Why Melatonin is Never the Answer
Aug 25, 2024
Kids need sleep! One of the biggest things that can help kiddos optimize their health and ability to learn is making sure that sleep is prioritized. Sleep is a process that is crucial to the body. Kids need a good night of sleep to be able to:
Learn and process new information: Sleep is rest for the brain, where it can process new information and make space for another day.
Repair Tissue: During sleep, growth hormone is produced, which helps kids to grow strong and healthy.
Detoxify: The brain removes toxins via the glymphatic system during periods of deep sleep.
Balance blood sugar: Cravings are worse after a bad night’s sleep because it throws off blood sugar balance.
Children need a minimum of 10 hours of sleep a night, but sometimes they struggle with getting enough. It might be tempting to turn to melatonin to help them fall asleep,but it comes with some pretty hefty short and long term effects.
Why Melatonin is NEVER the Answer:
The use of melatonin in supplements is associated with mood disturbances (hello, ANGER OUTBURSTS and rage), headaches, dizziness and can cause night terrors, nightmares or other parasomnias. Kiddos who are given melatonin are more likely to wake up feeling groggy and may experience bedwetting. There are better, naturopathic solutions available.
Here are Some FEM-Approved Ways to Help Optimize Sleep!
Morning sunshine and sunshine in general: Getting sunlight in the photoreceptors of the eyes first thing in the morning sets the body’s circadian rhythm for the day, which ensures good sleep at night.
Cut the screen time: Blue screens can fool the brain into thinking it’s daytime and disrupt normal melatonin production. (The melatonin that the body naturally produces is a good thing).
Blue blocking glasses: These can shield the photoreceptors in the eyes from the effects of blue light emitting devices such as TV and phones.
Red light therapy before bed: Red light therapy devices can improve natural drowsiness at bedtime by helping the body to produce less cortisol, a signal that it’s time for sleep.
Magnesium: Magnesium relaxes the muscles and the mind. All kids need it. It can help the body wind down for sleep. Topical magnesium sprays and lotions can help, but may not be enough. Supplemental magnesium glycinate is recommended in the amount appropriate for your child’s age.
Embrace a “wind-down” routine: This might include a salty soak, hamstring stretches or massage, back tracing and reading. Think of a relaxing routine that preps the body for rest.
Supportive Supplements: Have a readily available stash of night time remedies handy for age appropriate self-administration: FES Flora Night Spray, Rescue Remedy, Magnesium Spray, Sleepy Nights Herbal Tincture and Lavender Essential Oil.
This is how we ensure good sleep inside of Fiercely Empowered Mama (FEM). Reaching for holistic strategies to support the body always trumps over-the-counter quick fixes. Are you ready to become a FEM in 2025? Get on the waitlist here so you can receive exclusive price offerings and bonuses.
Stay connected with news and updates!
Join our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates from our team.
Don't worry, your information will not be shared.
We hate SPAM. We will never sell your information, for any reason.
