Melatonin: Next Drug for Kids?

We all hear stories about wired and restless children and their equally tired mothers. Some are downright hilarious, while others are horrific. Meanwhile, the problem remains the same. These kids do not rest. 

So what do you do when your kid won’t go to sleep? While there are things like reading, exercise, and bath time before bed, another option has become available in the last decade: melatonin.

It’s a natural hormone, commonly used as a supplement. As obscure as this supplement is, the topic of melatonin is especially polarized and evidence of the benefits is unclear. Naturally, parents are either all for it or totally against it. However, before a viewpoint can be made, it's helpful to be well-informed. 

What is Melatonin?

Melatonin is a hormone that's created and released by the body’s pineal gland. Melatonin helps control your sleep and wake cycles. For example, when it gets dark, your body automatically gets tired. That means your melatonin is being secreted during that time. So when your body gets low on melatonin, your sleep cycle is moderately affected as well. 

With this information in tow, will this be enough to convince parents that melatonin is a harmless supplement that will help their children have a better night's rest? Does the science show enough of the benefits of melatonin? Is it truly as harmless as it sounds?