Giving your kid a Melatonin for better sleep is safe is used the proper way, experts say

Every parent has had a restless night because their child refused to sleep. Sometimes, kids just have a hard time going asleep.

Consequently, many parents seek strategies to assist their children in falling asleep. Increasingly common is the practice of giving children sleep aids.

There are various choices, however parents often choose for melatonin supplementation. Melatonin is a natural component of the human body. Melatonin is a hormone that is secreted by our brains at bedtime.

Melatonin’s attraction is that it is a natural supplement, but is it safe for children?

Is melatonin safe for kids?

“Sleep is a crucial concern. Sarah Zallek, MD, medical director of the sleep department at OSF HealthCare Illinois Neurological Institute, stated that there are several behavioral and environmental measures that may be used to address underlying sleep problems.

Melatonin and other sleep aids are not Dr. Zallek’s first prescription for parents of children with difficulty falling asleep.

“It appears safe. Most of the time, melatonin is safe for children. However, we do not know the long-term effects. Dr. Zallek stated, “However, there are circumstances in which melatonin has shown to be quite beneficial, notably for youngsters on the autistic spectrum.”

Always consult your kid’s physician before administering any medication to your youngster. Melatonin should only be administered to children under the age of 3 if it has been approved by a doctor.

Melatonin dose for kids

If your child’s physician has granted you permission to supplement his or her sleep with melatonin on occasion, be careful to follow all instructions. Melatonin supplements are available in pill, capsule, liquid, and gummy forms.

Understanding the proper amount of melatonin for your child is essential for utilizing sleep aids efficiently. Melatonin should be given thirty to ninety minutes before to bedtime.

Inquire with your child’s physician about the correct dose for children under 3 years old.

Child’s mass (3 or older)

Maximum melatonin dosage
Less than 88 lbs. – 0.5-3 mg
More than 88 pounds – 1-5 mg

Many children will respond to a modest dose, so begin with the smallest dose possible.

It is vital that you do not exceed the suggested dosage for your child’s age and weight.

Melatonin overdose

Because melatonin comes in the shape of gummies, which are appealing to children, it is crucial to keep them out of the reach of children at all times.

“Children are inquisitive beings. Any drug in the improper dosage has the potential to be harmful, therefore parents must always keep melatonin out of their children’s reach. Even though it looks safe since it’s available without a prescription, children may and do overdose on melatonin, according to Dr. Zallek.

Overdoses of melatonin in youngsters have grown by 530% during the previous decade.

Although melatonin overdoses are rarely considered life-threatening, you should always contact a physician if your kid has overdosed. Call Poison Control Centers at (800) 222-1222 if you find your kid is sluggish, unresponsive, dizzy, or has an elevated heart rate.

Melatonin afflictions

Melatonin has the following adverse effects:

• Bedwetting
• Headache
• Drowsiness
• Daytime sleepiness
• agitation Mood alterations
• Dizziness sluggishness, particularly in the morning
• Healthy sleep patterns for children

If you decide to give your child melatonin to help them sleep, you should also encourage good sleep habits. Here are some alternatives to melatonin that are safe for children:

• Establish a nightly regimen and stick to it.
• Keep daytime naps brief, particularly for older children.
• Put them to bed while they are still awake (instead of letting them fall asleep in your bed, on the couch, etc. and carrying them to bed later).
• The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry discourages children under the age of 12 from taking caffeine.
• No sweets before bed: Every parent can recognize a child’s sugar rush. Children that are sugar-hyped have difficulty calming down.
• Display time: 30 minutes before bed, end all screen time.
• Keep your child’s bed for sleeping and not for playing.
• Keep children moving during the day so they may release their excess energy while it’s still light outside.
• Kids and displays

Screen time before bed, such as time spent on tablets, laptops, or in front of the television, can disrupt the body’s natural sleep cycle. These devices generate blue light, which can deceive our brains into believing it is not evening, preventing our bodies from releasing melatonin normally. It is essential to switch off any gadgets used by children at least 30 minutes before to bedtime.