There are no overall guidelines how to best improve sleep in children, but behavioral treatments like improving bedtime habits and parental education tend to be the gold standard. Potential benefits in kids with ASD, ADHD, and atopic dermatitisĬhildren with atopic dermatitis, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are more prone to sleep problems than other children. Given the lack of research, and specifically well designed research where long term outcomes are measured, we just can’t know if the benefits outweigh the risks. We don’t know what the best dose and timing is for children, nor do we know what the longterm impact of use may be. Lack of researchĪgain, because there aren’t many studies on children and melatonin supplements, we can’t draw any confident conclusions about benefits. Until we have scientifically rigorous longitudinal date, we just can’t know if it’s safe or if it will impact your child’s development. But we don’t know for sure because there isn’t enough research yet. Impact on puberty and growthīecause melatonin is a hormone, it’s possible that these supplements could affect hormonal development, including puberty, menstrual cycles, and overproduction of the hormone prolactin. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a low dose of 0.5 to 1 milligrams 30 to 90 minutes before bedtime, but experts are still researching what’s safe and effective in the short term, what’s considered too much, and what the longterm risks/benefits may be. Or maybe they need a little security building at bedtime! But, if you’re considering, please do talk with your child’s pediatrician first and follow appropriate dosing for children. What is the appropriate melatonin dose for a child?įirst: please consider that in most cases, your kid can start falling asleep easily and sleeping well with tweaks to their schedule and/or routine. If you give your child a melatonin supplement, be mindful of the following symptoms: Melatonin overdose is serious, requiring immediate medical attention. Just because it’s OTC doesn’t mean it’s safe to leave out, and this goes for all supplements. It’s no wonder kiddos are finding these “treats” and helping themselves. Go to the pharmacy, grocery or health foods store and you’ll see oodles melatonin options, many with berry and fruit flavors, sugar coating, and even melatonin chocolates. Most of the hospitalized children were teenagers, and many of those were believed to be suicide attempts. Over the 10 years studied, more than 4,000 kids were hospitalized, five needed to be put on machines to help them breathe, and two - both younger than 2 - died. Melatonin overdose is rising (parallel to melatonin use), and ingestions in children, resulting in calls to poison control, increased 530% between 20. Dear companies manufacturing melatonin supplements: THIS IS NOT COOL!!! Overdosing is frightening trend So you might be giving your kids a cocktail of hormones. In many countries, melatonin requires a doctor’s prescription. YIKES!Īlso, in a 2017 study that tested 31 different melatonin brands, the researchers found that 26% contained seratonin, an entirely different hormone that can have harmful effects in even relatively small doses. Scientific evaluations of the OTC melatonin brands have found concentrations that range from 83% less than that claimed on the label to 478% more than stated. That means, you might think you’re taking or giving your kid 1 mg of melatonin, but in fact it could be far more. Melatonin isn’t regulated by the FDA in the way that prescription drugs are, so there’s no oversight regarding purity of ingredients or accuracy of dosing. When the sun goes down, melatonin levels rise to make you sleepy. It plays an important role in regulation of the sleep–wake cycle, helping our bodies fall in line with the natural dark and light cycles of the sun. Melatonin is a hormone released in the evening by the pineal gland, a pea-sized gland in the middle of the brain. But given my background in public health, my general dislike of risk-taking, and the fact that I know I’m doing everything in my power to drive their natural sleepiness at bedtime, I’ve opted to keep melatonin use to minimum with my kids. In full transparency: I’ve given both of my kids melatonin on occasion and see how there’s a slippery slope from occasional to nightly use. But its likely they can sleep even better without it-more on this later. If you’ve used it with your kids, it’s probably because you’re exhausted and your kids are fighting sleep. And giving your child a melatonin supplement is absolutely a health decision.īut, please: NO SHAME. In spite of it’s ubiquitousness, melatonin isn’t a wonder-drug, it can’t teach a child to feel safe and secure in their beds, and it comes with risks.Īs parents, we need to know the whole story when making health decisions about our children.
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