💊Melatonin Supplements
Understanding melatonin supplements for children: safety, effectiveness, and when to consider them
Considering Melatonin for Your Child?
If your child has insomnia (trouble falling asleep or staying asleep), you might wonder if melatonin supplements can help. Always talk to the doctor before giving your child any new supplement or medicine. Here's what to know in the meantime.
This guide will help you understand what melatonin is, how it works, and the important considerations for using it with children.
🌙What Is Melatonin?
Melatonin (mel-eh-TOE-nen) is a hormone that the brain releases when it gets dark. It tells the body that it's time to get ready for sleep. When the sun comes up and it gets light outside, the brain slows its melatonin production, which helps the body wake up.
Important Note:
Other lights — especially blue light from electronic devices — also stop melatonin from being released. This is why screen time before bed can interfere with natural sleep patterns.
💊What Are Melatonin Supplements?
Melatonin also can be made in a lab. It's sold in stores as a dietary supplement that people can buy without a prescription to help them sleep. Dietary supplements (pills or other products taken by mouth to support the diet) don't need U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval before they can be sold. So, some melatonin supplements may contain ingredients that aren't listed on the label or the amount of melatonin in them might differ from what's listed.
Available Forms:
- •Pills and tablets
- •Gummies
- •Liquid forms
- •Sprays (mouth or bedroom)
- •Inhalable forms
Important Warnings:
- •Newer forms (inhalable, sprays) aren't recommended for children as they haven't been studied yet
- •Supplements may contain unlisted ingredients
- •Actual melatonin amounts may differ from label
- •No FDA approval required before sale
⚠️Are Melatonin Supplements Safe?
Experts are still studying whether melatonin supplements are safe and effective for kids. Some studies have shown that using melatonin for a short time at low doses is likely safe, but it can sometimes cause side effects in kids and teens, such as:
Potential Side Effects:
- •Headaches
- •Dizziness
- •Anxiety
- •Morning sleepiness
Safety Concerns:
- •Can interact with other medicines or supplements
- •Reports of melatonin poisoning requiring hospital care
- •May contain higher doses than labeled
- •Store safely out of children's reach
👶Is It OK for Kids and Teens to Take Melatonin Supplements?
Doctors usually don't recommend melatonin for kids and teens. If your child has trouble sleeping, improving sleep hygiene and creating new habits may be all that's needed.
Better Alternatives First:
Encourage your kids to:
- •Stick to a regular sleep schedule
- •Have a relaxing bedtime routine
- •Avoid bright lights and electronic devices at night
When to Seek Help:
If your child or teen has good sleep hygiene but still:
- •Feels sleepy during the day
- •Struggles to fall asleep at night
- •Has persistent sleep problems
Talk to the doctor. Your child might have a sleep condition (or another health condition) that can be treated.
💡What Else Should I Know?
Talk to the doctor before giving your child melatonin. They might recommend a trial of melatonin for a short while for a teen who needs to reset their sleep schedule, or for kids with certain conditions that affect sleep. The doctor can help you figure out the best melatonin form and dosage for your child.
When Doctor Might Recommend:
- •Teens who need to reset their sleep schedule
- •Kids with certain conditions that affect sleep
- •Short-term trials under medical supervision
Doctor Can Help With:
- •Determining the best melatonin form
- •Finding the right dosage
- •Monitoring for side effects
- •Recommending reliable brands
❓Frequently Asked Questions About Melatonin Supplements
Is melatonin safe for children?
Experts are still studying whether melatonin supplements are safe and effective for kids. Some studies show that using melatonin for a short time at low doses is likely safe, but it can cause side effects like headaches, dizziness, anxiety, and morning sleepiness. Always talk to your doctor before giving your child melatonin.
What is melatonin and how does it work?
Melatonin is a hormone that the brain releases when it gets dark, telling the body it's time to get ready for sleep. When it gets light outside, the brain slows melatonin production to help the body wake up. Blue light from electronic devices can also stop melatonin from being released, which is why screen time before bed can interfere with sleep.
Do doctors recommend melatonin for children?
Doctors usually don't recommend melatonin for kids and teens. Instead, they typically suggest improving sleep hygiene first - sticking to regular sleep schedules, having relaxing bedtime routines, and avoiding bright lights and electronic devices at night. These habits can help the body make more melatonin naturally.
What are the different forms of melatonin supplements?
Melatonin supplements come in many forms including pills, gummies, liquids, sprays, and inhalable forms. However, newer forms like inhalable and spray versions aren't recommended for children as they haven't been studied yet. Traditional pills, gummies, and liquids are generally considered safer options.
Are melatonin supplements regulated by the FDA?
No, dietary supplements like melatonin don't need FDA approval before they can be sold. This means some melatonin supplements may contain ingredients that aren't listed on the label, or the amount of melatonin might differ from what's listed. This is why it's important to ask your doctor which brands are most reliable.
What side effects can melatonin cause in children?
Melatonin can sometimes cause side effects in kids and teens, including headaches, dizziness, anxiety, and morning sleepiness. It can also interact with other medicines or supplements, making them not work as well. There have also been reports of melatonin poisoning requiring hospital care, so it's important to store melatonin safely out of children's reach.
When might a doctor recommend melatonin for a child?
A doctor might recommend a short trial of melatonin for teens who need to reset their sleep schedule, or for kids with certain conditions that affect sleep. However, this should only be done under medical supervision. The doctor can help determine the best form, dosage, and reliable brands for your child.
What should I do if my child has trouble sleeping?
First, focus on improving sleep hygiene: establish regular sleep schedules, create relaxing bedtime routines, and avoid bright lights and electronic devices at night. If your child still has trouble sleeping despite good sleep habits, talk to your doctor. They might have a sleep condition or another health condition that can be treated.
Can melatonin help with jet lag or sleep schedule changes?
Melatonin might be helpful for teens who need to reset their sleep schedule, such as after travel or during schedule changes. However, this should only be done under a doctor's supervision. The doctor can recommend the appropriate timing and dosage to help reset the body's natural sleep-wake cycle safely.
How should I store melatonin supplements safely?
Store melatonin with other medicines and supplements, out of reach of your children. Treat it like any other medication - keep it in a secure location where children cannot access it. This is especially important since there have been reports of melatonin poisoning in children who accidentally ingested too much.