Pretty sad to have a kid on drugs to sleep???

I would definitely try behavioral techniques before getting them dependent on a pill for this life-essential state!

For any situation like this, call POISON CONTROL.

Even emergency rooms use them. They have all such information at their fingertips, for virtually any product or drug. Good luck.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you don't have a child with a sleep disorder, you have no clue.

Exactly, most of the people giving their kids melatonin have no clue. Most people aren’t giving it under advice from a doctor, they are giving it because they want their kids knocked out at 7pm or earlier.

Says who? Is there a study that shows who uses melatonin and for what? My kid has a developmental diagnosis and has taken melatonin for many years. I don’t know anyone who uses it with their child regularly without physician guidance.

I mean, most parents I know are using it without physician guidance. I'm one of them, sort of. One of my kids takes it per her doctor to help her after ADHD meds. The other two take it because it makes bedtime easier, and with three kids, I'm pushing that button. The doctor is aware, but hasn't technically blessed it, or told us to stop. Compared to the crap our parents used to give us (soda, candy, chips, artificial dyes, etc.) this just isn't that bad. And if it is, fine, it'll be one of the many many things I've failed at as a parent.

Yeah…not sleeping well or attaching anxiety to bedtime is also not good, can also increase risk of illness, etc. Sleep is important. If people need something to help their kids sleep, who are we to judge? It beats whiskey, NyQuil, etc.
OP, I think it’s fine. DS once got into a bottle we used after an international flight and poison control soothed my fears.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you don't have a child with a sleep disorder, you have no clue.

Exactly, most of the people giving their kids melatonin have no clue. Most people aren’t giving it under advice from a doctor, they are giving it because they want their kids knocked out at 7pm or earlier.

Says who? Is there a study that shows who uses melatonin and for what? My kid has a developmental diagnosis and has taken melatonin for many years. I don’t know anyone who uses it with their child regularly without physician guidance.

I mean, most parents I know are using it without physician guidance. I'm one of them, sort of. One of my kids takes it per her doctor to help her after ADHD meds. The other two take it because it makes bedtime easier, and with three kids, I'm pushing that button. The doctor is aware, but hasn't technically blessed it, or told us to stop. Compared to the crap our parents used to give us (soda, candy, chips, artificial dyes, etc.) this just isn't that bad. And if it is, fine, it'll be one of the many many things I've failed at as a parent.

My child accidentally got into a bottle of 1mg melatonin when she was 18 months old. We weren't sure how much she'd had, but could roughly estimate based on what was in the bottle and guess between 3-5mg. Called poison control and they said it was fine if it was under 20mg. They said she might be a little sleepy, but that it was fine based on her weight. Assume the toxic amount for you child would actually be much higher since it's based on weight.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you don't have a child with a sleep disorder, you have no clue.

Exactly, most of the people giving their kids melatonin have no clue. Most people aren’t giving it under advice from a doctor, they are giving it because they want their kids knocked out at 7pm or earlier.

Says who? Is there a study that shows who uses melatonin and for what? My kid has a developmental diagnosis and has taken melatonin for many years. I don’t know anyone who uses it with their child regularly without physician guidance.

Anonymous wrote:If you don't have a child with a sleep disorder, you have no clue.

Exactly, most of the people giving their kids melatonin have no clue. Most people aren’t giving it under advice from a doctor, they are giving it because they want their kids knocked out at 7pm or earlier.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://www.npr.org/2022/06/03/1102933012/melatonin-poisoning-kids-sleep-aid-overdose

It is also highly ineffective and not studied to be safe for children in the long-term. stop using it. use things like magnesium or tart cherry juice.

this link is about accidental overdoses because it got left out. Not saying it’s not effective

There are no long-term studies about safety or correct dosage. https://www.childrens.com/health-wellness/is-melatonin-safe-for-kids https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/18/parenting/melatonin-sleep-kids.html

It should not be used for anything other than irregular sleep disruptions and only in the short-term, if at all, for neurotypical children. If your child is having that many issues falling asleep you need to get a sleep study, a neuropsych exam, limit TV or use blue light blockers, try a bedtime snack (one with protein, some carbs, and foods with natural melatonin like cherries or bananas) and manage expectations around sleep. The worst thing to happen to kids sleep are the mommy bloggers and sleep trainers who make it seem like every kid must be in bed by 7pm and/or sleep 12 hours overnight.

They arent even regulated so you have no idea what dose is being provided. Its ridiculous to give a child some OTC product and not be willing to do anything else. There is no way 15-30% of kids need melatonin to fall asleep- its not the kids who are the problem.

Agree. 100%.

+2. We used to give a small dose to my DD when she was in elementary school, and only when she couldn't fall asleep easily...until she had an adverse reaction to a new brand that caused her to lose consciousness. It was the same dosage we'd always given her, but it was a new brand that my DH picked up (and a reputable brand that's sold at CVS, so nothing weird or unusual about it...). She couldn't be woken up, was making gagging noises in her sleep, and despite trying to wake her repeatedly, we couldn't. We called 911 and EMTs told us that she was okay (her vitals were all fine) but she had some kind of reaction to the new brand. Our pharmacist said that there's no real regulation of melatonin and in some cases, it's packaged overseas and what goes into the melatonin capsules can't be completely trusted. I know this is just an anecdote, but it really opened up my eyes about the use of melatonin especially how liberally it's given to children.

Anonymous wrote:I read that most people use way too much melatonin -- and the more you take the less effective it becomes.

+1