A few months back, I found myself discussing sleep issues with other moms of tweens and teens in a Facebook group. My 12-year-old son, who has always had difficulties settling down for the night, was experiencing heightened insomnia. I shared that we had exhausted numerous strategies: deep breathing techniques, meditation, using a weighted blanket, and cutting down on screen time before bed. Nothing seemed effective.
One by one, the moms began recommending melatonin as a solution for their children’s sleep challenges.
I was familiar with melatonin; I’d seen many parents joking about “medicating” their kids to sleep with it. However, I felt uneasy about the idea. While I’m open to medication, my stubbornness led me to believe that it was essential for my son to learn how to calm his mind and establish good sleep habits rather than rely on a pill.
Additionally, I was aware that melatonin wasn’t FDA approved, and research on its use in children was limited. However, I encountered an insightful article from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) that offered some reassurance. The AAP reiterated that melatonin lacks FDA approval and that further studies are needed, but also suggested that it could be beneficial for children in certain scenarios.
Melatonin is described as a natural substance produced by the brain in response to darkness, distinct from a traditional sleeping pill. The AAP recommends discussing its use with a pediatrician, noting that short-term use can sometimes help reset a child’s sleep patterns. This points to the fact that adolescents often need such resets, as their natural sleep cycles don’t always align with school schedules.
“Melatonin may assist older children and teens in adjusting their sleep schedules after vacations or interruptions,” the AAP states. Many teens, after all, require more sleep, yet their biological clocks make it tough for them to sleep before 11 p.m., especially with early school start times.
This resonated with me. My son had been wanting to stay up later, leading to increased anxiety about falling asleep. The more he stressed about his inability to doze off, the more wired he became, creating a never-ending cycle of sleep deprivation.
After consulting with a close friend who is a physician, we decided to give melatonin a try. We purchased some melatonin gummies from the pharmacy and followed my friend’s advice to start with a half dose (1mg).
The results were remarkable. We administered it about 30 minutes before bedtime, and for the first time in weeks, he drifted off easily and happily. “My eyelids feel so heavy,” he said, and rather than feeling groggy, he simply felt sleepy—there were no negative effects the following morning.
We continued to give it to him for several days during that initial week to help his body adjust. Everything went well, except for one occasion when he took it too early, resulting in it wearing off before he was ready for sleep. Within a week, however, he was sleeping better and seemed more refreshed.
Since then, we’ve incorporated melatonin into his routine, but only occasionally. Typically, we use it once a week on Sundays after a weekend of sleeping in, as a way to reset for the week ahead. Sometimes he requests it when he anticipates a challenging day, and while I was initially concerned about him becoming dependent on it, he hasn’t developed a habit, and as far as I know, it’s not chemically addictive.
Having the option of melatonin has brought my son some peace of mind regarding his sleep anxiety. Even on nights he doesn’t take it, he appears more relaxed about falling asleep, knowing there’s a safety net available if needed.
Most nights, we still practice his meditation and breathing exercises to help him wind down, and I’m thankful he’s picking up these skills. Yet, it’s reassuring for him to know that melatonin is an option if he needs a little extra assistance.
Of course, melatonin isn’t a universal solution, and it’s vital to consult a healthcare professional before using it. Personally, I remain somewhat uneasy about the long-term effects of melatonin use. Nonetheless, I feel comfortable using it a few times a month to help my child sleep better. It’s genuinely been a transformative experience for him.
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Summary
Melatonin has significantly improved my son’s sleep challenges, allowing him to manage anxiety about bedtime and fall asleep more easily. While I remain cautious about its long-term use, it has been a game-changer for his sleep routine, providing him with both comfort and the tools to relax.