Melatonin and sleep aids
Melatonin is a hormone the body makes to signal bedtime; it is also sold as a supplement. The decision is whether you would ever give a child melatonin or another sleep aid, or rely only on routines and behavior changes.
Should we give our child melatonin or other sleep aids?
In short: Parents choose between 3 main approaches: Behavioral only; Short-term melatonin with medical advice; Routine melatonin. Evidence: evidence leans one way. Research or guidance points in a direction, but it's thin, small or correlational. Best settled: school age.
- Evidence
- Evidence leans one way
- Best settled
- School age
- Part of
- Pregnancy to first birthday
Melatonin and sleep aids: what are the options?
Parents usually land on one of these 3 approaches.
1. Behavioral only
You use routines and habits only, never sleep aids.
2. Short-term melatonin with medical advice
You would use melatonin briefly if a doctor advises it.
3. Routine melatonin
You give melatonin regularly.
Melatonin and sleep aids: what does the evidence say?
Evidence leans one way. Research or guidance points in a direction, but it's thin, small or correlational. (Leans toward caution)
Sleep physicians: consult a clinician first; supplement content varied from under half to over four times the label
Sources
What else is worth knowing?
Melatonin is sold as a supplement for sleep and is sometimes used for children. Doctors generally suggest trying routines first and using it only with advice. Supplements are also less strictly regulated than medicines.
Questions to ask each other
- Would we ever consider melatonin, and under what circumstances?
- Who would we talk to before giving a child melatonin?
- What would we try before anything else?
More in Sleep
First published 2026-10-03. Last updated 2026-10-05. General information, not medical advice.