Baby Melatonin: Is It Safe?
Does your little one have trouble falling asleep at night or staying asleep during nap times? If your baby isn’t sleeping well, it’s quite likely that you aren’t getting enough sleep either. We know how much a lack of sleep can affect your day-to-day life. In this article, we’re looking at baby melatonin.
This article includes:
- What is melatonin?
- How does melatonin work?
- Melatonin supplements
- How do babies produce melatonin?
- Can you give a baby melatonin?
- Melatonin for babies 6 months old
- How to naturally develop a child’s circadian rhythm
- Baby sleep problems
What is melatonin?
Melatonin is a natural hormone released from the body’s pineal gland. The melatonin hormone is responsible for regulating sleep patterns.
Melatonin is released when it goes dark, teaching the body that it’s time to sleep. When it becomes lighter in the mornings, the body stops releasing melatonin to allow you to wake up.
Melatonin supplements are typically used by those having sleep problems or who have difficulty staying asleep.
How does melatonin work?
The sleep hormone melatonin works through the changes in light during the day. The brain is responsible for controlling our circadian rhythms. The circadian rhythm is part of an individual’s body clock and can be affected by a number of factors.
There are a number of reasons why a baby may struggle with disrupted sleep. For example, they may not be tired, they may be overtired, or they may not have an ideal sleeping environment.
For some children, not sleeping can be a sign of sleep disorders. It can also be a sign of neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). You can get in touch with your doctor if you suspect a disorder. A doctor can conduct testing and suggest ways to manage things better.
Melatonin supplements
Different forms of melatonin supplements can be given. In the UK, melatonin is only available through a prescription from a doctor. In other countries, melatonin can be bought over the counter as liquids, chewable tablets and gummies.
Melatonin supplements are typically slow-release and should be taken around 30 minutes before bedtime.
Most of the time, melatonin treatment is used by adults over 55. However, it can sometimes be prescribed to adults under 55 and children to help with sleep issues. It can be used by those who have difficulty falling asleep or have jet lag.
How do babies produce melatonin?
During pregnancy, a baby’s melatonin levels are reliant on the mother and their circadian rhythm. The placenta is formed during pregnancy and provides the baby with essential nutrients. The placenta is responsible for producing hormones such as hCG in pregnancy.
Babies begin producing their own melatonin when they are born. The amount of melatonin released is very small. Breastfeeding can allow your baby to have more melatonin. However, since they are releasing their own newborn melatonin, this is not essential.
Pregnant women should avoid melatonin. The body typically produces enough melatonin, so supplements are not usually necessary.
Can you give a baby melatonin?
Melatonin is a supplement and is not regulated for safety. This means that there can be differences in the amount of melatonin in each supplement.
You should speak to your doctor before you make any decisions regarding your child’s sleep. Typically, when babies are struggling to sleep, there is a clear reason. Due to this, melatonin is not usually prescribed for babies under 3 years of age.
Very little research is available on the real effects of baby melatonin use. Therefore, it is usually best to avoid it. However, depending on your circumstances, your doctor may recommend it. We always advise you to seek professional advice if you are worried about your child.
Melatonin for babies 6 months old
Infant melatonin levels tend to start increasing at around the 2 – 4 month mark. By 6 months, they will be producing more of their own melatonin and may have gotten into a sleep routine. Many parents think about sleep problems at this time due to the 6 month sleep regression.
The 6 month sleep regression can occur at any stage around this time. While it can cause early waking or disrupted sleep, it’s actually a result of your baby meeting developmental milestones. The important thing to remember is that sleep regressions are only temporary. Speak to a sleep specialist if you become worried about sleep regressions.
You might be searching for a quick fix, which melatonin is described as. However, melatonin for a 6 month old is not recommended.
If your baby can’t fall asleep at 6 months old, they may be teething. There are some signs of teething that you can look out for:
- One red cheek
- Increased saliva
- Irritability
- Being harder to soothe
How to naturally develop a child’s circadian rhythm
Babies only release a small amount of melatonin. This means it’s important that parents do what they can to develop their circadian rhythm naturally.
Wake windows and sleep schedules
Sticking to a sleep schedule with a newborn baby can be tricky. However, having a good idea of appropriate wake windows by age can help you to develop a routine.
