Melatonin For Sleep Problems

Key points about melatonin for sleep problems

• sleep problems are common in tamariki
• managing sleep problems needs to start with healthy sleep habits
• if your child does need more help, melatonin is a medicine that can be helpful for some tamariki

Reasons for sleep problems in children

Sleep problems are common in children

Sleep problems are common in tamariki, especially those tamariki with neurodevelopmental disorders (such as ADHD-Aroreretini, autism-takiwātangaand, blindness).

Knowing the reason for your child's sleep problem

A range of things can cause difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep. It's important to find out the reasons for your child's sleep problems. Knowing the reason means you can use the right tools to manage the sleep problem.

Pain, reflux, sleep-disordered breathing and worrying can all have an effect on your child's sleep. Make sure your child receives a diagnosis and treatment for these before thinking about using other strategies such as a trial of melatonin.

Find out about the different problems getting to sleep

Medicines can affect sleep

Medicines can also affect your child's sleep. If your child is taking a medicine that you think is affecting their sleep, talk to your doctor.

See more information about helping your child sleep soundly

Good healthy sleep habits for children

Managing sleep problems needs to start with healthy sleep habits. This is sometimes called good 'sleep hygiene'. Healthy sleep habits include:

• having a regular bedtime
• having the same relaxing bedtime routine each night
• having a cool, dark, calm bedroom environment
• avoiding screen activities in the bedroom, and for the hour or two before bedtime
• encouraging your child to fall asleep by themselves

When children need more help with their sleep

Melatonin can be helpful for some but not all sleep problems. Talk to a health professional before using melatonin.

In most tamariki, healthy sleep habits will sort out their sleep problems. If your child does need more help, using a medicine such as melatonin will work better if healthy sleep habits are in place.

What is melatonin?

Melatonin is a hormone produced by the pineal gland in the brain. It helps control your body's day-night cycle. Melatonin levels are lower during the day and higher at night.

Melatonin is a medicine that can be helpful for some tamariki, especially tamariki with autism-takiwātanga. But, in Aotearoa New Zealand, all use in tamariki is 'off-label'. That means using the medicine in a different way from the approved use.

Melatonin can be helpful for some but not all sleep problems. It's safest to talk to a health professional before using it.

Giving melatonin to children

You give your child a small dose 30 to 60 minutes before bedtime. It's a small dose but is still much higher than your child's body can produce. The dose makes your child feel sleepy. People use doses from 0.5mg to 6mg, but most tamariki take 1 to 2mg. Your child will most likely fall asleep more quickly (usually 15 to 40 minutes faster). They may sleep for slightly longer (usually 20 to 40 minutes). Your child may also wake a little earlier in the morning.

Possible side effects of melatonin

Side effects include headache, nausea, sleepiness, and bedwetting. Most side effects are mild and settle by themselves.

Other issues with melatonin

Interactions with other medicines

Melatonin can also interact with other medicines. This includes medicines you have bought from the pharmacy or supermarket, as well as natural remedies. You need to talk to a health professional about all your child's medicines before starting melatonin.

Taking melatonin when there is a health condition

You need to be careful if your child has a health condition such as:

• an immune disorder
• liver disease
• epilepsy

If your child does have one of these conditions, melatonin may not be suitable. 

The right dose

In some tamariki, melatonin works to start with, and then stops working. This may happen if the dose is too high for your child. If this happens, see a health professional. They may suggest stopping the medicine and starting again at a lower dose. 

Stopping melatonin for at least a week each year

All tamariki should stop melatonin for at least a week each year. During that week, you can see if your child still needs melatonin.