3 Daycare workers were arrested in Illinois after allegedly giving their class of 2-year olds melatonin gummy bears to help them sleep during naptime, CBS Chicago reported. They reportedly admitted to giving their students sleep supplements without parental consent because they thought they were safe since they were over the counter. They daycare owner became suspicious when she found a 120 count bottle almost empty (with only 4 left) and called the police.
There are several reasons why it was a flawed idea besides the obvious reason being that they did not have parental permission to give their students drugs or supplements.
What we know about Melatonin supplements
Melatonin is sold over the counter and is most commonly used to: help decrease jet lag, adjust sleep cycles in the blind, treat shift-work sleep disorders, and for general insomnias. According to drugs.com taking melatonin right before sleep may not be the best strategy for all sleep disorders, which is why it is best taken under the care of a doctor. It also states: before using melatonin, talk to your healthcare provider as you may not be able to use this medication if you have the following medical conditions: diabetes, depression, bleeding or clotting disorder, taking a blood thinner, high or low blood pressure, epilepsy or other seizure disorders, if you are using medication to prevent an organ transplant disorder, have an autoimmune condition, or if you are using other sedatives or tranquilizers. And drugs.com clearly shares: do not give any herbal/health supplement to a child without medical advice.
Melatonin for Children
Now we get to what we know about melatonin for children. As mentioned earlier it should only be given to children under the care of a doctor or sleep specialist. Melatonin should not be used as a substitute for good sleep hygiene or consistent bedtime routines in children. Long-term use of melatonin has not been studied in children and the possible side effects with prolonged use are unknown. Most common side effects in children: bedwetting, headache, dizziness, nausea, diarrhea, and an increased risk of seizures.
And most importantly, melatonin has NOT been approved by the FDA for any use as it falls under the FDA’s Dietary Health and Education Act as a dietary supplement. And, not all over the counter dietary supplements are verified as safe; only those with the label USP.
From left, Ashley Helfenbein, Jessica Heyse and Kristen Lauletta, are accused of giving kids melatonin gummies before nap time. (DES PLAINES POLICE DEPARTMENT)
Not The Brightest Idea
With all of this being said; NO it was not a good idea to have given children a dietary supplement because; 1) they did not have parental permission, 2) it should not be taken unless under the care of the doctor, 3) it has many side effects and 4) it may not have been a “safe” dietary supplement. Hopefully, these 3 ladies can understand the consequences of their actions. And we hope no 2-year old’s involved experience bad side effects because of daycare workers’ lack of judgement.
