Although the use of melatonin appears to have worked in several studies for kids with sleep disorders, proceed with caution. Common side effects include body temperature reduction and tachycardia! In my opinion, this should only be a last resort treatment, and even then, I would get a 2nd medical opinion!

While it’s possible your toddler may have what can be classified as a sleep disorder, run through this checklist:

1. Try a nightly ritual of telling him a bedtime story or a lullaby! This works wonders for all children; it lets them know it’s time for beddy-bye and they end up looking forward to going to sleep once you get into a good, nightly groove!

2. Try using a white noise maker instead of soft music. The soft music may be overstimulating him.

Many times, parents find a combination of bedtime stories/lullabies and a white noise maker are all they need to help their toddlers sleep consistently well through the night. It works really well for us adults, too!

3. Is the temperature in the house comfortable enough for sleep? Dress your little boy in single-layer long sleeve, long pants pajamas and shoot for 65-70 degrees on your thermostat.

4. Keep his room very dark and keep using those night lights. If his room at night is really dark, his body will probably produce enough melatonin by itself!

5. Here’s one that parents swear by:

Toddlers usually wake up several times at night because they’re simply afraid to sleep alone.

After tucking your toddler in with a bedtime story or lullaby, come back and re-tuck him every five minutes or so for the first thirty minutes. This will give him a sense of comfort knowing you’re nearby.

Gradually make the nightly trips to re-tuck your toddler in longer intervals, say every 10 minutes, then every 15 minutes, and so on for about an hour.

Hope this helps, and please write back; let us know WHEN you do solve your little angel’s problem so we can all benefit!