Melatonin is a hormone released mainly in darkness that signals to the body that it is night-time and helps regulate sleep. Babies begin producing melatonin in a regular daily rhythm at around 2 to 3 months.
Key takeaways
- Light at night suppresses melatonin; darkness helps release it.
- Breast milk contains more melatonin at night than during the day.
- Melatonin supplements are not recommended for babies unless prescribed by a doctor.
What you can do
- Keep evenings dim and nights dark.
- Let your baby see daylight during the day to set the body clock.
