-bed comforter.</p>
<p>His roommate like my son’s bed so much, he went to Costco on move-in day and bought himself a memory foam pad!</p>
<p>One warning about the memory foam - they really stink. It takes 24 hours to air out, and I still wonder about what icky chemicals are off gassing that I can’t smell. I like ours, but I don’t think it’s* that* much more comfortable than the old egg crate.</p>