{"id":48999,"date":"2022-02-15T10:00:51","date_gmt":"2022-02-15T15:00:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=48999"},"modified":"2023-08-08T12:04:10","modified_gmt":"2023-08-08T16:04:10","slug":"melatonin-for-kids","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/melatonin-for-kids\/","title":{"rendered":"Is melatonin safe for kids?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/hTDUdUYgqD0?rel=0\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s an age-old dilemma that nearly every parent struggles with: How do you make sure that kids are getting enough sleep? The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nichd.nih.gov\/health\/topics\/sleep\/conditioninfo\/how-much\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">National Institute of Child Health and Human Development<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> recommends at least 11 hours of sleep each day (including naps) for toddlers, 10 hours for preschoolers, nine hours for kids ages 6 to 12, and eight hours for teens.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It may be difficult to hit those numbers for children, and many parents have turned to alternative remedies to help their kids establish good sleep habits. One of the most popular ones is melatonin dietary supplements\u2014which evidence suggests may help kids fall asleep faster and get more sleep. Still, many people don\u2019t know about the benefits and risks of melatonin for kids. So, before you give your child melatonin, here\u2019s what you should know.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How does melatonin work for sleep?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Melatonin is a hormone that the pineal gland in your brain produces in response to darkness. Levels of melatonin rise at night and go down during the day. Melatonin helps your body regulate its circadian rhythm, the internal clock that controls your sleep\/wake cycle, telling you when to go to sleep and when to wake up. As production of melatonin ramps up in the evening, your body transitions to preparing for a restful state. Research suggests that melatonin may play other important, non-sleep-related roles in the central nervous system, as well.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cMelatonin works as a signal for the body to prepare for sleep, making this hormone crucial in circadian regulation,\u201d says Po-Chang Hsu, MD, a medical content expert at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sleepingocean.com\/about-us\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">sleepingocean.com<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. \u201cA synthetic melatonin supplement has the same role. It mimics the hormone\u2019s sleep-inducing effect and can help kids fall asleep easier. The supplement may also help children maintain stable circadian rhythms and, consequently, sleep better.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Melatonin produced by the pineal gland is called endogenous melatonin. Melatonin produced synthetically in laboratories, or exogenous melatonin, is the kind that is promoted as a dietary supplement, usually in the form of a pill, capsule, liquid, or\u2014especially aimed at kids\u2014a chewable gummy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Is melatonin safe for kids?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Although it\u2019s only available by prescription in many countries, melatonin can be purchased over the counter with no age restrictions in the United States. A study found that melatonin \u201c<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC4830653\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">seems to be safe<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">,\u201d but many experts agree that more research needs to be done on the subject.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cIt&#8217;s important to remember that melatonin is not approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in children, and there is no standard recommended dose for melatonin in children,\u201d says <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/kelly-johnson-arbor-md-7a35b31b6\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Kelly Johnson-Arbor, MD<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, a medical toxicologist and co-medical director of the National Capital Poison Center (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.poison.org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">poison.org<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Although few long-term studies on melatonin\u2019s effects have been conducted, the consensus is that short-term melatonin supplementation is nontoxic at recommended dosages.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cMelatonin is not recommended for children under 3, as irregular sleep schedules are normal for this age,\u201d Dr. Hsu says. \u201cThe supplement is generally considered safe and beneficial for children with insomnia and ADHD-related sleep issues, as chronic lack of sleep is far more dangerous (than melatonin). That being said, the long-term effects of melatonin, especially in otherwise healthy children, have not been studied well enough yet.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Melatonin dosage for kids<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As many as <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/news\/sleep-statistics\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">50% of kids<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> will experience a sleep problem. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC4830653\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s estimated<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that up to 25% of American children and adolescents deal with insomnia, which can lead to a host of negative consequences, including irritability, fatigue, and poor performance in school. That number is even higher\u2014up to 75%\u2014in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder, and other psychiatric or neurodevelopmental disorders. Children with these health conditions may benefit from melatonin supplements.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are many products available now that are marketed as kids\u2019 melatonin, but the strength of each supplement varies since there is no FDA-approved dosage of melatonin for kids. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/melatonin\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Melatonin pills<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and liquids can contain up to 60 milligrams of melatonin, but most supplements, in particular gummies, aren\u2019t that strong. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/melatonin-gummies\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Melatonin gummies<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for kids generally contain anywhere from 1 to 10 milligrams of melatonin; it\u2019s important to note how potent each gummy is before giving it to a child.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are no official dosages for melatonin by FDA standards, but the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthychildren.org\/english\/healthy-living\/sleep\/pages\/melatonin-and-childrens-sleep.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">American Academy of Pediatrics<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> recommends starting with the smallest dose (0.5 or 1 milligram) and upping the dosage as needed. The dose of melatonin for kids with ADHD or insomnia can be higher but should not exceed 3 to 6 milligrams a night.