# Melatonin and sleep aids

**Should we give our child melatonin or other 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.

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.

- Area: Sleep
- Evidence: Evidence leans one way
- Best settled: School age
- First published: 2026-10-03
- Last updated: 2026-10-05
- Page: https://www.raisingyourchild.com/topics/sleep--melatonin-and-sleep-aids

## Melatonin and sleep aids: what are the options?

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:

- [AASM](https://aasm.org/advocacy/position-statements/melatonin-use-in-children-and-adolescents-health-advisory/)

## 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?

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General information, not medical advice. Two parents can each answer this and compare: https://www.raisingyourchild.com/explore?cat=sleep&topic=sleep--melatonin-and-sleep-aids