Getting Your Child to Snooze, Melatonin-Style? Think Twice, Pediatricians Advise
Why would colorful gummy bears packed with melatonin be your go-to solution when your little one just won't budge and fall asleep? Melatonin, a naturally occurring hormone, plays a key role in sleep regulation; its popularity owes much to this natural connection. On social media, they're advertisements galore, promising easy fixes to bedtime woes using melatonin supplements. But not all sleep gurus agree with this approach. Pediatricians caution against blankly chomping on melatonin gummies as a quick fix solution, considering the insufficient knowledge surrounding the hormone's metabolism in infants and young children.
In a viral Tiktok video, a mom secretly sneaks a dose of melatonin-laced gummies into her child's snack, only for the kid to drift off to dreamland later. Many similar instances and endorsements can be found online. The catchphrase "How to get your child to sleep in under 5 minutes" blazes a trail, as parents vouch for food supplements with melatonin as a miraculous fix for those too stubborn to sleep.
Melatonin, Hormone of the Night
Dr. Ekkehart Paditz, a pediatrician and a member of the German Society for Sleep Medicine and Sleep Research (DGSM), explains that melatonin acts as the antagonist to vitamin D, or the 'hormone of the day.' In the dark, the pineal gland in our brains triggers melatonin production. However, while melatonin supplements may seem like a handy solution to sleep troubles, there's much still to learn about how it's broken down in infants and young children, as their metabolism is slower with considerable variations in concentrations graduated with the different formulations tested in research studies.
The Dark Side of Sweet Treats
Special care is advised before administering, say pediatricians. Some 700 products imbued with melatonin have been reported to the German Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety (BVL) since 2011. While not every product ensures a marketplace presence, pediatric warnings are not for nothing.
In the United States, recent infant deaths have been linked to highly elevated melatonin levels. One report disclosed an incident involving a three-month-old child who was given eight to ten daily doses of a high-potency melatonin product. Alas, a conclusive determination could not be made regarding an overdose's direct impact on the child's demise.
By Prescription Only
When children exhibit severe sleep disorders, pediatricians suggest that over-the-counter remedies should be eschewed. Parents may unwittingly overlook serious ailments through this proceeding, such as brain tumors, which can undermine sleep. A prescription-based melatonin medication, introduced in Germany for children as young as two, boasts a significantly increased level of safety.
Less is More
Doctors suggest nudging the dosage as low as possible. Depending on age, the suggested dose lies between 0.25 and 0.5 milligrams prior to bedtime. During the annual DGSM congress, scheduled for December 7 to 9 in Berlin, Dr. Paditz and his colleagues plan to unveil a medical guideline on melatonin usage in children and adolescents with sleep disorders.
While in practice, the medication is scarcely employed, Jakob Maske, a spokesperson for the German Association of Pediatricians and Adolescent Doctors, claims that sleep disorder instances necessitating intervention often arise in severely ill children with psychiatric disorders who struggle to sleep in their adolescence. Maske issues a warning against nonchalantly using melatonin.
Time for Routine
Instead of relying on melatonin, pediatricians urge parents to identify the underlying cause of sleep trouble during a doctor's visit. Often, excessive smartphone usage or nightly movie binges are the culprits. Maske suggests adhering to tips for introduction of good sleep hygiene strategies, such as:
- Establishing bedtime routines
- Engaging in soothing activities, like gently stroking your child or singing lullabies
- Incorporating relaxation techniques or visual imagery to free the child from stress and reduce anxiety
The most essential step is to monitor your child's sleep patterns and consult with a pediatrician should problems arise. With caution and proper guidance, sleep disorders don't have to leave your little one tossing and turning through the night.
References
- NTV.de. (n.d.). Pediatricians warn against melatonin as a sleep aid for children. [online] Available at:
Enrichment Data:
- Dependence and Withdrawal: Melatonin can lead to dependency, as children's bodies can stop producing melatonin on their own in response to the supplement. Withdrawal symptoms may arise if the child is weaned off it too quickly.
- Paradoxical Effect: Frequent melatonin use can cause a paradoxical effect, resulting in children waking up in the middle of the night and experiencing difficulty returning to sleep.
- Allergic Reactions and Interactions: Allergic reactions and drug interactions can occur when melatonin is used, especially in conjunction with other medications.
- Long-Term Use Concerns: Long-term utilization concerns remain, such as delayed onset of puberty in children. More research is necessary to develop a comprehensive understanding of such potential effects.
- Side Effects: Common side effects in children include:
- Headaches
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Agitation
- Bedwetting
- An overdose can lead to:
- Persistent nausea
- Unexplained dizziness
- Headaches
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Diarrhea
- Sudden joint pain
Respecting the age-specific guidelines ensures the child's safety. More behavioral strategies are advised to manage sleep disorders before resorting to melatonin. Consultation with a pediatrician is essential to monitor the child's response to the supplement and minimize potential risks.
