Can kids take melatonin?

Does anyone have any experience with melatonin for kids? My 4 year old has such a hard time falling asleep. It’s been going on for years. I thought she’d out grow it but just seems to get worse. We have a consistent bed time routine but it always takes her 2-3 hours to fall asleep. Someone suggested melatonin. We looked it up and there’s many kinds and some say they can only take for 2 weeks. I want something longer lasting then that. Any suggestions? Thank you!

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We use the zarbees melatonin on our 5yr old, not every night though.

I use it for my daughter works good for us

My nephew takes melatonin. Has for a couple years now. It’s even prescribed by his doctor, but it wasn’t at first (yay for better medical professionals in states that aren’t Oklahoma). We get the 3 or 5mg gummies for him (depending on what’s available at the store). But be careful because an overdose of melatonin has the opposite effect! Lol it’ll keep them awake! Oh, also, my nephew started taking melatonin about the same age. Perfectly safe.

I’ve used it before only half of a zarabees melatonin which would be 2.5mg I’ve only used it very occasionally though and haven’t for a long time. Its fine I think as long as you dont use it alot because then the kid could have a hard time falling asleep without it. Also take one yourself too just to see because even those 5mg zarabees ones for kids knocked me out and gave me weird dreams.

My eldest has used melatonin from 5 years to current age (12). We have attempted doctor scripts and even our doctors eventually return us to melatonin. It’s the best thing to help him fall asleep…however :point_up:t2:, he does still spontaneously wake around early EARLY morning (like 3:30-4:30) but usually with a glass of water and a tuck in we are good to go until wake up time. We started on a low dose of 2mg and he has been at 5mg for about the past 3 years. I do administer about 45-60 minutes before bedtime. Melatonin has been a blessing :pray:t2:

Organic and alot of people say it works

I give it to my ten year old and have since he was four and it works. It’s all natural.

I use Melatonin for my 5 yr old son. Dr had recommended it for him, he is currently getting tested for ADHD and Autism. We give him a 3mg dissolvable tablet just about every night. They say to give for 2 weeks and then take a weekend off so they don’t get dependant on it. They also have 1mg liquid also. I would start at 1mg and work from there. I’ve found if I give it to soon/before he’s ready for bed then it doesn’t work. So I make sure to give it while he’s going potty and getting PJs on. But they really do work and it’s naturally found in your body already. I havent seen any neg side effects what so ever. I would give it a try. They also have gummies too and they taste good.

Talk to your doctor first. Just because it’s over the counter doesn’t mean there aren’t risks and your child’s doctor should know if they are starting supplements

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I had to start using it because my son wouldn’t calm down for bed, he’d refuse to sleep. I just used the gummies. After awhile I stopped using it and now he doesn’t fight bedtime. And I had to stop because he kept thinking it was candy and wanted it during the day.

Brooke I seen you posted asking about this, hopefully the other comments help.

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Zarbees Children’s sleep, I use them for my son, who is 8, and struggles with falling Asleep. One gummy usually does the trick, otherwise he’d still be awake until 10-11 pm, just laying in bed tossing around

From what I’ve read, most doctors/researchers don’t recommend it for children. It’s a sleep regulator, intended to get your circadian rhythm back into sync, not a sleep initiator. No longterm studies have been done either on effects of prolonged melatonin use.

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The reason you can’t continuously take melatonin is because your brain needs to remember that it needs to be making it too. Two weeks on, one week off, will work fine.

2 of my grandkids get it. I use it myself sometimes.

Our doc recommended liquid melatonin for our daughter to combat adhd and lack of sleep. Been taking it for years. Never had an issue.

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Please consult with your Dr.

Try milk toast. My Grandma gave it to us before bed and it worked everytime.

Doctor said its ok for children

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I would talk to your doctor before giving anything melatonin is something our brains are supposed to make on their own and we can become dependent on it which isn’t good I would try turning everything off about an hour before bed time maybe a little more and try relaxing music you can also try an essential oil diffuser or 1 drop under the pillow lavender is the best for sleep but do your own research different oils work differently on certain people

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My kids take the gummies

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Unregulated synthetic hormone introduced to prepubescent brain… What could go wrong?

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yes i have given it to my 8 yr old when she was also about 4 because of lack of sleep i gave it to her when she got ready for bed and she fell asleep a half hr lateri started off on chewables lowest dose 5 mg i believe.i have a set routine as well same schedule during summer as well bed by 9 and sleep about half hr later .ive gotten at walgreens.still chewables

Be very very careful giving your child synthetic chemicals before his brain is fully developed.

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I hope all the moms that give their children melatonin take it as well so they can feel the effects.

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I don’t sleep and my 2yr old takes after me . But we don’t take nothing and wont. We handle it ourselves are body usually tires itself out.

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I use to give my kids melatonin every night now they are a sleeping medication from their doctor. They have had NO negative side effects. Just a question but have you tried chamomile tea or something with chamomile in it

Even if your dr said it was okay to use, you need to keep in mind it is not for everyone. A lot of people who take it just wake up a few hours later and are up all night or wake up completely irritable in the morning.
I have had problems falling sleep for as long as I can remember. No matter what I do during the day no matter how tired I am it still takes at least an hour to be able to fall asleep.
Best of luck mama