Herbie Murray
While it may be tempting to give your child a sleeping pill to help them get some rest, it's important to remember that this can be dangerous and is generally not recommended. Sleeping pills are associated with various risks and side effects, and they are not approved for use in children. Even herbal remedies and over-the-counter medications can have unintended consequences and are not always safe for children. Before considering any type of medication, it's crucial to consult your child's doctor and prioritize sleep and lifestyle changes to improve your child's sleep habits.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Risk of overdose | Melatonin was the substance most often cited in calls about children to U.S. poison control centers. Pediatric melatonin overdoses have increased by 530% over the past decade. |
| Lack of regulation | Melatonin supplements are not regulated by the FDA. |
| Side effects | Melatonin can cause bedwetting, drowsiness, headaches, and agitation. |
| Ineffectiveness | Medicine won't necessarily fix a child's sleep problems. |
| Addiction | Some sleeping tablets can be addictive. |
| Unsuitability | Even if a medicine is suitable for adults, it may not be suitable for children. |
| Unknown long-term effects | The side effects of taking melatonin as a child are not fully known. |
| Availability | Melatonin is available over the counter without a prescription. |
| Alternative solutions | Sleep problems can often be addressed through sleep and lifestyle changes, such as playing white noise or adjusting naptime. |
| Professional advice | Parents should consult a doctor or pharmacist about the side effects of sleep medicine and only give their child sleep medicine if a doctor advises them to do so. |
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What You'll Learn
Side effects: drowsiness, confusion, agitation, headaches, bedwetting, and more
While sleeping pills can be effective in treating insomnia and other sleep disorders, they are not recommended for children. The side effects of these medications on children are not yet fully understood, and they can vary from child to child.
Melatonin, a natural sleep aid, has been observed to cause side effects such as drowsiness, bedwetting, headaches, and agitation in children. Drowsiness during the day can impair a child's ability to function normally and may lead to hyperactivity and irritability. Bedwetting, while less of a concern, can still be a significant source of discomfort and embarrassment for a child. Headaches can impact a child's quality of life and their ability to focus on daily tasks and schoolwork. Agitation can manifest as mood changes, with children experiencing increased irritability and challenging behaviour.
Additionally, there is a risk of accidental overdose with melatonin, especially if combined with other medications or substances. It is crucial that parents work closely with a pediatrician when considering the use of melatonin for their children. While it can be a short-term solution, it should be used with caution and under careful medical supervision.
Other sleep aids, such as Benadryl, come with their own set of risks. Benadryl can cause lingering sedative effects, impacting a child's reflexes and motor skills even after they wake up. It can also lead to tolerance, losing its efficacy if taken for multiple consecutive days. While it may help with allergies, it is not recommended or approved as a sleep aid for children due to these potential side effects.
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Risk of overdose
While it is understandable that parents may want to help their children sleep better, it is important to be aware of the risks associated with giving them sleeping pills. One of the most significant risks is the possibility of overdose. Over-the-counter (OTC) medications such as Benadryl (diphenhydramine), which is commonly used as a sleep aid for children, can be dangerous if not used properly. Benadryl is an antihistamine that can cause drowsiness, but it is not approved for use as a children's sleep aid and has several associated risks. Firstly, it can stay in a child's system for up to 16 hours, leading to lingering sedative effects after they wake up. Additionally, children under two should not take Benadryl, as antihistamines can cause life-threatening side effects such as convulsions, rapid heart rate, and decreased consciousness.
Another popular OTC sleep aid is melatonin, a hormone naturally released in response to darkness that signals it is time to sleep. While melatonin can help adults, there are concerns about its use in children. The side effects of melatonin in children are not fully understood, and it is not regulated by the FDA, leading to concerns about purity and dosing. A recent report found that 22 out of 25 gummy melatonin supplements were not labelled correctly and often contained more melatonin than advertised. Melatonin overdoses in children have increased by 530% in the past decade, making it the most common substance cited in calls to US poison control centres involving children.
While a doctor might recommend melatonin for a toddler, the general consensus is that less is more when it comes to giving supplements or medicine to children. The standard dose for young toddlers is typically 0.5 to 1 mg, taken an hour before bedtime. Higher doses of 3 to 10 mg are usually reserved for children with medically-related sleep issues. However, research suggests that increasing the dosage does not necessarily lead to more sleep. Therefore, parents should always start with the lowest possible dose and work closely with their child's pediatrician when considering melatonin or any other sleep aid.
It is worth noting that sleep medicines are rarely used to help children and teenagers in Australia because they can have side effects, and there are alternative approaches to improving sleep. Herbal or 'natural' remedies are available, but there is little evidence of their effectiveness, and they can also have side effects. Instead, parents should first try sleep and lifestyle changes, such as implementing a consistent sleep schedule, playing white noise to block out disturbing sounds, and adjusting naptimes. If these changes do not help, it is best to consult a doctor, especially if the child's sleep problems are affecting their well-being, schoolwork, or relationships.
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Lack of regulation and correct labelling
The use of sleeping pills and sleep aids for children is a complex issue that requires careful consideration. One of the primary concerns is the lack of regulation and proper labelling in the industry.
Firstly, it is important to note that in many places, sleep aids and supplements are not regulated by health authorities. For example, in the United States, melatonin supplements, which are commonly used as sleep aids, are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This means that the safety and efficacy of these products may not have been adequately evaluated for children.
