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Best Melatonin Supplement That’s Safe for Children

Jessica Jones

Sleep is one of the most important areas that can affect the quality of life of a child. Even if it’s important for people of all ages, children that are still in their growth phase need to get just the right amount of sleep. Otherwise, this can affect their growth, their concentration, and several other aspects of their life.

1. Zarbee’s Naturals Children’s Sleep with Melatonin Supplement – Editor's Choice

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  • Product dimensions: 4 x 2.4 x 4 inches
  • Product weight: 7 ounces
  • Flavors: 3
  • Package: Bottle with 50 gummies

2. LUNA Kids

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  • Product dimensions: 2 x 2 x 3.4 inches
  • Product weight: 2.08 ounces
  • Flavours: 1
  • Package: Bottle with 60 chewable tablets

3. Tired Teddies Natural Sleep Aid for Kids

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  • Product dimensions: 2.4 x 2.4 x 4.3 inches
  • Product weight: 11.2 ounces
  • Flavours: 1
  • Package: Bottle with 90 tablets

4. Good Day Chocolate Melatonin for Kids

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  • Product dimensions: 2.6 x 2.6 x 4.2 inches
  • Product weight: 8 ounces
  • Flavours: 1
  • Package: Bottle with 50 capsules
Thankfully, a lot of manufacturers that make natural sleep aids for adults have started to explore the children’s niche, making their products even more natural.

5. Wink Naturals Kid’s Liquid Sleep Drops

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  • Product dimensions: N/A
  • Product weight: 3.2 ounces
  • Flavours: 1
  • Package: 2 oz. bottle with liquid drops

Sleep Deprivation in Children

Without a doubt, caring for a child’s sleeping schedule should be the priority of every parent. But most parents might be wondering: how much sleep is enough? Typically, children below the age of one year should get about 12 to 16 hours per sleep every day. As they grow, this number slowly decreases. For example, children aged between 3 and 5 years would benefit from about 10 to 13 hours of sleep, while teenagers between 13 and 18 years should get about 8 to 10 hours of sleep.

Naturally, as your child grows, it becomes increasingly more difficult to convince them to get the amount of sleep they need. In fact, studies show that about 73 percent of high-school students don’t get as much sleep as they should.

Sleep-Deprivation

Sleep deprivation can cause children’s hormones to be imbalanced, which can lead to other health problems, such as childhood obesity or diabetes. High blood pressure can also arise as a consequence of children not getting enough sleep. The lack of sleep will also affect the child’s immune system. If your child catches the flu virus, for instance, they have greater odds of their body fighting off this infection if they get the proper amount of rest. Lack of sleep leads to a weakening in the body which, in turn, leads to the body’s inability to fight off viruses and infections.

Sleep deprivation can have two different approaches. It could be translated in the child not getting enough sleep, or having the quality of their sleep affected by different factors. There are children that experience sleeping problems because of other issues that can be medically treated, like when a child has insomnia or sleep apnea.

If you suspect that your child has a sleeping problem, it’s best to observe all the signs and then talk to a pediatric doctor, for further assessment of this problem.

Needless to say, sleep deprivation is correlated to the daytime performance of every human being, and your child is no exception. Not getting enough sleep can cause major disruption in what would otherwise be a normal daytime schedule for a child. Since every child could have a different reaction to sleep deprivation, monitoring your child’s sleeping schedule is not the only important thing, but a parent must also make note of how the child sleeps.

Why Won’t They Sleep?

Is the question of a lot of parents, frustrated about their children not having a well-defined sleeping schedule. The truth of the matter is, finding out the exact cause for sleep deprivation is not easy. It could be anything from an emotional change, to physical problems.

Among the most common reason for sleep deprivation in children, we’d like to point out the following: divorce, moving to a new home/city/country, domestic violence, excessive homework, problems in school (failure to fit in, bullying, etc.), spending too much  time in front of the TV/tablet/computer, too little social interaction that could leave the child feeling sad, etc.

How To Spot It

If you know what a child with a solid sleeping schedule looks like, then you can immediately spot a child that isn’t getting enough rest. For example, children who sleep as much as they should are full of energy, optimistic, socially active, are ready to engage in conversation, are playful, and have an overall state of positivity.

When a child lacks sleep, there are a few common signs that could alert parents of this situation:

separation anxiety
  • The child may have a difficult time waking up in the morning.
  • They lack coordination and do clumsy things on a regular basis.
  • They show signs of anxiety and/or depression.
  • Show constant mood swings, are irritated, and cranky.
  • They show signs of aggression and often throw temper tantrums over the smallest things.
  • They are severely unmotivated, display disruptive behavior, and have memory and focus problems.
  • Falls asleep suddenly (crash) in the unexpected moment throughout the day.