<\/span><\/p>\n<table class=\" singlecare-table\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>\n<h3><strong><span class=\"title\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Recommended melatonin doses for children<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr class=\"header-row\">\n<td><b><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\">Age<\/span><\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>Starting dose<\/b><\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>Maximum dose<\/b><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Younger than 3<\/span><\/td>\n<td colspan=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Not recommended\u2014Consult your child\u2019s doctor before giving infants or toddlers melatonin<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3 years or older<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">0.5-1 mg of melatonin daily, 30-90 minutes before bed<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3-6 mg of melatonin daily, 30-90 minutes before bed<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Always talk to your pediatrician about the proper dosage before giving melatonin to your child. This is especially true if your child takes other medications, as melatonin\u2019s potential interactions with other drugs aren\u2019t fully understood yet. Melatonin should be taken 30 to 90 minutes before bedtime as part of healthy sleep habits. Melatonin supplements are not sleeping pills and are not a substitute for a good bedtime routine.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cSince many pediatric sleep disturbances are behavioral in origin,\u201d says Dr. Johnson-Arbor, \u201cadherence to good sleep hygiene principles, including use of a regular bedtime schedule and avoiding the use of electronic devices before bed, can also be beneficial in improving children&#8217;s sleep quality.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>RELATED: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/melatonin-dosage\"><b>Melatonin dosage guide<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Side effects of melatonin in kids<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The use of melatonin is generally considered safe with mild and temporary side effects, if any. In some cases, kids taking melatonin have experienced the following side effects, which usually go away if the child stops taking melatonin.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Headaches<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Drowsiness<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Irritability<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Increased bedwetting<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nightmares<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dizziness<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mood changes<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Morning grogginess<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Daytime sleepiness<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Safe alternatives to melatonin for children<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The most important thing parents can do to help a child sleep better is to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/how-to-sleep-better\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">establish a consistent bedtime routine<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Sticking with consistent bedtimes and wake-up times and a set routine before bed can help a child feel secure and comfortable, which typically leads to better sleep. In addition, try some of the following tips.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Screen time should end at least an hour before bedtime.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> That means no TV, no computers, no tablets, and no smartphones. Blue light from device screens inhibits melatonin production, making it harder to sleep.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Make sure that kids stay hydrated all day and don\u2019t need a drink right before bedtime<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, to keep them from waking up at night to urinate. (Although many people swear by drinking warm milk before bed as a way to get better sleep.)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Avoid snacks for two to three hours before bedtime<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, as digestion\u2014especially of sugar or caffeine\u2014can delay sleep onset.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Make sure your child gets some exercise during the day. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Physical exertion can increase the amount of time a child spends in deep sleep.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Reduce illumination in your child\u2019s room<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> by hanging blackout curtains in the windows, using clocks that light up only when touched, or angling your child\u2019s bed away from the door so they aren\u2019t distracted by light seeping in around the cracks.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>For younger kids, reading them a bedtime story and making sure they have their favorite toy or blanket<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can help them fall asleep faster.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>A gentle massage or foot rub can help<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> a child relax when it\u2019s time to go to sleep.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Encourage your child to try breathing exercises<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, affirmations, or even prayer as a way to de-stress at the end of the day.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Incorporate aromatherapy with soothing scents. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cPlacing an aroma diffuser in the child\u2019s room and using lavender essential oil can have a calming effect,\u201d Dr. Hsu says. \u201cParents can also incorporate soothing lavender in the kid\u2019s evening ritual (for instance, use lavender shower gel or body lotion before sleep).\u201d<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Make sure your child is dressed for sleep in a way that will keep them warm enough in the winter or cool enough in the summer. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Being too cold or too hot can lead to poorer sleep.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Other sleep aids for children<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Talk to your pediatrician before trying any <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/otc-sleep-aids\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">over-the-counter sleep aids<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for children, including melatonin. Not all sleep aids do what they claim to do, and some can have adverse side effects. The following are sleep aids sometimes recommended for some children:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/diphenhydramine-hcl\"><b>Diphenhydramine<\/b><\/a><b>:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Sold as <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/benadryl-allergy\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Benadryl<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/aleve-pm\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Aleve PM<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and other brands, this sedating antihistamine is often used to help kids sleep, but it\u2019s not usually recommended by doctors as a sleep aid. Potential side effects include daytime drowsiness, dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation, and urinary retention.