<s>[INST] My wife is wanting to give my 9 year old son Melatonin (3mg) to help him sleep. All I have read about melatonin is that it should not be given to children under 18. It says it can cause nightmares, seizures, and other side effects. I feel a different method needs to be approached and not use melatonin because of these side effects. Is it safe for my son to take this? [/INST] Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service.I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.If you give proper dosage for short period then side effects will not appear. Every remedy has negative effects. If I were your treating Doctor for this case of sleeplessness, I would come up with usual possibilities.- Hot milk with honey before sleep- Don't sit before computer- Don't watch TV 1 to 2 hour before sleep- Walking outside for 2 hours in the evening- Fresh cool room- Aurvedic remedy - Ashwagandha 1 capsule in the evening for 1 monthStart on these changes and get back to me in 2 to 3 months.Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.Regards,Dr. Svetlana Shrivastva </s>