A few months back, I found myself in a discussion with other parents of tweens and teens on social media, specifically about insomnia. My 12-year-old son, who has always faced challenges with sleep, was experiencing even more difficulty recently. I shared our exhaustive attempts to help him: from deep breathing techniques and meditation to using a weighted blanket and limiting screen time before bed. Nothing seemed to make a difference.
One by one, the other moms chimed in with their solution for sleepless children: melatonin.
I had certainly heard of melatonin before. I had seen plenty of parents joking about “medicating” their kids to sleep with it, and that notion sat uneasily with me. While I don’t have any qualms about medication, I tend to be stubborn and believed it was more beneficial for my son to learn relaxation techniques and practice good sleep habits rather than rely on a pill.
Moreover, I was aware that melatonin is not FDA-approved, and there seemed to be limited studies regarding its use in children. However, I stumbled upon an article from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) that offered some intriguing insights. The AAP acknowledged the lack of FDA approval and the need for more research but also indicated that melatonin could be beneficial for kids under specific circumstances.
According to the AAP, melatonin is a natural substance produced by the brain in response to darkness and differs significantly from traditional sleeping pills. They encourage parents to talk to their pediatricians about its use, suggesting that short-term melatonin can be appropriate, especially for resetting sleep patterns in tweens and teens whose schedules often conflict with their natural sleep cycles.
“Melatonin may help older children and teens reset sleep schedules—especially after vacations or other disruptions,” the AAP explains. They highlight that many teens need more sleep, and melatonin may help those who struggle to fall asleep before their early morning classes.
This resonated with me. My son had been wanting to stay up later, which made it increasingly difficult for him to fall asleep. The more he stressed about sleeping, the more restless he became, creating a cycle of sleeplessness that was hard to break.
After consulting with my friend Sarah, who is a medical professional, we decided to try melatonin. We picked up some melatonin gummies from the pharmacy and followed Sarah’s advice to start with a half dose (1mg).
The results were astonishing. Around 30 minutes before bedtime, we gave it to my son, and for the first time in weeks, he drifted off to sleep with ease. “My eyelids feel so heavy,” he remarked, and it didn’t leave him feeling groggy the next morning.
We continued administering it for several days to help reset his sleep cycle. It worked well, except for one instance when he took it too early, and the effects faded before he was ready to sleep—which proved that melatonin doesn’t linger long in the system. By the end of the week, he was sleeping better and feeling more rested overall.
We now use it on a regular, but infrequent basis—typically once a week on Sundays after he’s had a chance to sleep in over the weekend. Sometimes he opts for it if he anticipates a stressful day ahead that might interfere with his ability to sleep. Initially, I was concerned he might become dependent on it, but thankfully that hasn’t happened. As far as I know, melatonin isn’t chemically habit-forming.
Interestingly, the option of melatonin has provided my son with a sense of reassurance. He seems calmer about going to bed, even on nights when he doesn’t take it. Just knowing he can use it if necessary brings him comfort.
Most evenings, we still practice meditation and breathing exercises before sleep, which makes me happy since he’s building those skills. However, it’s also beneficial that he knows melatonin is available for him when he needs a little extra support.
Of course, melatonin isn’t a universal solution, and it’s important to consult with a doctor before using it. Although I still have some reservations about the long-term effects, I’m comfortable using it a few times a month to aid my child’s sleep. It has genuinely been a game changer for him.
In conclusion, if you’re navigating similar sleep challenges with your child, melatonin may be worth considering. Just remember to consult a healthcare professional for guidance.
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