Since the pandemic the rise in melatonin use in children has steadily increased. Pediatricians are seeing more adults giving children melatonin and ever before. This is due to the major sleep disturbances they experienced at the height of the pandemic. However it is becoming more alarming that melatonin use has become an everyday thing instead of a sleep aid to use every once in a while.

Nighttime disturbances in children can be disruptive to a child's daily function and to everyone else in the house. However, it's important to understand that the long-term use of melatonin has not been studied in children. Therefore it is unknown what will happen to children who use melatonin on a daily basis.

Another concern is the risk of melatonin overdose and children. The calls to poison control have risen over the last couple of years due to melatonin overdoses. Part of this is due to the fact that melatonin is packaged and gummies which is very appealing for kids. They think that melatonin is candy and consumer as such. Tablets are less appealing to children and therefore experience less overdosing than the melatonin gummies.

Continue reading to learn more about why overdose of melatonin looks like in children, and what you should do if you suspect that your child has eaten more melatonin and they were intended to.

Sleep apnea is a condition in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. These pauses can disrupt rest and may be alarming for anyone who notices them. There are two main types of sleep apnea: obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and central sleep apnea (CSA). OSA happens when the airway becomes blocked, often because the muscles in the back of the throat relax too much during sleep. People who are overweight, have a wider neck, or are male may be at higher risk for OSA.

CSA is different because the problem is not caused by a blocked airway. Instead, it occurs when the brain does not consistently send the proper signals to the muscles that control breathing. In this article, we’ll focus on central sleep apnea in children and the treatment options that may help.

When trying to figure out how to improve your child's sleep, it's important to consider all aspects of their lives, as they can all have a negative or positive impact on sleep. One aspect that we may not think about much is our child's sleeping environment. 

Their bedroom is more than just a playroom. It's the place where they are getting the most rest. If you would like to transition your child to their own room, or work on how to keep them in their own bed throughout the night, then it's important to create a bedroom environment that fosters improved sleep. This article will talk about bedroom accessories that disrupt children's sleep and what you can do instead. 

The days can get so busy that sometimes you feel like you've gone all day without really talking to your kids or connecting as a family. As kids get older and start participating in extracurricular activities, it can be even harder to find time to connect with them. However, finding time to talk to your kids throughout the day is important. If your kids had a stressful day, or they are anxious about the next day, then bedtime can be a great place to talk about those feelings so they can get a good night of sleep. 

It may also provide you with some solace to know that you were able to spend quality time with your children, and everyone can go to bed on a positive and connected note. Here are some ways to connect with your kids before bed. 

Children diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) often struggle with a lack of attention and overactivity. Do these problems roll over into sleep? Absolutely. Children with ADHD often struggle with sleep issues, from insomnia to other sleep disorders. It's important to treat sleep problems, as this can reduce both sleep disorders and ADHD symptoms. Continue reading to find out more about this connection. 

Children with autism may have trouble sleeping, which can be problematic for both them and the family. Many children with autism experience sleeping issues. When children are diagnosed with autism, parents should monitor sleeping problems that they can share with their physician. Below is more information on how sleep and autism are connected, and what you can do to help. 

The hardest part about having children of different ages is that they are able to do different things based on their age, maturity, school schedules, etc. This can be especially hard for younger children who take pride in feeling older. When it comes to getting adequate sleep, this can definitely be a challenge. Younger children with earlier bedtimes may want to stay up because their siblings can. However, you don't want to hold back the older children because they feel as if they have progressed from their "childhood bedtimes". It's a tough balance, but it's necessary to prioritize the sleep health of the children over their individual desires. Continue reading to find out some great tips for balancing the different sleep schedules. 

Athletes need sleep for optimal performance. Sleep is a time when the body can perform many necessary repairs for athletes to avoid injury and maintain high energy levels. However, the more muscular athletes are, the more their ability to get restful sleep is impaired. Continue reading to find out how sleep and body composition are related. 

School start times vary between elementary, middle, and high school, making it difficult to establish and maintain a consistent schedule for K-12. However, sleep needs change as children develop, and it's important that school start times reflect this. What also needs to be considered when deciding school start times is how they impact parents. Continue reading to learn more about optimal school start times. 

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that impacts your ability to breathe during the night. Although discussed as a part of adult health, children could also be at risk for sleep apnea. It's important that you recognize if your child has sleep apnea and get them the proper help as proper oxygenation and quality sleep is important for their growth and development.