Much like adults, children that suffer from sleep deprivation have a lot to lose. It has been scientifically demonstrated that the lack of sleep affects people not just on a physical level, but it can impact several other aspects of their life, such as their academic performance, or their relationships with family and friends. If your child suffers from sleep disorders, they may also show signs of:

  • Breathing pauses when sleeping.
  • Snoring or irregular breathing patterns.
  • Restless leg syndrome (constantly feeling the need to move their legs while they are sleeping).
  • Bedwetting.
  • Nightmares.
  • Nausea or headaches during the morning.

Is Melatonin Safe for Kids?

Short answer: yes. Longer answer: yes, and with little to no side effects. There are very few cases where children have shown side effects of natural melatonin supplements. If any, these side effects include nausea, stomach pains, headaches, or morning grogginess.

Studies have yet to reveal any conclusive information on whether there are any long term negative effects on children that take melatonin supplements, so it’s best to avoid using them for really long periods of time, at least until we can know for sure if they are harmful or not.

You may be interested in: Melatonin Supplements Dosage and Usage

Top Melatonin Supplement for Kids

Thankfully, a lot of manufacturers that make natural sleep aids for adults have started to explore the children’s niche, making their products even more natural. The tricky thing with children is that they can’t be easily convinced to put pills into their mouth, which means that brands need to walk the extra mile to make these supplements as tasty and less sensory disturbing as possible. Today, we have found five of the most beloved melatonin supplements amongst children. And, since sharing is caring, here they are.

1. Zarbee’s Naturals Children’s Sleep with Melatonin Supplement – Editor's Choice

Highlights

  • Product dimensions: 4 x 2.4 x 4 inches
  • Product weight: 7 ounces
  • Flavors: 3
  • Package: Bottle with 50 gummies

Pros

  • Natural fruit flavor.
  • No high fructose corn syrup.
  • No artificial flavors.
  • Non-habit forming.
  • Three different flavors.

Cons

  • Bottle not childproof.

It could be that the three delicious flavors have boosted Zarbee’s Naturals supplements to the top of the customers’ list. That, or the fact that the brand itself was created by a pediatrician, who is the number one person you trust when your child has any sort of health problems. Whatever the case, Zarbee’s Naturals is one of the yummiest and most effective melatonin supplements for children.

These melatonin sleep aids are suitable for children above the age of three and are very easy to ingest because of their berry flavors. All parents know that getting children to take anything that’s even remotely similar to medicine can be a nightmare, so Zarbee’s has found a way to make this process easier. Two very important factors that make this one of the best products of its kind is the fact that they actually induce sleep without being habit-forming sleep aids, and they don’t cause next day grogginess.

Even more, Zarbee’s Naturals sleep aids don’t contain any artificial sweeteners or flavors and are not made with high fructose corn syrup.

Who Should Buy This?

Parents that simply love purchasing products tested and approved by other parents are going to love the Zarbee’s Naturals melatonin sleep supplements.

2. Runner Up – LUNA Kids

Highlights

  • Product dimensions: 2 x 2 x 3.4 inches
  • Product weight: 2.08 ounces
  • Flavours: 1
  • Package: Bottle with 60 chewable tablets

Pros

  • Sugar-free tablets.
  • Naturally sourced ingredients.
  • Made with natural sweeteners.
  • Contains vitamin D.
  • Non-habit forming.

Cons

  • Some children may dislike the taste.

LUNA is already known for making some of the best natural sleep aids for adults, so expanding their brand to serve children seemed like a natural step. So, here’s what you need to know about one of the most respectable natural sleep aid brands. First, of, this brand has made it its mission to use only ethically produced ingredients in their products.

The formula for LUNA Kids contains three different herbal ingredients, which are well-known for their ability to induce sleep: chamomile, valerian root, and lemon balm. Some of the other ingredients in LUNA Kids are vitamin D, melatonin, citric acid, xylitol, and stevia leaf extract, amongst others.

Another very important thing to mention about this product is that it doesn’t contain any sugar. There are many other natural sleep aids with melatonin that have added sugar, to make the taste better, and make sure that kids enjoy it. So, if you’re looking for a sugar-free product, this is one option to consider.

Who Should Buy This?

Looking for a best-selling melatonin supplement for children? The LUNA Kids manages to balance price, quality, and a series of natural ingredients, which are meant to act as natural sleep-inducing supplements. It’s the perfect product for parents who want what’s best for their child.

3. Customer’s Choice – Tired Teddies Natural Sleep Aid for Kids

Highlights

  • Product dimensions: 2.4 x 2.4 x 4.3 inches
  • Product weight: 11.2 ounces
  • Flavours: 1
  • Package: Bottle with 90 tablets

Pros

  • No sugar, gluten, or soy.
  • Contain chamomile, lemon balm, and California poppy.
  • Is not habit forming?
  • Large bottle with 90 teddies.
  • Available in an invisible powder formula.
  • No added colors.

