Would you give your children melatonin long term?

[kdescalzi]

Hi there,

My 2yr old dd is super wired at the end of the day and I have gotten into the habit of giving her melatonin to mellow her out. My dr said it is perfectly safe as well as all the research I have done. I have also done other things to help her settle at night......a lot of it stems from being overtired. I nightweaned and she is sleeping a million times better. I still find I turn to melatonin in the evenings to just calm her down and help her get to sleep at a decent hour. She gets a 1/4 of a 3mg tablet which I know is safe. My question to you wise mamas is, would you continue to use it regularly if it works and is deemed safe?

[mbravebird]

The only thing I would caution is that apparently the body will eventually reduce its own natural production of melatonin if given supplemental melatonin consistently, because supplemental melatonin begins to shrink the pineal gland.

Normally, the body is only able to make melatonin in the presence of complete darkness, and in the context of our circadian rhythm. Melatonin production also impacts fertility cycles and moods. So you do want to preserve her body's ability to make it and govern it. But I don't think it's well known yet exactly how, and in what amounts, supplemental melatonin affects the body's own melatonin production. So, definitely don't panic, but do look into it more.

Have you tried things that increase her natural production of melatonin? A spoonful of honey before bed will stimulate tryptophan, which converts to seratonin, which converts to melatonin in the presence of complete darkness. Is her room dark enough (even clock lights or ambient light can stop melatonin production)? Is she going to bed early enough (the body won't produce much melatonin if you go to bed late, because its production is partly governed by the circadian rhythm)?

[ameliabedelia]

No, I do not think I would give melatonin long-term, unless the child had a medical reason for lack or natural melatonin.   I would first try less invasive methods to help her wind down (ie. a spoonful of honey,  a turkey snack, a warm bath, complete darkness in the room).   Is she getting enough outdoor time during the day (especially in the mornings).  Spending time outdoors in the sun during the early morning (ie. when you first wake up, 7-9 AM) can help reset a mixed up biological clock.

Also, look at her naps and what time she goes to bed.  Does she nap?  What time and how long?  Are your expectations for bedtime reasonable.  I've known people who had a 2-yo who napped from say 2-4 and they expected them to go to bed again at 7 or 8.  That may not be reasonable for all 2 year olds, they need more time awake before they are able to sleep again.

Does she need parental help to fall asleep.  I know many 2-yos who are rocked/nursed/laid down with, back patted, etc. until they fall asleep.  

Is she perhaps staying up too late and is overtired and gets her "second wind"?

I think the melatonin is fine sometimes, but I would work really hard not to become dependent on it.

I would also maybe try a homeopathic remedy and see if that helps.   I know hylands makes hemopathic remedies for sleep.