Is your child having sleep problems? Let's talk about melatonin supplements.

Does your child have problems with not being able to fall asleep at night or waking up from sleep? This is very common in a house with a small child. So at that time, you may have heard about something called 'Melatonin', or maybe a friend said, 'Oh, try this.' However, it is very, very important to talk to a doctor before giving any new medicine or supplement to a child. Let's find out a little more about what Melatonin is and whether it is good to give it to children or not, shall we?

What is Melatonin?

Simply put, melatonin is a natural substance produced by our bodies, a hormone to be precise. It is produced by a small gland inside our brain called the pineal gland, which starts releasing melatonin when it gets dark at night. Think of it like a natural sleep clock in our body. Melatonin is what tells the body, 'Okay, it's dark now, it's time to get ready for bed.' That's when we start to feel sleepy.

Then, when the sun rises in the morning, when our eyes feel the light, the brain gradually reduces the production of melatonin. That's when the body gets the signal that 'it's time to wake up' and we wake up. This is a beautiful way that nature controls our sleep and wakefulness.

But there's something else to know. Not just sunlight, but artificial light, especially blue light from electronic devices like phones, tablets, computers, and TVs, makes the brain think it's still daytime. Then, melatonin stops being released. So, is this another reason why using gadgets like these before going to bed at night can delay sleep?

So what are these melatonin supplements?

Just like the natural melatonin we talked about, this can also be made in a lab. Melatonin made in this way is what is sold in stores and pharmacies as 'Melatonin supplements'. These are usually sold as 'dietary supplements'. That means you can buy these without a prescription from a doctor.

But here is a very important point . These dietary supplements, like the medicines we take for a disease, are not subject to strict testing before they come to the market. For example, in America, there is an organization called `(FDA)` (Food and Drug Administration), and their approval is not required to sell such supplements. In Sri Lanka, the regulations governing these are not as strict as those for medicines.

So what's the problem? The problem is, some melatonin supplement bottles and packets may not contain the exact amount of melatonin that is listed on the label. It may be less than what is listed, or it may be much more. Not only that, it may even contain other ingredients that are not listed on the label. This is something to be very careful about when thinking about giving something to a child, right?

These melatonin supplements also come in one form or another.

• It is available in pill form.
• There are flavored gummies that can be chewed like jelly - little ones love these.
• It also comes in liquids.

Recently, some companies have introduced new forms of melatonin products. For example, there are those that are inhaled through the nose, those that are sprayed into the mouth, or those that are sprayed into the bedroom or around the bed. However, these newer methods are not recommended for children. Because these have not yet been scientifically tested to determine their safety or effectiveness.

Are melatonin supplements really safe for children?

Now you may be wondering, 'So is it really safe to give melatonin supplements to children?' The truth is, medical experts are still doing extensive research into how safe and effective melatonin supplements are for children. This is not something that has been fully discovered yet.

Some short-term studies have shown that melatonin is probably safe to use in low doses for a short period of time . However, even though it is 'probably', it is not the same for everyone. Sometimes, children, especially teenagers, can experience side effects.

What are these possible side effects?

• Headaches: Some children may get headaches.
• Dizziness: Some people may feel light-headed or dizzy.
• Anxiety: Some children may experience increased levels of anxiety.
• Morning sleepiness: Even after sleeping at night, you may feel sleepy when you wake up in the morning. This can affect your child's daily activities and schoolwork.

Not only this, melatonin can interact with other medicines or other supplements. This means that if the child is taking medicine for another illness, the effectiveness of that medicine may be reduced or changed due to melatonin. This is also very dangerous, isn't it?

Another very sad thing is that there have been reports around the world of children taking too much melatonin, that is, taking an overdose, suffering from melatonin poisoning and having to be hospitalized. This may be because children secretly take it because it tastes like gummies.

As we've discussed before, these supplements may contain more melatonin than the label says, or may contain other ingredients that are not listed, so if a doctor recommends melatonin for your child, it's important to ask, "Doctor, which brand is the most reliable and has the best quality?"

Also, be sure to remember that if you bring melatonin home, you should keep it where you keep your other medications, somewhere out of reach of children, either up high or in a locked place. Although it looks like candy, it is not candy.

So is it good to give melatonin to young children and adolescents?

This is the biggest question that many parents have. 'So, if my child can't sleep, should I give him melatonin or not?' To be honest, doctors usually don't recommend melatonin for young children and adolescents for insomnia. There's a reason for that.

