Before Giving Your Child Melatonin, Read This!

Melatonin is a hormone ~ NOT a vitamin ~ with widespread effects on the endocrine system. In children, whose hormonal rhythms and developmental timing are still being established, routine or long-term melatonin use raises legitimate concerns. While short-term sleep benefits are apparent, long-term safety (particularly regarding puberty and endocrine system development) has not been adequately studied. In the absence of clear safety data, parents should use it with caution!!

Here is my hot take after reviewing two papers on this topic. Including one from one of the most authoritative endocrine journals that clearly dismantles the idea that melatonin is a sleep vitamin.

The facts

Melatonin is synthesized by the pineal gland, released directly into the bloodstream, and acts on specific receptors throughout the body. This is the classical definition of a hormone. 

Melatonin is not a vitamin deficiency we’re correcting…it’s a hormone we’re adding from the outside. Hormones are the messenger systems of the body, little postmen (& women) traveling through your blood to tell your body how to feel, react, and function! 

From the paper by Cipolla-Neto & Amaral (2018), melatonin acts as a “biological time-domain hormone”, coordinating circadian, seasonal, and even developmental signals. Its effects depend not just on dose, but on timing, duration, and rhythm of exposure… something supplements cannot replicate precisely. Melatonin receptors (MT1 and MT2) are found in the hypothalamus, pituitary, adrenal glands, pancreas, gonads, and reproductive tissues. Core endocrine axes. (Cipolla-Neto & Amaral, 2018) 

Why this matters for kids

Children’s endocrine systems are still wiring their internal clocks. Introducing an external timing hormone may interfere with that process. 

Melatonin directly interacts with reproductive and endocrine tissues. A compound that binds to reproductive organs is not endocrine-neutral, especially during development. Endogenous melatonin levels are highest in prepubertal children, then decline after puberty, suggesting a role in pubertal timing. (Cipolla-Neto & Amaral, 2018)

That natural decline is a normal part of growing up. When we override it with supplements, we may be working against the body’s own timing cues.

This second paper comes from the International Pediatric Sleep Association (IPSA), which formed a Melatonin Task Force to make evidence-based recommendations for children.

They emphasise that “commonly used” does not mean “well-studied for development”. They state that the long-term endocrine and developmental outcomes remain insufficiently studied. Most pediatric trials are short-term and not designed to detect hormonal or pubertal effects. The paper also notes ongoing concern about melatonin’s potential influence on the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal (HPG) axis, which regulates puberty. (Melatonin Task Force, 2025)

The absence of definitive harm is not proof of safety, especially given ethical limits on long-term pediatric trials. 

The International Pediatric Sleep Association provides a free downloadable guide for parents here: https://ipsapedsleep.wildapricot.org/Melatonin-TaskForce

‼️Important nuance‼️

There are circumstances where melatonin production or timing is genuinely disrupted, often alongside broader system dysregulations. In those cases, the goal isn’t forcing sleep, but supporting the whole system back into rhythm, which melatonin can be beneficial with professional help.

Holistic Recommendations

Natural light in the first 30–60 minutes after waking is the single most powerful circadian regulator. Melatonin is made in the dark...literally! Dim lights after sunset, avoid those awful LED bulbs, and blue light 1-2 hours before bed.  Even small amounts of bright light at night can suppress natural melatonin production.

Circadian rhythm thrives on pattern, not pressure. A consistent bedtime is good for a child's nervous system. Eating patterns matter too, especially getting enough protein intake (I know… easier said than done).

Try to incorporate magnesium-rich foods where you can, or age-appropriate teas such as chamomile, lemon balm.

The key is consistency & patience. Light a candle, grab a book, and enjoy a nightly cup of tea with your little one. Sleep well zzZ

Let's also not forget this can affect us adults, too ;) What routines or rituals have helped you settle into rest lately?

RESOURCES

Cipolla-Neto, J., & Amaral, F. G. do. (2018). Melatonin as a hormone: New physiological and clinical insights. Endocrine Reviews, 39(6), 990–1028. https://doi.org/10.1210/er.2018-00084

Owens, J. A., Simakajornboon, N., Kotagal, S., Gringras, P., Melatonin Task Force, International Pediatric Sleep Association (IPSA) Practice and Policy Committee, & IPSA Board of Directors. (2025). Melatonin use in typically developing children: IPSA expert consensus recommendations for healthcare providers. Sleep Medicine, 128, 127–129. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sleep.2025.02.002