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/doxylamine-succinate\"><b>Doxylamine succinate<\/b><\/a><b>: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sold as <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/unisom-sleepgels\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unisom<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and other brands, this is another sedating antihistamine, with side effects similar to diphenhydramine. Doxylamine succinate should not be used to treat insomnia in children under 12.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/valerian-root\"><b>Valerian<\/b><\/a><b>:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Made from the root of a tall, flowering grassland plant, valerian supplements may help children fall asleep faster and get more restful sleep. As with melatonin, however, few long-term studies on valerian\u2019s effects have been done, and there is no standard recommended dosage. Mild side effects may occur, including headache, dizziness, stomach problems, or sleeplessness.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When to see a pediatrician for sleep disorders in children<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019ve established a good bedtime routine and instilled good sleep habits, and your child is still having trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, you should consider talking to your child\u2019s healthcare provider about it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cIt\u2019s better to see a doctor if the kid\u2019s sleep issues are persistent,\u201d says Dr. Hsu. \u201cOther alarming signs might involve changes in breathing during sleep, nightmares, night terrors, persistent bed wettings, decreased daytime performance, trouble staying awake during the day, slackness, etc.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A pediatrician or sleep expert can help diagnose and treat any underlying health issues that might be the cause of your child\u2019s sleep problems. Many conditions can lead to sleep issues, including these common problems.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/conditions\/sleep-apnea-treatment-and-medications\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sleep apnea<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sleepwalking<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Upper airway resistance syndrome<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/conditions\/restless-leg-syndrome-treatment-and-medications\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Restless legs syndrome (RLS)<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sleep terrors (night terrors)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">REM behavior disorder<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stress<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When sleep issues have a medical cause, treatment consists of identifying and treating the underlying condition. This can involve anything from using a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine to treat sleep apnea, to taking <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/iron\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">iron supplements<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for RLS, to therapy sessions with a child psychologist to see what emotional issues might be at play. In rare cases, a pediatrician might recommend minor surgery to treat snoring or sleep apnea.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It\u2019s an age-old dilemma that nearly every parent struggles with: How do you make sure that kids are getting enough sleep? The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development recommends at least 11 hours of sleep each day (including naps) for toddlers, 10 hours for preschoolers, nine hours for kids ages 6 to 12, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":94,"featured_media":48531,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[3564,13141,816],"coauthors":[11174],"class_list":["post-48999","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-wellness","tag-children","tag-parenting","tag-sleep","wpautop"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.8 (Yoast SEO v27.8) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Melatonin for kids: Safety, doses, alternatives<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Short-term use of melatonin is generally safe. Children older than 3 may take 0.5-1 mg per night. However, there are safer alternatives to melatonin for kids.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/melatonin-for-kids\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Is melatonin safe for kids?\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Here\u2019s what to know if your child just can\u2019t sleep\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/melatonin-for-kids\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"The Checkup\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/singlecare\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2022-02-15T15:00:51+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2023-08-08T16:04:10+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Blog_021522_Melatonin_kids.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1920\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1080\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Todd Hartley\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:title\" content=\"Is melatonin safe for kids?\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:description\" content=\"Here\u2019s what to know if your child just can\u2019t sleep\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@SingleCare\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@SingleCare\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Todd Hartley\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"8 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/melatonin-for-kids\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/melatonin-for-kids\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Mariusz Labedzki\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/232380d21234706e6360acfa9c895934\"},\"headline\":\"Is melatonin safe for kids?\",\"datePublished\":\"2022-02-15T15:00:51+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2023-08-08T16:04:10+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/melatonin-for-kids\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":1745,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/melatonin-for-kids\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2022\\\/01\\\/Blog_021522_Melatonin_kids.png\",\"keywords\":[\"Children\",\"Parenting\",\"Sleep\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Wellness\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/melatonin-for-kids\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/melatonin-for-kids\\\/\",\"name\":\"Melatonin for kids: Safety, doses, alternatives\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/melatonin-for-kids\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/melatonin-for-kids\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2022\\\/01\\\/Blog_021522_Melatonin_kids.png\",\"datePublished\":\"2022-02-15T15:00:51+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2023-08-08T16:04:10+00:00\",\"description\":\"Short-term use of melatonin is generally safe. Children older than 3 may take 0.5-1 mg per night. 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