TODDLER
Do Kids Ever Need Melatonin or Sleeping Pills?
Does melatonin work as a sleep aid? And is it safe? Dr. Harvey Karp explains.
Written by
Dr. Harvey Karp
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Written by
Dr. Harvey Karp
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In generations past, parents used to give small children “a little something” to help put them to sleep—like a bit of Benadryl before a flight, a teeny nip of brandy, even a few drops of opium! These days, however, parents are more likely to turn to over-the-counter melatonin or ask their pediatrician for a prescription sleep aid. The problem? These can be too strong or backfire, accidentally making kids hyper. In fact, none of the common adult sleep medicines are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in children and are not available over the counter in many European countries.
Melatonin is a sleep hormone that gets naturally released when the lights dim and it’s close to night-night. On the flip side, exposure to morning sunlight lowers the production of melatonin, which helps set your child’s internal clock for an easier bedtime. Melatonin is sold over the counter as a sleep aid, and it’s not regulated by the FDA.
While melatonin plays an important role in sleep, melatonin supplements aren’t sleeping pills. Instead of putting your child to sleep, melatonin supplements help to “trick” your body into feeling like it’s nighttime. That said, melatonin has been shown to occasionally help children with serious sleep problems or jet lag. For example, some research suggests that melatonin may help children with some medically-related sleep difficulties, such as blindness, autism, or ADHD.
Even though melatonin is readily available, always consult your doctor before giving it to your child. Only use a very reputable brand of melatonin—and avoid melatonin that was harvested from the brains of animals.
Because supplements aren’t regulated, the purity and dosing of your melatonin is not assured. A recent report shows that an astounding 22 of 25 gummy melatonin supplements studied were not labeled correctly, often containing more melatonin than advertised. Plus, melatonin was the substance most often cited in calls about children to U.S. poison control centers. Over the past decade, pediatric melatonin overdoses have increased by 530%!
In some cases, a doctor might recommend melatonin for a toddler. But when it comes to giving supplements or medicine to children, generally less is better. Typically, a standard dose for young tots is 0.5 to 1 mg, given an hour before lights-out. Higher doses (3 to 10 mg) tend to be reserved for children with medically related sleep issues. (Though keep in mind that research has shown that upping the dosage doesn’t necessarily equal more sleep!) Of course, you should always consult with your doctor before giving your toddler medication or supplements!
Like any medication, melatonin can have side effects. These may include daytime grogginess, headache, and very vivid dreams. Some other possible side effects may include increased bedwetting, dizziness, and/or mood changes. It’s important to know that there have been no long-term clinical trials on melatonin and children.
So often, your little one’s sleep troubles can be turned around with a good wake-up and bedtime routine. Here are some proven strategies for getting your toddler to sleep, no medication or melatonin required:
Even though melatonin is readily available over the counter, always consult your doctor before giving it to your child. And if you have melatonin in your home, keep it out of your child’s reach to avoid any accidental ingestion and poisoning.
Disclaimer: The information on our site is NOT medical advice for any specific person or condition. It is only meant as general information. If you have any medical questions and concerns about your child or yourself, please contact your health provider. Breastmilk is the best source of nutrition for babies. It is important that, in preparation for and during breastfeeding, mothers eat a healthy, balanced diet. Combined breast- and bottle-feeding in the first weeks of life may reduce the supply of a mother's breastmilk and reversing the decision not to breastfeed is difficult. If you do decide to use infant formula, you should follow instructions carefully.
