QOD: Is it safe to give melatonin to children?

Written by Kristie Rivers, MD, FAAP, Board Certified Pediatrician

While melatonin is a popular sleep aid in adults, there are a few things to keep in mind before giving it to your child. First, the FDA does not oversee the production of melatonin as it is a natural substance instead of a prescription medication. Also, there is very limited information on the long-term side effects.

With that being said, some studies have shown melatonin to be helpful in certain children, especially those with specific behavioral or genetic conditions. Melatonin may decrease the amount of time it takes to fall asleep and also lengthen the time your child stays asleep. Be sure to talk to your pediatrician before starting melatonin to see if it is right for your child.

Reviewed by Dr. Sara Connolly, August 2019