“Hormone secreted by the epiphysis, which intervenes in particular in the regulation of biological rhythms. “

This is how Larousse defines melatonin. The epiphysis, or pineal gland, is a small growth located in the heart of the brain. Melatonin is therefore secreted naturally. And in large quantities in the evening (which explains why you are more tired at this time, and much less during the day).

“The key enzyme in this synthesis is N-acetyl-transferase (NAT) whose activity is high during the dark phase, which explains the significant nocturnal secretion of the hormone”, adds the National Academy. of Medicine, on Academie-medecine.fr.

One of its main roles is to promote sleep, by signaling to the body the alternation between day and night.

We don’t call it “the sleep hormone” for nothing. Until its 3 months, a baby hardly makes any. This explains the dotted nights of infants.

“Long-haul travel, exposure to screens, age, stress… are factors that can modify the secretion of this hormone and cause insomnia or difficulty falling asleep”, we can read on Lesmiraculaires.com .

Melatonin is therefore naturally produced by the body. It can also be done in laboratories.

It is indeed sold on the shelves of pharmacies. For example, it is unbeatable to fight jet lag. It is also known to allow seniors, whose natural production of melatonin is in free fall, to find better quality nights.

In France, only one drug containing melatonin is marketed. Its name: Circadin 2mg. It is used to treat insomnia in people over 55 years old. Melatonin is also found in the form of a food supplement, such as Miraculous® or in masterly preparations.

Although it currently enjoys good word of mouth, melatonin is still not recommended for certain categories of the population.

In an opinion published on April 11, 2018 (cf. Anses.fr), ANSES highlights the existence of populations or situations at risk for which the consumption of melatonin in the form of a food supplement should be avoided or subjected to opinion of a doctor.

Children are affected because there is no evidence today that there is no long-term risk for them if they took melatonin. In addition, 90 cases of adverse effects occurring following the intake of food supplements containing melatonin were transmitted to the national nutrivigilance system carried by ANSES. These effects range from general symptoms (headache, dizziness, drowsiness, nightmares, irritability) to neurological disorders (tremors, migraines), including gastroenterological problems (nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain).

“The analysis of the reported cases and the scientific literature leads the agency to recommend to people suffering from inflammatory or autoimmune diseases, to pregnant and breastfeeding women, to children, to adolescents and to people having to carry out an activity requiring vigilance. sustained and may pose a safety problem in case of drowsiness, not to consume melatonin in the form of food supplements. For people with epilepsy, asthma, suffering from mood, behavior or personality disorders or following drug treatment, the consumption of food supplements containing melatonin should be subject to medical advice ”, we can read on Anses.fr.

Finally, “in the absence of sufficient data on the long-term effects of melatonin consumption, the agency recommends limiting the intake of these food supplements to occasional use. “

Melatonin is therefore not recommended in France for children. But a drug on its own could not in any case resolve, in the long term, the sleep disorders observed in this age group.

In order for your child to sleep well, you must first make sure you stick to a routine. In other words, going to bed and getting up at regular times.

The bedtime ritual allows you to gently unwind from the day. Make it as pleasant and calm as possible. Read a story, give a hug, it’s up to you to define the program that will appease Loulou. But no need to play extra time. The ritual should last 5-10 minutes, no more. A kiss, a “good night, sweet dreams, see you tomorrow” and you can leave the room. Room which must be plunged into darkness and silence. Of course, the screens must be turned off at least 1 hour before he goes to bed.

If the sleep disorders persist, it is better to consult, to be sure that his little face when he wakes up does not hide something more serious, such as obstructive sleep apnea.