<s>[INST] My 5 year old was having trouble sleeping through the night without nightmares or some sort of fussing. Melatonin was recommended by my neighbor who gives it to her child per a dr. My Mother-in-Law thinks it will give him mental problems and is freaking out. Is melatonin ok? [/INST] Hi,Yes, melatonin is effective in treating sleep disorders in children. Melatonin is a natural hormone secreted in our body to maintain wake-sleep cycle (the "biological clock"). It is found to improve sleep duration, reduce the time it takes to fall asleep and improve the quality of sleep. It may be given to your child thirty minutes before bedtime. Melatonin is generally considered safe in the short-term however it may cause morning drowsiness, bed-wetting, headache, and an increased risk for seizures in children with neurological disorders.Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. Mohammed Taher Ali, General & Family Physician </s>