Guide to 5 Popular Natural Sleep Aids for Children
You’ve done all that sleep habits stuff to make your child go to sleep or stay asleep. Nothing worked. Now you’re desperate enough to try some natural sleep aids for children but you don’t know where to begin. There are more natural sleep aids in the stores than there are prescription sleeping pills. Here’s a fast and easy guide to 5 popular natural sleep aids for children.
1. Melatonin
What is melatonin?
It’s a hormone secreted from the pineal gland in our brain. Thought to help our bodies’ sleep-wake cycle i.e when it’s time to go to sleep and when it’s time to wake up. Melatonin decreases the time it takes to fall asleep (“sleep latency”), and may increase the duration of sleep.
Melatonin Fast Facts
- The most popular natural sleep aid for helping adults with jet lag or effects of shift work
- Also popularly used as a sleep aid for children, more than 20 studies have shown that melatonin helps children with insomnia to fall asleep quickly
- Side effects: daytime drowsiness headaches, dizziness, a “heavy-head” feeling, stomach discomfort
- Safe with short-term use (three months or less) as concluded by the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (2005)
- Dosage should not exceed 3 milligrams and it’s not recommended by healthcare professionals to give to kids younger than 10.
- Being a popular OTC sleep aid, pharmaceutical grade synthetic form is available in many brands; AVOID natural forms that are basically melatonin derived from animal’s pineal glands due to possible contamination
- It must be noted however, nearly all studies of melatonin were on “special needs” children i.e. autism, other development disabilities, blind. Their bodies either don’t produce melatonin or do so only erratically.
- 15% of pediatricians still recommend melatonin as a sleep aid for children with insomnia, according to the medical journal Pediatrics (2002)
Before Using Melatonin As A Children Sleep Aid: -discuss with your pediatrician to rule out medical reasons for insomnia, such as breathing difficulties or behavioral conditions such as attention-deficit disorder – parents should first try techniques to change the child’s sleep behavior
2. Chamomile (Matricaria recutita)
What is chamomile? It’s one of nature’s oldest herbal sleep aid used for centuries. It is also one of the gentlest herbs making it so popular as a children sleep aid. The active ingredients are flavonoids namely, chrysin and apigenin, believed to reduce restlessness helping one feel more relaxed and more prepared to sleep.
- It also has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. That’s why it’s also popularly used in cases of stomach irritation.
- Safe for both adults and children. It does not lead to dependency and has not been shown to have any side effects. However, it may cause allergic reactions in people who have plant or pollen allergies.
- Most often drunk as a tea, which has a mild, pleasant flavor. Also available for internal use in capsule or tincture form
- Known as a ‘plant doctor’ stimulating the health of other plants, you will find it popularly combined with other herbs to make standardized herbal remedies.However, this also means you have to use with caution if your child is on other drug therapies. It may increase the effects of other sleep aids.
3. Valerian (Valeriana officinalis)
What is valerian?
- A herbal sleep aid that is also one of the top 3 popular OTC sleep aids for children. Its active ingredient is still unclear therefore how it works is unclear too.
- Generally thought to help reduce the time to get to sleep and possibly improve sleep quality.
- It also eases nervous tension, muscle tension and anxiety
- Generally safe when taken in recommended dosages. However, high doses of valerian can cause nausea, headaches, dizziness, vivid dreams, weakened heartbeat and even paralysis.
- It works well in combination with other sedative herbs. Valerian and lemon balm preparation is the most popular combo sleep aid for children since a study done in Germany showed fast and significant improvement for children under 12 with restlessness or dyssomnia (sleep disorder).
4. Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)
What is lemon balm?
It’s an aromatic mint plant recognized by European herbalists for its ability to help induce sleep and ease nervousness. In Germany, lemon balm preparations have been approved for treatment of nervous insomnia.
- It also protects the gastrointestinal tract against ulcers. Therefore, lemon balm is a popular remedy for insomnia accompanied by a nervous stomach.
- Taken as a tea, lemon balm is quite tasty.
- When used as a sleep aid for children, the dosage according to the German study are valerian and lemon balm tablets with 160 mg of valerian root dry extract and 80 mg of lemon balm leaf dry extract.
- It is not associated with any toxicity or side effects.
5. Passion flower (Passiflora incarnata)
What is passion flower?
This herb, used by the Aztecs as a sedative, helps relax the mind and body to induce restful sleep. The active ingredient, harmine, and related compounds help inhibit the breakdown of serotonin. It also contains chrysin, the same flavonoid found in chamomile. It is an especially helpful sleep aid for sleep disorders caused by chronic pain, muscle conditions and anxiety.
- Taken as a tea, tincture or as capsules.
- Safe for use as either a sleep aid for children or adults. However, because the most common side effect of passion flower is drowsiness, don’t take it unless you plan to sleep for while.
Now that you know these 5 natural sleep aids for children, always consult a licensed healthcare provider first if you are thinking of using any of them for your child. Also, you should tell your healthcare provider about all of the supplements and medication your child may be taking so that he can evaluate any potential drug-supplement interactions.
It’s not easy to find appropriate supplement brands for these 5 popular natural sleep aids for children. The supplies are usually in adult dosage or in different combinations not according to the studies for children sleep aids.
