Melatonin is a hormone produced naturally by the body each evening that signals to the brain that it is time to sleep, rising through the night and falling during the day.
Melatonin is a hormone that occurs naturally in the body. According to the NHS, "at night, your levels of melatonin rise, before returning to normal during the day," and this pattern "helps to control how and when you sleep." It is produced by the pineal gland in the brain, with levels rising as light fades in the evening and falling again in the morning when light suppresses its release.
What role does melatonin play in infant sleep?
Newborns receive melatonin via the placenta and through breast milk during pregnancy and early infancy, but do not produce their own melatonin in a regular daily pattern at birth. According to a review published through the US National Institutes of Health (NIH), endogenous melatonin production — which is described as "critical to the permanent establishment of circadian rhythms" — begins to emerge at around three months of age. This is consistent with the period during which infants' sleep gradually becomes more aligned with the day-night cycle.
Is melatonin prescribed for children?
In the UK, melatonin is a prescription-only medicine. The NHS states that it is "mainly used to treat short-term sleep problems" and that it "can also sometimes be prescribed by specialists to help with longer-term sleep problems in some children and adults." It is not licensed for use in infants without specialist involvement.
How does synthetic melatonin work?
The NHS explains that synthetic melatonin works by adding to "your body's natural supply of melatonin, so you fall asleep more quickly and you're less likely to wake up during the night." It typically takes around one to two hours to take effect.
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