If children face sleep disorders or get insufficient sleep, melatonin supplements may give relief and act as a possible short-term strategy to achieve quality sleep. Though studies are limited in showing the use of melatonin, some studies on children provide promising evidence of melatonin's effectiveness in initiating sleep.

The recommendations for melatonin for children are still inadequate, whereas some doctors suggest melatonin for children with disturbed sleep patterns. The use of melatonin in children is called "off label," or using a drug not meant for."

When sleep patterns get disturbed, and you don't get the sleep, it's tempting to turn to look for a prescribed solution for relief. If you're looking for a solution, know that melatonin and sleeping pills promote sleep through different mechanisms.