Melatonin

Is Melatonin Safe for Children?

Many parents wonder whether melatonin a hormone often used as a sleep aid is safe or helpful for their children. While it has become popular in some households, there are several important factors to consider before giving it to a child.

Why use melatonin?

Melatonin is naturally produced by the body’s pineal gland, and its levels increase as night approaches, helping signal that it’s time for sleep. In supplement form, melatonin is meant to mimic that effect helping the body wind down and shift toward sleep.

Advocates sometimes use it when a child struggles to fall asleep, especially in cases of disrupted sleep patterns or with conditions like autism or ADHD.

What the concerns are

1. Lack of long-term data

   
   

   We don’t yet have enough solid research on how melatonin affects children over long periods. There are questions about how it might influence hormone development, puberty, or growth.

   
   

2. Dosage uncertainty and product consistency

   
   

   Because melatonin supplements are not regulated like prescription drugs in many places, their strength and purity can vary. Some studies have found discrepancies between what the label says and what's actually inside.

   
   

   Also, there's no universally accepted guideline for how much melatonin a child should take, making it risky to guess at doses.

   
   

3. Interference with sleep skills learning

   
   

   One argument against using melatonin regularly is that it may bypass opportunities to teach children healthy sleep habits and self-regulation. Relying on a supplement may reduce the motivation to develop good routines.

   
   

4. Side effects and potential interactions

   
   

   Common side effects include dizziness, headaches, drowsiness, and increased urination at night. Because melatonin can interact with other medications or health conditions, it’s not always safe for all children.

   
   

5. Risk of accidental ingestion

   
   

   Especially in younger children, melatonin in gummy or chewable form can look like candy, leading to overdoses. In fact, reports of unintentional melatonin ingestion among children have increased significantly over recent years.

   
   

When melatonin might be considered

Despite the risks, melatonin may have a role in certain cases particularly when:

• A child has difficulty initiating sleep (that is, they struggle to fall asleep at all).

• The sleep issue is linked to neurodevelopmental disorders (e.g. autism, ADHD), where melatonin is sometimes part of a broader plan.

• There’s a specific, short-term disruption (e.g. a shift after a break or daylight savings) that we’re trying to correct.

Even then, melatonin should not act alone. It should accompany strong sleep hygiene and behavioural strategies.

Safer alternatives and better practices

Rather than jumping to a supplement, consider reinforcing or establishing:

• Consistent bedtime routines

  
  

  Having the same calm, predictable sequence (bath, reading, low light) can help children’s bodies learn a natural signal for sleep.

  
  

• Reduced screen exposure before bed

  
  

  Phones, tablets and other screens emit blue light, which can suppress the body’s own melatonin production. Turning off screens an hour before bed can help.

  
  

• A suitable sleep environment

  
  

  Keep the bedroom dark, quiet, and cool. Make it a place primarily for sleep, not play or stimulation.

  
  

• Regular sleep wake times

  
  

  Having consistent wake-up helps stabilise circadian rhythms.

  
  

When these strategies don’t work or when a child’s situation is more complex, melatonin might be discussed as an option but always under guidance from a paediatrician or sleep specialist.

Bottom line

Melatonin isn’t inherently “bad,” but it has limitations, risks, and unknowns especially in children. Because we have better tools (sleep routines, environment, behaviour) and so many unanswered questions about long-term effects, melatonin should be used cautiously and only as part of a broader approach supervised by a medical professional.