Summary

In this episode of 'The Sleep Edit', we dig into the topic of sleep supplements for children, specifically focusing on melatonin and magnesium. Melatonin and magnesium (and "calm" and "sleep" gummies in general) have become very popular among tired parents, but what is the actual evidence for these supplements? Are they safe? What do parents need to know? Timestamps 00:00 Introduction and Disclaimer 01:09 Welcome Back to the Sleep Edit 01:21 Melatonin and Magnesium: The Two Big Ms 04:24 Understanding Melatonin 06:14 Melatonin's Effects and Usage 09:45 Melatonin for Children: Considerations and Concerns 21:16 Dosing and Safety of Melatonin 28:15 Melatonin Concerns and Parental Thoughts 29:37 Safety and Alternatives to Melatonin 31:28 Introduction to Magnesium for Sleep 34:49 Magnesium's Role and Benefits 36:39 Challenges in Diagnosing Magnesium Deficiency 38:49 Magnesium Supplementation Studies 39:54 Magnesium for Children: Evidence and Recommendations 47:25 Magnesium Lotions and Creams: Fact or Fiction? 53:33 Final Thoughts and Practical Advice 55:44 Conclusion and Additional Resources Links  Related Videos:  10 Things Parents Should Know About Melatonin  Melatonin: The Effect of Timing Youtube link if you want to see the graphics  Related Articles by Dr. Canapari:  Melatonin for Children: A Guide for Parents A simple melatonin dosing calculator for selecting the correct dose for your child.  Melatonin Overdoses Are on the Rise: What Parents Should Know  Magnesium for Kids’ Sleep: Does It Really Work? The evidence against magnesium sprays and lotions  Scientific Studies & Resources: Pickering et al. (2020) – Magnesium Status and Stress: The Vicious Circle Concept Revisited → https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12123672 Workinger et al. (2018) – Challenges in the Diagnosis of Magnesium Status → https://doi.org/10.3390/nu10091202  NIH Magnesium Fact Sheet for Health Professionals