A few months ago, while discussing insomnia in a parenting group on social media, I shared that my 12-year-old son had been struggling to fall asleep. Despite our attempts with methods like deep breathing, meditation, and even a weighted blanket, nothing seemed to help. We had also tried limiting his screen time before bedtime, but to no avail.
One by one, other mothers chimed in, endorsing melatonin as a remedy for their children’s sleep issues. I had heard about melatonin before and noticed many moms joking about using it to help their kids sleep. It made me uneasy; while I didn’t oppose medication, I believed it was essential for my son to learn relaxation techniques rather than relying on a pill.
Moreover, I was aware that melatonin is not FDA approved, and there was limited research regarding its safety in children. However, I came across an article by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), which offered some reassurance. The AAP acknowledged that while more research is needed regarding melatonin’s use in children, it may be beneficial in certain situations.
The AAP describes melatonin as a natural substance produced by the brain in response to darkness, differentiating it from traditional sleeping pills. They recommend discussing its use with a pediatrician and suggest that short-term usage might be suitable for resetting sleep patterns in children, especially tweens and teens who often have schedules that conflict with their natural sleep cycles. “Melatonin may also help some older children and teens reset sleep schedules,” the AAP states, highlighting the challenges teens face with early school start times.
This resonated with me; my son had been staying up later and later, leading to a vicious cycle of anxiety and sleep deprivation. After consulting with my friend, a medical doctor, we decided to give melatonin a try. We purchased melatonin gummies and, following my friend’s advice, administered a half dose (1mg) about 30 minutes before bedtime.
The results were remarkable. For the first time in weeks, my son fell asleep easily and happily. He remarked, “My eyelids feel so heavy,” as he settled in. He didn’t feel groggy in the morning, and there were no noticeable side effects. We continued to give it to him for several days to help his body reset. There was one instance when he took it too early, but overall, his sleep improved significantly.
Since then, we have used melatonin sparingly, typically once a week on Sundays to help him transition back to a regular sleep schedule after weekends. Sometimes he requests it before a stressful day, but I was initially concerned about him becoming reliant on it. However, it hasn’t been habit-forming, and as far as I know, it doesn’t have addictive qualities.
My son has always dealt with anxiety related to sleep, and having melatonin as an option seems to have alleviated some of that stress. He appears more relaxed about bedtime, even on nights he doesn’t take it. Most evenings, we still practice meditation and breathing exercises together, which I believe are valuable tools for him. Yet, knowing he has melatonin as a backup is comforting for him.
While melatonin may not work for every child, it’s crucial to consult a doctor before starting any supplement. Personally, I remain a bit uneasy about the long-term effects, but I’m comfortable using it occasionally to help my son sleep better. It has truly transformed his experience with sleep.
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In summary, my experience with melatonin has been overwhelmingly positive, significantly improving my son’s sleep while providing him with a sense of control and peace of mind during bedtime.