More parents are giving their children . According to new research, nearly half of them provide the over-the-counter supplement to .
鈥淲hen a child is having a hard time falling asleep, it often means nobody in the family will sleep well,鈥 says Elizabeth R. Smith, MD, a pediatrician at University of Utah 星空传媒. 鈥淧arents may resort to melatonin for help when sleep schedules aren鈥檛 predictable.鈥
While melatonin is generally safe for children, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) does not recommend routine usage of the supplement and encourages parents to speak with their child鈥檚 pediatrician before providing it to them.
Pediatricians at University of Utah 星空传媒 agree and urge caution. Here鈥檚 why:
Melatonin will not solve sleep problems
Melatonin is a natural sleep substance our bodies make that helps settle our brains and queue us to fall sleep. Melatonin is also sold as a supplement that helps you fall asleep, but it does not keep you asleep. It鈥檚 meant to be used short-term unless otherwise discussed with a doctor.
For short-term purposes, melatonin can help reset sleep schedules or help establish bedtime routines. However, sometimes it鈥檚 used more regularly for children with developmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, or mental health disorders.
Melatonin is not regulated by the FDA
Melatonin is considered a supplement. Because of this labeling, dosage can get tricky. can vary from half a milligram up to 10 milligrams.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 where we get in trouble, because it鈥檚 not regulated,鈥 Smith says. 鈥淣o one is doing the quality measures to make sure the melatonin is exactly as the bottle describes.鈥
A found that in a nine-year span, melatonin ingestion increased 530% in the United States, causing a rapid increase in pediatric hospitalizations and a 70% increase in calls to poison control centers for children under the age of five.
While parents should talk to a pediatrician about dosage before providing it to their child, Smith recommends to start with the lowest dose possible. Not providing the right dosage could potentially lead to:
- Vivid dreams
- Grogginess
- Agitation
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Mood swings
- Increased urination at night
More research is needed
Melatonin is a sleep aid, not a sleep solution. And more research is needed to better understand the long-term use of the supplement among children. Research has shown that providing melatonin to children on a short-term basis is relatively safe. Still, some studies question the impact of melatonin on a child鈥檚 growth and development.
Sleep tips for parents
The best advice for parents is to establish a night routine for their children with these three tips:
- Set a bedtime: Aim to put your child to bed at the same time every night.
- Have a plan: A bedtime routine may take 20-30 minutes and may entail changing clothes, brushing teeth, taking a bath, reading a story, or singing a song.
- Be consistent: Understandably, schedules and daily activities change every day, but establishing a bedtime routine will help your child settle down and fall asleep.
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