Cons

  • Hard to chew.
  • Slow to dissolve.

The Tired Teddies natural sleep aids stay true to their promise. They really are a natural product, that doesn’t contain any dairy, nuts, soy, gluten, or sugar. If you know that your child is allergic to any of these proteins, the Tired Teddies melatonin sleep aids should be at the top of your list.

The supplement contains the recommended melatonin does that’s typically approved by pediatricians all over the world. It’s a non-habit forming product, which is one of the key features to look for when you’re giving your children sleep aids. What’s really interesting is that Tired Teddies also sells the InvisiMix. This is a power that can easily be mixed with your child’s food or drink and is particularly useful for children that are not comfortable with the taste or the texture of the tablets.

Aside from melatonin, Tired Teddies also contains a series of natural herbs: chamomile – which has been used for centuries as a herb that naturally induces a state of calm and relaxes the muscles, lemon balm – which is a natural sleep aid, California poppy – an ingredient that reduces anxiety and helps the brain slow down, and Echinacea – which is a booster for the immune system, and a plant used to help combat colds.

Who Should Buy This?

If you want a large bottle with all-natural ingredients, and without any proteins that might trigger any allergies, the Tired Teddies melatonin supplement is the right one for your child.

Highlights

  • Product dimensions: 2.6 x 2.6 x 4.2 inches
  • Product weight: 8 ounces
  • Flavours: 1
  • Package: Bottle with 50 capsules

Pros

  • No artificial flavours.
  • Contains Fair-Trade chocolate milk.
  • Candy-like coating, made from fruits and veggies.
  • Pleasant chocolate taste.

Cons

  • Contains sugar.
  • Thorough chewing required.

Who doesn’t love chocolate? Kids surely do, and that’s what makes the Good Day melatonin supplement the tastiest option for children who are really picky about what they eat. Each piece of this little blue capsule contains 1 mg of melatonin, which doesn’t exceed the recommended amount of this hormone for kids.

However, it does contain sugar, so some parents may avoid giving it after kids have brushed their teeth. The coating of the capsules is made with a combination of fruits and veggies, while each capsule contains Fair-Trade milk chocolate. It’s a great sleep aid for children that are at least 3 years old. By giving your child one capsule about 30 minutes to one hour prior to bedtime, you can ensure that your little one falls sound asleep really fast.

Aside from being super-tasty, these capsules are also made avoiding certain ingredients that you don’t want your child to eat, like gelatine, pectin, synthetic food coloring, artificial flavors, or high fructose corn syrup.

Who Should Buy This?

If your child is really picky about the taste of the sleep aids you’ve been giving them so far, this melatonin-based product has a very pleasant chocolaty taste, that your child is bound to enjoy.

5. Best Liquid Drops For Kids – Wink Naturals Kid’s Liquid Sleep Drops

Highlights

  • Product dimensions: N/A
  • Product weight: 3.2 ounces
  • Flavours: 1
  • Package: 2 oz. bottle with liquid drops

Pros

  • Natural berry flavour.
  • Made with just four natural ingredients.
  • Can be dissolved in other drinks.
  • Taste bud friendly.
  • Doesn’t contain any sugar.
  • Non-habit forming.

Cons

  • Bottle not childproof.
  • Pricier than other alternatives.

To end our series of short reviews, we’ve chosen an alternative from the gummies/tablets/capsules/whatever solid form of pill the market has to offer. We ditched all that in favor of some liquid drops that promise to put your child to sleep, without the risk of forming any habits or addictions to this melatonin supplement.

The Wink Naturals drops are made with four natural ingredients: melatonin, natural berry flavor, glycerin, and water. That’s it. No other additives, no artificial flavors, no sugar, no other ingredients that you don’t want your baby to ingest. Every drop contains 1 mg of melatonin, which is just the right dose that your kid needs.

To administer the Wink Natural drops, give a full drop to your kids about 30 minutes before their normal bedtime. If for some reason, your child doesn’t like the taste, you can add it to a glass of juice or water, although we’re pretty sure the berry flavour will be at least bearable for most children.

Who Should Buy This?

Parents that have a hard time convincing their children to take tablets or pills, can try these melatonin-based drops. If the pleasant natural berry taste is not something your child likes, you can easily dissolve a drop in a glass of their favorite juice, and they won’t even know they’re taking this supplement.

You might want to read also: Best Sleep Supplements

Bottom Line

Sleep deprivation amongst children is not an issue to be neglected. Even when giving your child melatonin supplements, you must carefully observe if there’s any improvement. Just like with sleep aids for adults, these supplements for children might cause a series of side effects. Just because is getting their full hours of sleep, it doesn’t mean it’s quality sleep.