What is melatonin and when does a baby’s brain start producing it? Melatonin is a hormone produced by the pineal gland portion of our brains. It helps to regulate our 24-hour sleep-wake cycles, and can be thought of as one of the ‘oils’ that helps the gears of our internal body ‘clock’ [...]
Is it safe to use herbs or medications to help my child sleep? There are many different types of herbs and medications that are supposed to help children get to sleep but few have any good rigorous scientific data to support these claims and some may cause harm. In general, avoid using herbs or [...]
Is it okay to give my toddler (12 months to 36 months) melatonin? We do not recommend giving melatonin to toddlers and there is little rigorous evidence that it helps children this young. Most toddlers who cannot get to sleep at the start of the night (the time when melatonin has the best effect), [...]
My child has ADHD. What are some strategies I can use to make sure he gets the best sleep possible. Sleep problems – such as coming in and out of the room at the start of the night or wanting mom or dad next to them as they fall asleep at the start of the night – are very common in children [...]
My child has autism. What can I expect about her sleep? Children with autism and autism spectrum disorders often experience sleep difficulties. These can include difficulties falling asleep, maintaining sleep and experiencing short sleep duration. As with other disorders, the reasons for the [...]
Should he play games on my phone before bed? Typically, using electronics – or anything with a screen – before bed is not recommended. This is because light from those devices temporarily prevents our brains (and your little one’s brain) from making melatonin. Melatonin is typically [...]
Is it okay to give my preschooler (3 to 5 years old) melatonin? You should always check with your child’s health care provider regarding the safety of giving any over-the-counter product to your little one. But, yes, pediatricians frequently recommend melatonin for children with sleep problems. [...]
What is melatonin and what does it do? Melatonin is a hormone produced by the brain that helps regulate our internal clock (circadian clock) and may induce sleep. Melatonin is commonly used to help people become sleepy, but it does not have this effect in everyone; only the body clock effect occurs [...]
Is it safe to give my baby melatonin to help her sleep? No. There is no evidence to support the use of melatonin in babies to help them sleep. Melatonin is a hormone produced by the pineal gland in the brain in the evening on a 24-hour schedule which helps tell the brain when it is time for sleep. [...]