In this article:
- Melatonin is meant for short-term use: two months or less.
- Not recommended in children 2 years and younger.
- How it works
- Minding the dosage
- Potential side effects
Is it safe to give your child melatonin to help them sleep? How much and how often? For answers in this Sound Advice column, we reached out to Dr. Sarah Matches, a DFWChild Mom Approved pediatrician at the UNT Health Clinical Practice Group in Fort Worth.
Sarah Matches, DO: Children often have difficulty falling asleep, and this can be from a variety of reasons, including trauma, illness, changes in routine, anxiety or depression, and neurodevelopmental disorders. Consulting your health care provider about possible causes of sleep difficulties is a good first step to addressing sleep concerns and determining best treatment options.
Establishing healthy sleep habits without medication is always preferred and is usually effective. Establishing consistent bedtime routines and minimizing blue light exposure (which is emitted from electronic screens) for one hour before bedtime can go a long way toward making it easier for your child to fall asleep. However, sometimes additional support is needed to help get children who are 2 years or older into a better routine. This is when melatonin may be considered.
RELATED: Safe Sleeping Practices for Baby
How Melatonin Works
Melatonin is a hormone released by the body to help regulate the sleep-wake cycle, also known as our circadian rhythm. It is released in response to darkness as the day progresses. Disruptions in normal bedtime can affect the natural release of melatonin, such as when we travel, during school breaks or when there has been an illness. Using melatonin can be helpful in the short term to get children back into their usual sleep cycle. Melatonin is not intended for long-term use.
RELATED: Why Won’t My Child Sleep?
Regulation & Dosage
Melatonin is sold over the counter (without a prescription) as a sleep aid in a variety of forms, including liquid, chewables, gummies, tablets and capsules. It is important to recognize that these products are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
In fact, a recent study looking at the content of melatonin in supplements showed some contained no melatonin at all, while others contained up to six times more than the stated amount on the label. None of the supplements had melatonin considered to be above the maximum dose. Another study showed the presence of CBD (cannabidiol). Melatonin is not recommended in children ages 2 or younger.
If you and your health care provider agree that melatonin may be beneficial, the starting dose in children is recommended to be 0.5 to 1 mg taken 30 to 90 minutes prior to bedtime. Increases in dose should always be discussed with your health care provider, but most individuals do not need more than a 3 to 6 mg dose. It is important to recognize that melatonin is for short-term use, which is two months or less.
RELATED: Sound Advice: Does My Child Need a Multivitamin?
Potential Side Effects of Melatonin
Side effects from short-term use may include sleepiness, morning drowsiness and increased nighttime urination. Adolescents also sometimes complain about having vivid dreams. As with all supplements, you should check with your provider to make sure that melatonin does not interfere with medications your child is already taking, whether over the counter or prescribed.
Long-term use of melatonin in children is not recommended because, unfortunately, there is no data available on the effects in children of long-term use beyond two months. Continued use after two months should be under the direction of your child’s health care provider.
Sleep is a vital part of a child’s overall health and development, so discussing your concerns with your child’s health care provider is the first step in determining whether melatonin is an appropriate intervention for your child.
RELATED: Search our Mom-Approved directory for reader-nominated pediatricians near you
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