A Few Questions About Melatonin in Your Toddlers???

We have extensive experience with sleep disorders/sleep problems. We have gotten a tremendous amount of info from the hospital on Melatonin, and I'm happy to pass along what we've learned.

First off, Melatonin is not regulated by the FDA or any other agency. It's not a drug, it's a hormone that we all make, and the Melatonin you can buy on the shelf is supposed to be identical to that hormone. So if the Melatonin you're buying says FDA approved, that should be a warning that you're not buying a reliable supplement, because the FDA does not approve any Melatonin substance.

Second, we were told about studies conducted on Melatonin, that could be purchased at any drugstore or health food store. Some agency (an official one but I can't remember the name) investigated the Melatonin in all the brands, and some didn't contain any, some contained too much, nearly all contained an amount of Melatonin that was different from what the bottle said, and it differed from batch to batch.

We were told to only purchase it from a company called Life Extension Foundation (www.lef.org) as they submit to outside testing and their Melatonin is trusted by the hospital. We were told if we don't buy it from there not to buy it at all (and the hospital doesn't own that company or anything else like that). It's not very expensive, just about the same as the stuff you can buy at Costco or Rite Aid or Walgreen's.

Next, the Melatonin is supposed to be given about 4 hours or 5 hours before bed. There are two forms of it, instant release and timed release. The instant release is supposed to be given the 4 or 5 hours before the desired bedtime. It's not like a sleeping pill. It's not like Benadryl.

We use 3 mcg (micrograms) 5 hours before bedtime. The people at Life Extension Foundation were really helpful.

We haven't seen appetite changes, but if you're buying Melatonin that doesn't contain the proper amount, or could contain other ingredients, that could explain that.

I hope this helps a little! We've done two sleep studies so far and we have to use another medication in addition to Melatonin, but we're trying to get a night's sleep! Our child's issue is more substantial.

If you think about it, your digestive system slows when you sleep. If you're awake, you're using more energy, therefore burning more calories, and THEREFORE eating more. So, I would think it could be possible that it could be affecting her appetite. I've never had any experience with this, so I don't KNOW, but I could definitely see how there could be a connection.

I am personally taking melatonin and can't imagine giving it to a child....and CERTAINLY not in the day time...

I am TRULY sorry you are going through this...I would proceed with the sleep study post-haste. The melatonin does not HELP you STAY asleep - it helps you GET to sleep....

I know for me since taking the melatonin I am not as hungry....thank God! :) but for a growing child? Not a good thing....I am also having VERY vivid dreams...

I would talk to my doctor about getting the sleep study done ASAP...another thing to consider with melatonin - it says it's not addicting...but I tell you - I'm having a hard time doing without it when I go to bed....

I am wondering if your daughter is AD/HD and can't stop her brain from going all night...

I have given it to my son, he is 4 now. We use it Rarely now but we used it on and off from 2 and 1/2 through age 3 pretty regularly. I have always used it only at bedtime, never at naptime. I have never given him more that 1.5 mg and I have always given it to him 30 minutes prior to when he needed to be asleep by. I cannot help you appetite wise...Alex has always been an on again off again eater...Just the other day I told my mom that Alex had eaten a big dinner the night before, so we did not expect him to eat much the next day or so...he has always gone in spurts.
Usually we would give it to him every night for a week to get him on schedule, then the next week we would only have to give it to him every other night and then just gradually off, until he would start not sleeping again...then we would start over. He still does not sleep a lot. We have many late late nights. When school resumes we will go back to our melatonin routine, but we took the summer off...Alex is on the spectrum and has sleep issues related to that.
I wish you luck.

I've only read about the use of melatonin in children. But I've used it myself for several years.

The change in appetite is more likely connected to increased sleep and decreased activity than to the melatonin itself. One of the side effects of insufficient sleep is often increased appetite and food cravings, and for those of us who struggle for years with insomnia, weight gain is common.

Plus toddlers commonly have periods of time when they simply seem to lose all interest in food for a week or a month at a time (until the next growth spurt arrives), so your daughter's decreased appetite may simply be coincidental.

In addition to melatonin, as directed by your pediatrician, you might look into the following means of improving your daughter's sleep:

Here's one very informative article on melatonin and light: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/05/health/05light.html?pag...

You can possibly optimize your daughter's natural melatonin production by giving her plenty of exposure to natural daylight. Earlier in the day is thought to be better. Reduce her exposure to light, especially in the green to blue end of the color spectrum, during the last hour or two before bedtime. This would mean no television or other screen time, because those produce light in the blue spectrum.

Other things that can negatively affect a child's ability to sleep are not enough physical activity during the day, a room that's too warm or cold, and the presence of many chemicals that modern homemakers have learned (through clever advertising) to rely on: central nervous system irritants are common in laundry products (especially fabric softeners) and scented detergents, air fresheners and many household cleaners. Your daughter might be hopped up on chemicals if you use these products, especially in her room.

i have no experiece with melatonin and am interested in it.

and I have to say sorry for your lack of sleep and your pms. I feel your pain.

I have a question that maybe you can add to what you have written but i don't want to color any responses you might get so I"ll PM you.

Hope you and dd get some rest.

I would not give melatonin in the day time at all. It will seriously screw up her circadian rhythm, it should only be given at night. While it is a powerful supplement with many health benefits, it does need to be used with caution, and not over an extended period of time. It builds up in the body over time, so you may find you need to up the dosage a bit. I'm very surprised that your ped suggested giving during the day, it's a red flag just he doesn't know much about this powerful supplement. Consider going to an experienced naturopath for supplement and other wise and helpful advice about sleeping. Also check out askdrears.com for great info about sleep. Good luck!