{"id":26767,"date":"2022-11-14T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-11-14T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog-staging.saatva-node-stage.tsc-starts-coding.com\/melatonin-for-children\/"},"modified":"2023-08-28T22:14:24","modified_gmt":"2023-08-28T22:14:24","slug":"melatonin-for-children","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.saatva-node-stage.tsc-starts-coding.com\/blog\/melatonin-for-children\/","title":{"rendered":"Can You Give Children Melatonin? What Parents Need to Know"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If your child is having trouble falling asleep, you\u2019re not alone. About 15% to 25%<\/a> of children and teens have difficulty with sleep. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Getting enough sleep is crucial for your child\u2019s growth and development<\/a>. But, your child might be dealing with a poor sleep environment, anxiety<\/a>, or a health condition and that can make sleep more difficult. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Melatonin<\/a> is a popular sleep supplement commonly used by adults in order to get more shuteye. But can you give children melatonin? This article will discuss whether or not it\u2019s safe to give children melatonin supplements. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is melatonin?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Melatonin is a hormone made in the pineal gland in your brain. It helps regulate your child\u2019s natural sleep-wake cycle<\/a>. When you dim the lights before bed, melatonin production increases in the body, letting your child know it\u2019s time to sleep. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Melatonin is also sold as a dietary supplement and is often used to help people fall asleep. It imitates the effects of the natural melatonin the body produces. Melatonin comes in several forms including gummies, liquids, tablets, and capsules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can melatonin help your child sleep better?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The medical community needs to continue to study melatonin\u2019s effects on children. One 2013 PloS One<\/em><\/a> review looked at 19 studies of both children and adults with sleep issues and found that melatonin can help someone fall asleep faster, sleep longer, and improve the quality of sleep. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another study published in Sleep<\/em><\/a> found melatonin helped children fall asleep faster compared to those who used light therapy as a treatment for insomnia<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Melatonin supplements might help children with certain health conditions where sleep challenges are more common.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to one 2019 study<\/a>, those with attention-deficit\/hyperactivity disorder<\/a> (ADHD) who use 3 mg to 6 mg of melatonin at night may fall asleep faster and sleep longer through the night. Children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) might experience better sleep when taking 1 mg to 3 mg of melatonin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is melatonin safe for kids?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Studies performed on children taking melatonin have been small, and none of them have looked at long-term use. There hasn\u2019t been any reliable research<\/a> indicating the safety and effectiveness of melatonin for children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While melatonin is produced naturally in the body, doctors aren\u2019t sure what effects melatonin supplements can have on a child\u2019s development, particularly when it comes to their hormones. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Generally, melatonin appears to be safe for children on a short-term basis and might help with sleep concerns. Not all melatonin products are the same, however. Brands can contain varying doses and may not even match what’s labeled on the bottle. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As always, speak with your child\u2019s pediatrician before introducing any new supplements into their routine. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn\u2019t regulate melatonin supplements, so it\u2019s best to ask your child\u2019s doctor for product recommendations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is melatonin safe for babies?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the beginning, newborns don\u2019t produce melatonin<\/a>. Instead, they get their melatonin through the placenta and later, through breastmilk. By about 18 weeks<\/a> after birth, most babies have developed their circadian rhythms, and natural melatonin production increases as they get older.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not recommended for babies to take melatonin as there\u2019s no long-term research on the effects of melatonin on babies. Instead, talk with your baby\u2019s pediatrician if you notice your baby is having trouble getting a good night\u2019s sleep. They can advise you if you should give your baby melatonin.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s a safe melatonin dosage for kids?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The American Academy of Pediatrics states that 0.5 mg to 1 mg<\/a> of melatonin can be helpful to most children and that they don\u2019t need to take more than 3 mg to 6 mg. Try to give it 30 to 90 minutes before bedtime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Work with your child\u2019s pediatrician to find the melatonin dose that works for your child. It\u2019s always best to start at the lowest dose and increase as necessary. Unintentional overdoses of melatonin<\/a> are highest in children who are under 5 years old. (Learn whether melatonin sprays<\/a> work.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Are there any side effects of melatonin for children?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Melatonin supplements have fewer side effects than other sleep aids, but it\u2019s still possible for your child to experience them. Side effects of melatonin in children include<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n