Hey friends! Let’s chat about melatonin, a hormone that helps regulate our sleep patterns. While our bodies naturally produce melatonin, some folks, especially kids and teens, are turning to supplements to help them snooze better. Melatonin can be helpful for children whose internal clocks are out of sync or those dealing with developmental challenges.
Interestingly, the use of melatonin has skyrocketed over the last 20 years, making it the second most popular “natural” remedy that parents give their kids—just after multivitamins. However, with this rise comes an increase in melatonin overdoses, reports to poison control, and trips to the emergency room, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Before considering melatonin for your child, it’s super important to chat with a healthcare professional. In the U.S., melatonin is classified as a “dietary supplement,” which means it isn’t regulated by the FDA like other medications. This lack of regulation can lead to big differences in what’s actually in those supplements. For example, one study found that the amount of melatonin in some products varied widely—some had less than half or more than four times the amount listed on the label. Chewable tablets, which are often the go-to for kids, showed the most variability. Some even contained other ingredients that require a prescription!
Tips for Safe Use of Melatonin in Children and Teens
To ensure the safe use of melatonin for children and teens, here are a few tips:
- Treat melatonin like any other medication—keep it out of reach of kids.
- Always consult with a pediatric healthcare provider before starting melatonin or any supplement. Oftentimes, sleep issues can be managed through changes in routine, habits, or behaviors instead of relying on melatonin.
- If melatonin is recommended, your healthcare provider can help determine the right dose and timing. Look for products with the USP Verified Mark to ensure better quality.
So, before you pop that melatonin for your little one, remember to do your homework and consult an expert.
And if snoring is also a concern in your household, you might want to check out the Snorple Anti-Snoring Mouthpiece, which can help tackle snoring issues right from the first night. If you want to learn more about how to use a mouthpiece to stop snoring, take a look at this guide on snoring mouthpieces. It’s really helpful!
For tips on how to discuss your partner’s snoring without any awkwardness, check out our post here. And if you’re looking for more information on sleep and snoring, UCSF Health is a great resource.
Finally, if you want to dive deeper into the best ways to stop snoring, don’t miss this article on anti-snoring mouthpieces.
Sleep tight, and do your best to keep those sleep routines healthy!