Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsMelatonin SafetyDosing and FrequencyPotential Side EffectsKid-Friendly Alternatives
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Melatonin Safety
Dosing and Frequency
Potential Side Effects
Kid-Friendly Alternatives
Between 15% and 25% of children and adolescents have trouble falling and stayingasleep.These common sleeping woes have prompted many parents to look tonatural sleep aids, includingmelatonin.
The use of melatonin supplements has increased among all age groups. It’s now the second most common natural product given to children, behind multivitamins.While melatonin is generally considered safe for the short term, little is known about the long-term effects of the supplement.
This article discusses safety information about melatonin and kids, dosage recommendations, and alternative methods for improving sleep in kids.
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Popularity of Melatonin
Melatonin Safety in Children: Knowns and Unknowns
When it comes to the safety of melatonin use in children, there seem to be more unknowns than knowns.
Most research has shown that giving kids melatonin for a short period (three months or less) is relatively safe.But there’s not enough data to show that using the supplement for longer is safe or effective.
Most studies and guidelines on melatonin use in kids have focused on children with other conditions, such asautismandattention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). There’s limited research on using the supplement in children without these conditions.
Safety Concerns
One safety concern is toxicity. Reports ofmelatonin poisoninghave increased in recent years. There were more than 260,000 reports of child poisonings involving melatonin from 2012 to 2021.Most of these children recovered, but two died, and others needed hospital care.
In one study, melatonin amounts ranged from less than half to more than 4 times what was stated on the label.The chewable melatonin tablets seemed to have the most inconsistent amounts of melatonin.
Additionally, some of the studied melatonin products contained other substances requiring prescriptions. One study tested 31 different melatonin supplements and found that 26% of the products containedserotonin, a hormone that can cause harmful effects on children.
While the long-term consequences of using melatonin in children and adolescents are unknown, there’s some concern that the hormone could affect a child’s growth and development.
There are no specific guidelines on how much melatonin kids should take. Parents should consult a pediatric healthcare professional who can recommend appropriate doses and timing forsleep disturbances.
Selecting a Melatonin ProductWhen selecting a melatonin product, parents should select one with a USP Verified Mark for safer use.
Selecting a Melatonin Product
When selecting a melatonin product, parents should select one with a USP Verified Mark for safer use.
Healthcare providers will always recommend starting with the lowest dose of melatonin possible and then increase it only if necessary. A low dose, 0.5 milligrams (mg) or 1 mg, taken 30 to 90 minutes before they go to sleep, typically works well with children.Always speak with a healthcare provider about the right dose for your child.
Formulations
Melatonin comes in a variety of forms for children, including:
Many children don’t experience side effects when taking melatonin. However, some potential side effects of melatonin include:
Melatonin can interact with other medicines that children take. It’s important to talk to your child’s healthcare provider before starting on this supplement, especially if they take other medications.
Before Trying MelatoninBefore starting children on melatonin supplements, speak with apediatric healthcare provider. Many sleep troubles can be better managed with propersleep hygieneinstead ofmelatonin use.
Before Trying Melatonin
Before starting children on melatonin supplements, speak with apediatric healthcare provider. Many sleep troubles can be better managed with propersleep hygieneinstead ofmelatonin use.
Kid-Friendly Melatonin Alternatives
Some alternatives to melatonin supplements include medications.Antihistaminesrelieveallergiesbut may also cause drowsiness. You should talk to a healthcare provider before trying an antihistamine for sleep.
There are alsosleep medicationsa healthcare provider can prescribe. These drugs are typically used in adults but can also be helpful for children.However, about 80% of people report drowsiness and other lingering next-day side effects after taking a sleep aid.
Sleep Hygiene
Good sleep hygiene is also vital for children and adolescents. Many kids respond to changes in routine and other strategies that can prompt a healthy sleep environment. Some general tips include:
Summary
Melatonin is a popular dietary supplement parents often give their children and teens who have difficulty falling asleep. While short-term use of the hormone appears safe, researchers aren’t sure how melatonin affects kids in the long run.
9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Pediatrics.Melatonin for kids: What parents should know about this sleep aid.Harvard Health.New advice on melatonin use in children.Sleep Foundation.Melatonin dosage for kids.National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Melatonin: What you need to know.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Pediatric melatonin ingestions - United States, 2012-2021.American Academy of Sleep Medicine.Health advisory: Melatonin use in children and adolescents.Sleep Foundation.Sleep aids.Fitzgerald T, Vietri J.Residual effects of sleep medications are commonly reported and associated with impaired patient-reported outcomes among insomnia patients in the united states.Sleep Disord. 2015;2015:607148. doi:10.1155/2015/607148Sleep Foundation.Sleep strategies for kids.
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Pediatrics.Melatonin for kids: What parents should know about this sleep aid.Harvard Health.New advice on melatonin use in children.Sleep Foundation.Melatonin dosage for kids.National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Melatonin: What you need to know.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Pediatric melatonin ingestions - United States, 2012-2021.American Academy of Sleep Medicine.Health advisory: Melatonin use in children and adolescents.Sleep Foundation.Sleep aids.Fitzgerald T, Vietri J.Residual effects of sleep medications are commonly reported and associated with impaired patient-reported outcomes among insomnia patients in the united states.Sleep Disord. 2015;2015:607148. doi:10.1155/2015/607148Sleep Foundation.Sleep strategies for kids.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Academy of Pediatrics.Melatonin for kids: What parents should know about this sleep aid.Harvard Health.New advice on melatonin use in children.Sleep Foundation.Melatonin dosage for kids.National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Melatonin: What you need to know.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Pediatric melatonin ingestions - United States, 2012-2021.American Academy of Sleep Medicine.Health advisory: Melatonin use in children and adolescents.Sleep Foundation.Sleep aids.Fitzgerald T, Vietri J.Residual effects of sleep medications are commonly reported and associated with impaired patient-reported outcomes among insomnia patients in the united states.Sleep Disord. 2015;2015:607148. doi:10.1155/2015/607148Sleep Foundation.Sleep strategies for kids.
American Academy of Pediatrics.Melatonin for kids: What parents should know about this sleep aid.
Harvard Health.New advice on melatonin use in children.
Sleep Foundation.Melatonin dosage for kids.
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Melatonin: What you need to know.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Pediatric melatonin ingestions - United States, 2012-2021.
American Academy of Sleep Medicine.Health advisory: Melatonin use in children and adolescents.
Sleep Foundation.Sleep aids.
Fitzgerald T, Vietri J.Residual effects of sleep medications are commonly reported and associated with impaired patient-reported outcomes among insomnia patients in the united states.Sleep Disord. 2015;2015:607148. doi:10.1155/2015/607148
Sleep Foundation.Sleep strategies for kids.
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