The lack of regulation leads to issues with correct labelling and dosage. A recent report found that out of 25 gummy melatonin supplements, 22 were not labelled correctly and often contained more melatonin than advertised. This is particularly concerning when administering melatonin to children, as the recommended dosage for young children is typically very low, ranging from 0.5 to 1 mg. Higher doses of 3 to 10 mg are usually reserved for children with medically-related sleep issues. The potential for incorrect labelling puts children at risk of accidental overdose, which has been on the rise. Melatonin was the substance most frequently cited in calls to US poison control centres regarding children.
Furthermore, the side effects of melatonin in children are not yet fully understood. Some parents have reported adverse reactions in their children, including bedwetting, drowsiness, headaches, and agitation. While melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone that helps regulate sleep, its artificial supplement form may not have the same benefits without the side effects. It is also important to note that melatonin is not a quick fix for sleep issues. It can take up to a couple of hours to take effect, and increasing the dosage does not necessarily lead to more sleep.
The lack of regulation and correct labelling in the sleep aid industry highlights the importance of consulting a medical professional before giving any sleep medication or supplement to a child. While it may be convenient to purchase over-the-counter sleep aids, it is crucial to discuss their use with a pediatrician or pediatric sleep specialist. This ensures that parents are fully informed about the potential risks and side effects and can administer these products safely and effectively.
In summary, the lack of regulation and correct labelling in the sleep aid industry is a significant concern for parents and healthcare providers. The potential for incorrect dosages and unknown side effects underscores the necessity of medical supervision when giving sleep aids to children. By consulting with medical professionals, parents can make informed decisions about their children's sleep health while minimising potential risks.
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Potential for addiction
Sleep is essential for children's well-being, school performance, and relationships. While parents may be inclined to give their children sleeping pills to address sleep problems, it's crucial to understand the potential for addiction.
Firstly, it's important to note that sleep medicines are rarely used in children and teenagers in some countries because of the potential side effects. Even herbal or "natural" remedies can have unintended consequences. Before considering any form of medication, it's recommended to try sleep and lifestyle changes, such as establishing a consistent sleep schedule, playing white noise to block out disturbing sounds, and adjusting naptime duration.
Secondly, melatonin, a hormone that naturally rises in response to darkness, is often sold over the counter as a sleep aid. However, it is not regulated by the FDA, and there is a risk of accidental overdose. The side effects of melatonin on children are not fully understood, and it can sometimes have the opposite effect, making children hyperactive. Additionally, the purity and dosing of melatonin supplements cannot be assured due to a lack of regulation.
Furthermore, over-the-counter antihistamine medications like Benadryl, commonly used as sleep aids for children, are not approved for this purpose. They can cause tolerance and lose their effectiveness with regular use. Benadryl can also affect REM sleep, preventing children from entering deeper, more restorative stages of sleep. Additionally, antihistamines can have life-threatening side effects in children under two years old, including convulsions, rapid heart rate, and decreased consciousness.
Lastly, it's important to consult a doctor or pediatrician before giving any sleep medication to children. Sleeping pills can be addictive, and they should not be used long-term without medical supervision. Medicine is not always the solution to sleep problems, and behavioral changes are often the preferred approach to improving sleep in children.
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Non-drug treatments are often more effective
Sleep is an essential part of a child's development, and when sleep problems arise, it can be distressing for both the child and the parent. While it may be tempting to reach for an over-the-counter or prescription sleep aid, these medications can have side effects, and in the case of sleeping pills, may even be addictive. Non-drug treatments are often more effective in helping children sleep and can include behavioural strategies, sleep and lifestyle changes, and novel mattress technologies.
In the past, parents would give small children a variety of substances to help them sleep, from Benadryl to brandy or even opium. Today, parents are more likely to turn to over-the-counter melatonin or prescription sleep aids. However, these medications can be too strong for children and may even backfire, making kids hyper. Melatonin, for example, is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in children, and there is no regulation of its purity and dosing. Additionally, melatonin was the substance most often cited in calls to U.S. poison control centres regarding children.
Before considering medication, it is essential to try non-drug treatments first. These can include behavioural strategies such as planned naps and regular sleep-wake schedules, as well as lifestyle changes like improving sleep habits and eating routines. Group-based training of parents in behavioural approaches to manage sleep problems has been found to be effective, particularly in terms of parent-set goals and a parent's sense of efficacy.
Other non-drug treatments that have been found to be effective include white noise, which can help to muffle jarring sounds that might wake up a child, and adjusting nap times to ensure the child is tired at night. A novel mattress technology has also been found to improve sleep onset latency, duration, and efficiency in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
In summary, while it can be tempting to reach for medication to help a child sleep, non-drug treatments are often more effective and should always be tried first. These treatments can include behavioural strategies, sleep and lifestyle changes, and novel technologies, all of which can improve a child's sleep without the potential side effects and risks of medication.
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Frequently asked questions
Sleeping pills are not approved for children and can have serious side effects. Melatonin, for example, is not regulated by the FDA and its side effects on children are not fully known.
Some parents have reported symptoms like bedwetting, drowsiness, headaches, and agitation in their children after taking melatonin. Melatonin was also the substance most often cited in calls about children to U.S. poison control centres.
There are many alternatives to giving your child sleeping pills. Sticking to a predictable sleep schedule, playing white noise, and adjusting your child's bedtime routine and sleep environment can all help to improve their sleep.
If your child is having persistent sleep problems, you should first try sleep and lifestyle changes. If these changes do not help, you should talk to your doctor, especially if your child's sleep problems are affecting their wellbeing or continuing for more than 2-4 weeks.
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