Kids and Melatonin FAQ

A: If your child falls asleep shortly after going to bed, stays asleep throughout the night, and wakes up refreshed, you’re in great shape! There is no need to add a sleep aid to your nighttime routine if your child is already a good sleeper. If, on the other hand, your child has trouble falling asleep, wakes up frequently during the night, or consistently wakes up groggy or cranky, it could be time to consider a sleep aid for your child. Unfortunately, for many parents, this is the reality. If your child is generally a good sleeper, but sometimes has difficulty falling or staying asleep, which can be common after traveling or before a stressful day at school, you may want to consider a sleep aid on these occasions. A melatonin supplement can be a great choice because it’s gentle enough to be used only as needed. The side effects of short-term sleeplessness can include:

• Trouble waking up
• Memory loss
• Poor school performance

A: There are many prescription and over-the-counter sleep aid options on the market. It can be difficult to know what the right choice for your family is. Many parents choose melatonin supplements because they are effective, drug-free and non-habit-forming.
• Melatonin is a hormone, not a drug. Unlike many other sleep aids, melatonin doesn’t introduce a chemical drug to your child’s system. Your child’s body already creates melatonin, the sleep hormone, naturally. When your child’s brain thinks it’s time for bed, it will start increasing the amount of melatonin in your child’s system, causing sleepiness. A melatonin supplement only adds to what your child’s brain is already producing.
• Melatonin is effective. Melatonin supplements have been shown to be an effective solution to sleeplessness. It’s so effective and has so few side effects that it’s not just for kids; melatonin is the preferred sleep aid for many adults, [too](/en-us/product/pure-zzzs-kidz-melatonin-gummies).
• Melatonin is non-habit-forming. Many sleep aids are too powerful and disruptive to take only as needed. Some sleep aids require that they be taken consistently and the dose slowly tapered down before they can be stopped completely. However, because melatonin is gentle and natural, it can be taken by children only on nights when they might have a difficult time sleeping.

A: The possible side effects of melatonin use are rare and mild. While most people report no side effects from melatonin use, possible side effects can include mild headaches and nausea. If your child experiences side effects, stop use and ask your pediatrician about solutions to sleeplessness. Click here for a complete list of possible side effects of melatonin.

A: Sleep is vital to the health and development of children. If your child is not sleeping soundly, it could be time to consider adding a sleep aid to the bedtime routine. Melatonin supplements are a solution to occasional sleeplessness for kids and adults. PURE Zzzs Kidz Melatonin Gummies is a melatonin supplement for ages 4+ that is mindfully crafted for kids with a low dose of melatonin to ensure a restful night of sleep. If you want to help your child get better sleep, talk to your pediatrician about adding PURE Zzzs Kidz Melatonin Gummies to your child’s bedtime routine.