Often, a child's difficulty falling asleep is due to some deficiencies in their daily routine or bedtime routine. So, rather than resorting to a supplement like melatonin, the first thing to do is to correct their 'sleep hygiene' and establish new good habits.

What is 'sleep hygiene'? Simply put, it's habits that help you get a good night's sleep. Let's take a look at what they are.

• Get into the habit of going to bed and waking up at the same time every day: It is very important to get your child into the habit of going to bed at the same time every day and waking up at the same time every morning. Try not to change these times too much, even on weekends. This will help the body's natural clock to function properly.
• Encourage your child to do calming activities before bed: About an hour before bed, stop running around and screaming, and encourage your child to do something calming. For example, you can do things like read a storybook they like, listen to calm music, or take a warm bath.
• Reduce exposure to bright lights at night, especially electronic devices: As we've already talked about, the blue light from phones, tablets, computers, and TVs suppresses the production of melatonin. Therefore, it's a good idea to turn off all these gadgets at least an hour before bed and dim the lights in your room. If you're reading a book, use a soft light.
• Make the bedroom a comfortable place to sleep: It is important that the child's bedroom is quiet, dark, and a little cool. A comfortable bed and pillow also help with sleep.
• Avoid heavy meals and sugary drinks after dinner: Eating a heavy meal close to bedtime can disrupt your sleep because your body has to work harder to digest it. Also, the caffeine in tea, coffee, chocolate, and sugary drinks (especially cola) can disrupt your sleep.

Just think, by changing these simple habits, your child's body will be able to produce the melatonin it needs naturally. Then there will be no need to give a supplement, right?

However, if your child continues to be sleepy during the day despite following all these good sleep hygiene practices, or if they have a hard time falling asleep at night, then you should definitely see a doctor for advice. This is because your child may have a sleep condition that can be treated, or an underlying health condition that affects sleep. For example, some children may have conditions like Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or neurodevelopmental disorders like Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). In such cases, it is more important to treat the underlying cause rather than just giving melatonin.

What else do I need to know?

With all of this, there are a few other things you need to keep in mind. If you are thinking about giving your child melatonin, please, I repeat, definitely talk to a doctor first. Don't just give your child medication based on hearsay or what you see on the internet.

In some special cases, a doctor may prescribe melatonin. When is that?

• If a teenager's sleep schedule is completely disrupted (for example, they stay up until dawn during the holidays, sleep until noon, and then can't sleep through the night when school starts again), you may want to try melatonin for a short period of time to help reset their sleep schedule.
• Also, children with certain medical conditions that specifically affect sleep (for example, children with some of the neurodevelopmental disorders we discussed earlier) can be given melatonin under the close supervision of a doctor.

But if you do, only a doctor can decide which type of melatonin is best for your child, what dosage, and how long to give it.He makes those decisions after considering many factors, such as the child's age, weight, and other health conditions. You can't just buy a random dose from the pharmacy.

So, in conclusion, if you have a problem with your child's sleep, don't panic or try everything you hear on your child. Getting proper medical advice is always the best thing to do. It will ensure your child's safety and ease your fears.

So, what is the message we should remember from this story?

Okay, we've been talking about melatonin for a while now. So what are the most important things we need to take into account in all of this? Let's look at them one by one.

• Melatonin is a hormone that is naturally produced in our bodies. However, you should be very careful when giving children over-the-counter supplements called melatonin, as they are not well-regulated.
• Before giving any supplement or medicine to a child, you should definitely, unconditionally, consult a doctor. This is the first and most important thing. Never forget that.
• Often, sleep problems can be solved simply by instilling good sleep hygiene in your child. Simple things like putting away the phone and getting your child to go to bed on time can make a big difference.
• Only a doctor can determine if a child really needs melatonin. He or she will be able to tell you exactly what dosage is right for your child and how long to give it for.
• Don't forget, keep all medications and supplements safely stored out of reach of children. Be especially careful with those that come in flavored gummies.
• If you have any questions, doubts, or concerns about your child's sleep, please talk to a doctor about it openly. Don't put your child at risk by making assumptions, and don't worry about it yourself.

I hope this story has given you a better understanding of melatonin. I hope your child gets a good night's sleep!

Melatonin, Insomnia, Children's sleep, Dietary supplements, Sleep hygiene, Side effects, Medical advice