About the Author
Find out what’s available on the market in this compiled list of Natural Sleep Aids For Children
This information is brought to you by OTC Sleep Aids.com
♫SLEEPING AID: HELPS YOU RELAX AND FALL ASLEEP♫
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Emergency Mylar Thermal Blankets (Pack of 10) $0.68 Disposable rescue blanket keeps in body heat and preserves body temperature. Measures 64 x 74”. Small enough to fit in most first aid kits…. |
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Howard Leight MAX1 Earplugs Uncorded NRR33 Box/200 Count $17.99 Howard Leight Max pre-shaped foam earplugs feature a smooth outer skin for maximum user comfort. The smooth, soil resistant skin helps prevent dirt from penetrating the surface prior to insertion.These ear plugs have a 33 Noise Reduction Rating (NRR 33), the highest certified protection rating measured and are available in both corded and non-corded styles. … |
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Uvex S1933X Skyper Safety Eyewear, Black Frame, SCT-Orange UV Extreme Anti-Fog Lens $6.60 … |
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Spitting Image $1.99 … |
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Ambient Sleep DVD: Ultimate Sleep Aid DVD $10.47 Studio: Kc Sales Release Date: 03/17/2004… |
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Science and Sleep (Home Use) $24.95 Part of the award winning public television series Healthy Body/Healthy Mind. While the necessities of life are food, water, and shelter, many forget that sleep is just as important to survival. Humans spend one third of their lives sleeping, but when something disrupts the ability to sleep, quality of life suffers. It’s estimated that 50-70 million Americans don’t get enough sleep on a daily basi… |
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Stop Snoring Mouth Piece – Anti Snore Oral Mouthpiece Sleep Solution $19.95 The Snore-Ex anti-snoring mouthpiece was created by Tri Point LabsTM to help eliminate snoring and improve your sleep. The mouthpiece is molded right in your own home and only takes a few moments to prepare. Simple step-by-step instructions are provided to ensure that each mouthpiece is molded correctly for a comfortable and lasting fit. The initial molding process will shape the mouthpiece by ta… |
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Sound Conditioner Sound Screen SleepMate Electro-Mechanical White Noise Machine This Sleep Mate Sound Conditioner product produces the sounds of nature and surround you with an environment of “conditioned” sound. Are loud neighbors, your spouse’s snoring or other irritating noises keeping you awake at night? This is no longer a problem when you have this noise sleep machine. These sleep machine devices employ the latest technology to create soothing, natural sounds that effec… |
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Dream Essentials Sweet Dreams Contoured Sleep Mask with Earplugs and Carry Pouch, Black $8.95 Light as a feather, slim-line and very stylish, the Sweet Dreams Sleep and Relaxation Mask is a molded contoured sleep aid that offers full comfort without any pressure to the eyes. Mask features concave eye pockets to keep the sleep mask away from your eyes and allow for normal blinking and air circulation. Conveniently folds up into a complimentary 4 x 6 satin drawstring pouch with a pair of sof… |
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Neuro Nutritional Supplement Drink, Sleep, 14.5-Ounce Bottles (Pack of 12) $30.00 NeuroSleep is a delicious drink formulated with ingredients to help promote restful sleep. Each ingredient contained in NeuroSleep plays a unique role in the sleep cycle. Melatonin, which is found naturally in tart cherries but also produced in the body, serves as the primary ingredient to promote restful sleep. Additionally, NeuroSleep provides 5-HTP, an ingredient structurally similar to the ami… |
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Grandma’s Herbs Sleep Aide $9.99 Without a good night’s sleep you can feel vulnerable to the effects of stress Grandma’s Herbs sleep aide is designed to help you get the sleep you needThis dietary supplement has helped many find the deep sleep we all desire |
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Wedged Sleep Aid for Heartburn and Acid Reflux $44.54 Relieve nighttime suffering of acid reflux and heart burn with this Wedged Sleep Aid. This pillow is also a great pregnancy pillow. |
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Natrol Melatonin Timed-release Sleep Aid Pills (Pack of 5 90-count Bottles) $21.99 Melatonin Nighttime Sleep Aid promotes normal sleep patternsNatrol timed-release tablets are a 100-percent vegetarian and drug-freeNutritional supplements can restore your body, boost your immune system and help in other ways |
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Natrol Melatonin 5mg Pills (Pack of 4 60-count Bottles) $21.49 Drug-free, 100-percent vegetarian sleep aid for relief of occasional sleeplessnessMelatonin helps establish normal sleep patterns to promote better overall healthSleep aid helps boost your immune system |
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Natrol Melatonin 1mg Pills (Pack of 3 180-count Bottles) $20.99 Time released melatonin with promotes normal sleep patternsSupplements help restore your body with a good night’s restMelatonin is a drug-free sleep aid |
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Natrol Melatonin 3mg Pills (Pack of 3 120-count Bottles) $26.99 Melatonin with vitamin B6 promotes normal sleep patternsSupplements help you get a good night’s sleepNatural sleep aid promotes a healthy immune system |
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Natrol Melatonin Timed Release 3mg Pills (Pack of 4 100-count Bottles) $19.99 Time released melatonin with vitamin B6 promotes normal sleep patternsSupplements help restore your body with a good night’s restMelatonin is a drug-free sleep aid |