Melatonin is a hormone that’s produced naturally in the body. It helps to regulate sleep and circadian rhythms. Melatonin also occurs naturally in nighttime breast milk and is passed from a nursing mother to her breastfed infant.
There is also a synthetic form of melatonin that is used as an alternative to sleeping pills.
Melatonin supplements are sold under the brand names Circadian Adaflex, Ceyesto, Slenyto and Syncrodin. They may be prescribed by a doctor or available over the counter to certain individuals.
If you’re a sleep deprived mother of a baby, firstly, you are not alone. Secondly, you might wonder whether taking melatonin supplements will help you get a good night’s sleep.
This article discusses whether it safe to take melatonin while breastfeeding.
What is melatonin and how it works?
Melatonin works by binding to receptors in your brain that make you feel drowsy and ready for bed. As night falls and it gets dark outside, your body produces more melatonin, making you feel tired. In the morning, melatonin levels drop and you feel alert again.
Supplemental melatonin provides an additional boost to what your body produces naturally. It can:
- Help you fall asleep faster
- Increase total sleep time
- Improve sleep quality
While melatonin is considered very safe for short-term use, little is known about the effects of long-term use or high doses.
Is taking melatonin while breastfeeding safe?
Information provided by the Drugs and Lactation database LactMed states that no data exists on the safety of melatonin use in mothers who are breastfeeding. Due to the lack of available data on the use of melatonin while breastfeeding, some recommend against its use during lactation. This applies particularly to mothers of babies born prematurely.
It’s also worth noting that to be approved by the FDA, a dietary supplement does not need to have its safety or effectiveness certified. This means that a supplement that is marketed as being safe might not be entirely safe for certain individuals.
The UK’s National Health Service (NHS) advises that although some melatonin will pass into your breast milk, the exact amount is unknown. For short term use of melatonin in breastfeeding women, research suggests that the amount passed to the breastfed baby is likely to be a small enough not cause any harm. Further research is required regarding the safety of taking it long term while breastfeeding.
Talk to your healthcare provider if you are unsure about whether you should take melatonin while breastfeeding.
How much melatonin is safe to take while breastfeeding?
LactMed suggests that if a breastfeeding mother takes melatonin supplements at the recommended dose in the evening, as directed by her healthcare provider, it would be unlikely to have any adverse effects on her breastfed baby.
In a study where oral melatonin was administered to breastfeeding mothers, the average increase in breast milk melatonin was 0.4 to 1 microgram per litre for each 1 milligram of maternal melatonin supplement.
The results show that babies would receive a higher dose of melatonin in the mother’s milk than they would if she not been supplemented. However, it was a considerably lower amount of melatonin than the amount that has been used safely in neonates in clinical studies.
Melatonin Levels in Breast Milk
Studies show that melatonin taken by mothers does enter breast milk, but in fairly small amounts that are unlikely to negatively impact a nursing infant. Melatonin has a short half-life, so levels in breast milk will decrease quickly as it’s metabolized in your body.
What Are The Possible Side Effects for Baby?
While drowsiness is possible, no major side effects have been reported in breastfed babies whose mothers took melatonin. However, as with any medication, there is a need to watch your baby closely for changes in sleeping or eating patterns just to be safe. It’s also a good idea to time your melatonin dose after a feeding so the highest concentrations in your milk will occur when your baby is less likely to nurse.
Does melatonin in breast milk make babies sleepy?
The naturally occurring melatonin in breast milk is designed to help breastfed babies sleep. According to the NHS, taking melatonin for extended periods of time may cause drowsiness in some babies.
Interestingly, melatonin concentrations in human breast milk are naturally higher at nighttime than melatonin levels in daytime breast milk. In studies conducted on melatonin levels in breast milk samples, all mothers showed a distinct circadian rhythm of melatonin excretion that was highest in the early evening and dropped to undetectable levels by the morning.
You can read more about this in BellyBelly’s article 3 Facts About Circadian Rhythm Of Breastmilk Components.
If you are a breastfeeding mother who is taking melatonin, seek advice from your healthcare provider in the following circumstances:
- Your baby seems excessively drowsy or is not waking for feeds.
- Your baby is not feeding efficiently.
- You have any other concerns about your baby’s health.
It is recommended not to share a bed with your baby if you are taking melatonin.
For safe co-sleeping recommendations, you can read BellyBelly’s article Co-Sleeping With Baby – Safe Co-Sleeping Tips.
Is melatonin linked to SIDS?
Numerous studies suggest that the pathophysiological mechanisms of SIDS are multifactorial. That means there are possibly various factors involved.
Specific studies that have analysed the link between melatonin and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) have found that the expression of melatonin and serotonin receptors were statistically lower in babies who died from SIDS than babies who died from other causes. Studies like these have the potential for future predictive diagnosis and prevention of SIDS. At this stage, there is not enough data to suggest that taking melatonin can prevent SIDS.
For more information about SIDS prevention, you can read BellyBelly’s article SIDS Prevention – 6 Ways To Reduce The Risk
Are other sleeping pills safe while breastfeeding?
For most pharmacological sleeping aids, limited data is available on the effects during lactation. For this reason, many health experts suggest that breastfeeding mothers use nonpharmacological methods whenever possible.
Having trouble sleeping is common for women in the final weeks of their pregnancy and the early stages of the postpartum period. For some women, insomnia can be symptom of postpartum depression.
If you think you could have postpartum depression, seek support from your doctor, who will offer advice and referrals to relevant health professionals to assist your recovery.
Alternatives to melatonin while breastfeeding
Instead of melatonin, there are some natural alternatives breastfeeding mothers can try to encourage better sleep.
Limit Caffeine and Blue Light
Cutting back on caffeine, especially in the afternoon and evening, can help you feel drowsy at night. Caffeine stays in your system for up to 6 hours and can disrupt your sleep-wake cycle.
Likewise, avoid looking at bright screens from phones, tablets and TVs for 1-2 hours before bed. The blue light they emit tricks your brain into thinking it’s daytime.
Establish a Calming Routine
A relaxing pre-bed routine can be very soothing and help you unwind. Some ideas include:
- Taking a warm bath
- Doing light stretches
- Reading a book
- Listening to calming music
Sticking to a consistent routine will signal your body that it’s time to sleep.
Drinking Warm Milk or Water
Warm milk contains tryptophan, an amino acid that can make you drowsy. The warmth is also comforting and relaxing. For an extra soothing effect, you can add a bit of honey.
Practice Relaxation Techniques
Deep breathing, meditation, or gentle yoga are excellent ways to release any tension and calm your mind. As little as 10-15 minutes a day can make a big difference in your sleep quality and quantity.
Using natural remedies and making lifestyle changes may take some experimenting to find what works best for your situation. Be patient through the process and avoid getting discouraged. With time, you’ll establish an effective pre-sleep routine so you and your little one can both get the rest you need.
For further information, you can read BellyBelly’s article Postpartum Depression Symptoms | 9 Signs You Have PPD.