Newborn wake windows typically only last for around 45 minutes. However, as your baby gets older, their wake windows will increase. This means you’ll have more time to get to know your little one and develop their skills.
Sometimes babies may need more or less sleep than the average for their age. If you notice your baby is more tired, you may need to increase nap times and shorten wake windows. You could even introduce one last nap for around 30 minutes. Letting your child sleep for a short time may give them an energy boost.
Some babies require less sleep, so you may find that they need fewer naps throughout the day. All babies are different and have different sleep cycles, just like adults! Struggling to sleep as a baby could be due to circadian rhythms not being quite right. Don’t worry, as this will come with age.
Teach your baby night & day
Newborn babies especially can struggle with the differentiation between night and day. This is because their circadian rhythm is still developing and learning when it’s time to sleep. This is not usually a long-lasting problem and can be dealt with by establishing a routine and ensuring a regular bedtime. As melatonin production increases, this will become easier for them.
It’s a good idea to avoid bright lights and lots of noise when it’s bedtime. These can stimulate your baby and prevent them from falling asleep. Additionally, you can include more playful activities during wake windows. Sticking to wake windows can help you to develop sleep patterns for your baby.
Creating a bedtime routine
It is always a good idea to develop a bedtime routine for your baby. The bedtime routine should begin around 30 minutes before bedtime. Typical bedtime routines may include a bath, fresh pyjamas, milk and a cuddle before sleep.
You should keep the lights low and the noise to a minimum when settling a baby for bed. This will help them to relax. When it’s time for daytime naps, you may find that your baby sleeps through noises. This can help them to understand day and night sleep routines.
Ensuring your baby has a consistent bedtime routine can help them improve sleep quality.
Don’t panic
We’re sure you’re doing a fantastic job, so don’t panic. Your little one will likely develop a good sleeping routine. Remember that it’s ok to ask for support if you feel worried.
Baby sleep problems
When your baby is experiencing sleep problems, it’s easy to look for quick fixes. Infant melatonin may appear to be a quick fix. Even child melatonin for a 1-year-old is not recommended as there is not enough research to promote its safety.
Baby sleep environment tips
We’ve already given you an idea of a good sleep environment, dark and quiet! Your baby’s sleep environment is one of the most common reasons for disrupted sleep.
Disrupted sleep in babies can also be the result of nightmares or being generally scared at nighttime. Many parents introduce a night light to help children sleep better. A nightlight should be dim and can effectively ease a child’s worrying at nighttime.
You should be wary of using a nightlight as this can affect the circadian rhythm. The rhythm relies on light and dark throughout the day. If your baby requires a light at night, the circadian rhythm cannot work as it should.
Excess light can limit the pineal gland and the brain’s ability to produce melatonin. This will have its own effects on your baby’s sleep. Healthy children need sleep to develop their skills.
It would be best to stick to natural light colours while keeping them dimly lit. This means avoiding main lights and coloured lights that may inhibit your baby’s ability to fall asleep.
You should contact a doctor if nightmares begin to occur frequently. A doctor can give you advice and support to help your baby sleep better.
The use of melatonin supplements can cause some side effects, including vivid dreams. This is one of the reasons why it is not recommended to give melatonin to a child.
My baby won’t sleep with the light off
It can be worrying when your baby won’t sleep without the light on. They may even be upset or cranky about it. Our advice is to do your best to reassure your baby. Speak to a sleep consultant about the best practice for removing night lights.
If you are worried about your baby’s sleeping, get in touch with a doctor. They can give you advice and discuss the potential for baby melatonin. Though melatonin use in children is not recommended before three years, they may assess how much melatonin the body produces. Depending on your baby’s age, they may conduct testing for neurodevelopmental disorders.
Older children with difficulty falling asleep may be offered a small amount of melatonin to boost the body’s natural hormone production. We hope this article regarding baby melatonin has been helpful.
Hey there, I’m Abigail!
In 2022, I graduated with a First Class Degree in Marketing and since then, I have been working as a blogger and Marketing Assistant. Before heading to university, I also achieved a BTEC in Children’s Play, Learning and Development.
I have been blogging for over four years and have covered many topics during this time. My focus has been on pregnancy, babies, sleep and baby name ideas.
I am passionate about learning new things and helping others. I hope that you find my blogs useful and informative. See you in the next article!