.5 mg

5 mg since age 12. Also takes magnesium.

Are these kids going to be taking melatonin for the rest of their lives? I imagine if you supplement daily then the body will stop producing it naturally? I wonder if there’s a better way—like magnesium?

I’m an adult, and not a small one (5’ 10”), and I take 1 mg. Larger doses seem to work a little faster but lead to poorer quality sleep. My 12yo also takes 1mg — not sure it helps her as much as it helps me, but a larger dose definitely causes her to have wake-ups. Every body is different, and you won’t know till you’ve tried a few different variations!

1mg slow release tablet, taken with afternoon snack around 4:30-5:15 PM. Kid has trouble swallowing pills so I put a little nutella on a toddler spoon with the pill and that works. Bedtime is 9 PM (or these days more like 10 PM). Brand is Natrol.

10 mg because lower doses did not work and our daughter with ADHD was sleep deprived. Her pediatrician recommended.

Anonymous wrote:Is there any side effect of Melatonin on tweens?

My young teen used to take Melatonin (3 mg) when he had trouble falling asleep. His pediatrician knew and approved it. He took it one time after a long busy day, not eating much, etc. and had a very strange reaction. He was almost unconscious. We couldn't wake him up. He was breathing but unresponsive. We called 911 and they checked his vitals, but he was out cold. He was fine the next day (well rested even!) but remembered none of it. I asked the pharmacist, the pediatrician, etc. and none of them had heard of this. The only difference with this particular episode was that we tried a different brand of Melatonin that day. Unfortunately, I don't remember the brand. I threw it away immediately. The pharmacist said that some brands have preservatives in them that can cause side effects. He didn't take any other meds that day, and was perfectly fine otherwise. Scariest moment of my life.

1 mg nightly for my skinny 13 yo, occasionally 2 mg if he's had a rough patch of sleep.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our kids take 2.5.

That’s my kid’s dose. Our pediatrician recommended starting at 1 mg and always trying a new dose for a whole week before increasing dosage. After a few years at 1 mg, it didn’t work as well so we moved to 2.5 a couple years ago. We get the peppermint flavored tabs the dissolve in your mouth from Whole Foods or Amazon. The brand is Source Naturals.

My dd12 is also on ADHD meds, but her sleep was far more disordered this summer, when she wasn’t on ADHD medication. What we’re seeing is that she sleeps better when she’s gets exercise - both mental and physical - during the day.

Anonymous wrote:Our kids take 2.5.

That’s my kid’s dose. Our pediatrician recommended starting at 1 mg and always trying a new dose for a whole week before increasing dosage. After a few years at 1 mg, it didn’t work as well so we moved to 2.5 a couple years ago. We get the peppermint flavored tabs the dissolve in your mouth from Whole Foods or Amazon. The brand is Source Naturals.

Anonymous wrote:My DS13 takes 1mg only on a very occasional basis. OP, I know you asked about melatonin--there are a lot of things to try first if your child has trouble falling asleep. Mine takes a stimulant medication for ADHD, so I know that sleep can be problem if we're not careful about keeping to a strict sleep and medication routine. I've also had years of insomnia. The key is to get at the root of the sleep issue.

pp here- sorry, I didn't read your post carefully enough. Your DD is also on stimulant medication, so maybe my reply isn't as relevant.

Younger teens here but 3mg. One no longer takes it because they had nightmares/vivid dreams while on it which can be a side effect even for some adults.

My DS13 takes 1mg only on a very occasional basis. OP, I know you asked about melatonin--there are a lot of things to try first if your child has trouble falling asleep. Mine takes a stimulant medication for ADHD, so I know that sleep can be problem if we're not careful about keeping to a strict sleep and medication routine. I've also had years of insomnia. The key is to get at the root of the sleep issue.