Some parents use the over-the-counter supplement to help kids sleep.
By Jo Ling Kent ••
Some parents are turning to Melatonin, described as an all natural supplement, to help their kids fall asleep. But some doctors say it may not be as natural as advertised and have a warning.
Editor's Note: This story was first published in 2012
Getting young children to bed on time has never been an easy feat. Recently, more and more parents have been turning to an "all natural" supplement, melatonin, to help induce sweet dreams. However, doctors have a warning for parents that melatonin might not be as safe and natural as advertised.
"In one sense I can say I hate it, in another sense I can tell you it's been a lifesaver for my daughter," says Missy St. Peter, a mother of two in West Haven.
Several times a week before bed, St. Peter and her husband Dan crush a 3 milligram dose of melatonin, mix it with peanut butter and give it to their 9-year-old daughter Vicky on a cracker.
"If I give her melatonin, she doesn't wake up in the middle of the night. She gets a full 8 hours. Everyone in the house is happy," St. Peter says.
"Every time I give him melatonin he wakes up in the middle of the night and he's terrified," St. Peter recalls. "I stopped the melatonin."
The St. Peter's mixed results are hard to explain but the doctors we spoke to agree one thing is clear: melatonin isn't necessarily qualified to be a safe sleep aid for kids.
Melatonin is a hormone that is secreted by your brain and is present in every person's body. It is produced at a higher rate at a young age. Despite the fact that it is naturally occurring, Hartford Hospital toxicologist wants parents to know that the manufactured supplements have not been clinically proven to be a healthy sleep agent.
"It's very easy to walk into a drug store and see shelves of pills that are supplements and are marketed to treat a certain condition even though legally they can't market them as such," Dr. Johnson-Arbor explains.
Many bottles sold in drug stores advertise that melatonin actually "helps promote sleep" but if you look closely, there is a disclaimer on the back: "These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, care or prevent any disease."
"It's possibly thought to affect growth, to affect sexual development and puberty and a lot of different effects," Dr. Johnson-Arbor explains. "It is a hormone and it definitely can have these severe interactions that you might not think of just looking at the pill on the counter and buying it over the counter thinking it is safe."
Dr. Johnson-Arbor cites studies that melatonin is clinically proven to help children with specific disabilities like autism but has not yet been proven to be healthy for children without disabilities.
The Council for Responsible Nutrition is the leading trade association for the supplement industry.
"Melatonin has a strong safety profile but it should only be given to children as a sleep aide in consultation with a doctor or other healthcare practitioner," said Duffy MacKay, vice president of scientific and regulatory affairs for the Council. MacKay is also a practicing naturopathic doctor.
When we asked our Facebook followers about melatonin for children, the reactions were strong. They ranged from success stories to vows never to touch the supplement.
West Hartford Pediatrician Dr. Tom Fromson strongly recommends examining bed time routines, exposure to bright screens, exercise and diet before taking melatonin.
"As a routine medication to help a child sleep, I think I should first have a better understanding of why child is having trouble sleeping," Dr. Fromson told NBC Connecticut.
Busy mom Missy St. Peter agrees with Fromson but says she has not had luck with those adjustments. She's simply a mother who wants her daughter to get a good night's rest so she can be at her best.
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RICKY (shared by Lorna): "This is Ricky! He was rescued from the CT Humane Society in Newington last February. He is a crazy ball of love and energy. My husband and I love him so much."
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MOOSE (shared by Christiane Cordero)
DYLAN (shared by Kathy): "This is my baby boy Dylan. He's a Pom/Boarder-Collie mix and I rescued him in Florida when he was 2 yrs. old. He's a very happy boy now and loves his sister's who he protects all the time"
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STEWIE (shared by KM): "This is my baby boy Dylan. He's a Pom/Boarder-Collie mix and I rescued him in Florida when he was 2 yrs. old. He's a very happy boy now and loves his sister's who he protects all the time"
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DOMINO (shared by Irene): "Domino was born blind my daughter and I rescued him he's now 15"
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LEO (shared by Siobhan): "This is Leo. He rescued him from the pound. 16 yrs old and the best dog ever!"
"ASSOCIATES" (shared by Steven): "Happy National Puppy Day! Celebrate responsibly."
MAJOR (shared by Thomas): "Major is our boxer pit mix I rescued in 08 our cat milo is also a rescue. We also have a Shitzu we rescued and a cat with no eyes we rescued"
CHLOE (shared by Missy): "This is my Chloe from Beacon Falls, she's almost 2! She's a Shih-poo"
PIPER (shared by Craig): "Piper the pup who thought it was ok to take a hot log from the campfire and put it on her bed"
GUNTHER (shared by David): Gunther is an awsome dog he is laid back and spends some of his days at Prime Climb looking for people to pet him
DIESEL (Shared by Christine): "This is Diesel. He is 7 , but he is and will always be my baby puppy.. . . Manchester, CT"
JACK (shared by Laura): "Handsome Jack in his Al Borland vest. 1.5 years young. Who rescued who!?!"
MANDY AND LEXI (shared by @relayer35): "Happy National Puppy Day from Mandy & Lexi! #NationalPuppyDay #nbcct #ConnectingYou #NBCCT "
CHARLI (shared by Nicole): "Happy #NationalPuppyDay from our pup Charli (with her best bud Allie)."
POPCORN AND KOBE (shared by Crystal): "Bull Terriers are two year olds in dog suits. My forever puppies, the dynamic duo Popcorn and Kobe."
DROGO (shared by Kimberly): ""That was a great game huh Mom" said our Drogo dog! A rescue who rescued me!"
BELLE (shared by Kimberly): "Belle she turns a year old today.. But will always be my puppy.."
LILY (shared by Ricky): "Lily Potter my rescue pit. 3 more weeks she will be 6 years old"
BENTLEY (shared by Darren Sweeney)
ARCHIE (shared by Kathy)
DELILAH (shared by Angel)
LADY (shared by Joe): "Adopted Lady, the black one, out of Waterbury Pound 2 years ago. Sweetest, most lovable dog I have met."
REMINGTON (shared by Danielle)
WILLOW (shared by Marissa)
ANGELINA (shared by Mary Sue)
from Jim: "These two have been friends for over10 years !! This picture is from their first week together !!"
TOOTSIE (shared by Dorothy): "Tootsie, our pet therapy dog, bringing love to so many."
MAX (shared by Jessica): "My baby Max 1 year 1/2. we love him so much...Waterbury, CT"
GRACIE (shared by Karen)
BENTLEY (shared by Denise)
BABY AND JAZMINE (shared by Andrea)
BUTTONS (shared by Tammy)
MAYA (shared by Karen): "Maya the shiba inu at the beach!"
KODA (shared by Kristin): "Our almost 4 month old puppy, Koda"
OSCAR (shared by Sherry)
EMMA AND MILO (shared by Dawn)
Rescue Babies (shared by Marie)
BENTLY AND MILLIE (shared by Cathi)
LEXI LOU (shared by Sharon)
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Meanwhile, Dr. Johnson-Arbor of Hartford Hospital urges parents to think twice, much like how St. Peter did.
"I know it's hard," Dr. Johnson-Arbor says. "I know we all want our kids to sleep well at night, but sometimes a pill isn't always the answer."
