What is Melatonin and when do Babies Develop it?
Melatonin is a natural hormone produced by the body that helps regulate our internal body clock – also known as your circadian rhythm. It is responsible for controlling how and when we feel tired and sleep, and plays an important role in our overall health and wellbeing.
What is the role of Melatonin in Babies?
In babies, melatonin helps regulate their sleep and wake cycles. It is especially important in infants since they are not able to keep their natural body clock in sync with the environment and must rely on melatonin production from their body to aid in their sleep/wake cycles.
When do Babies Develop Melatonin?
Babies begin to produce melatonin shortly after birth. Levels increase gradually and peak during late infancy (1-5 months). After this, melatonin levels drop off significantly and remain relatively low until puberty. It is important to note that premature babies may have lower levels of melatonin production than full-term babies.
What Can Affect the Levels of Melatonin in Babies?
The production and release of melatonin in babies can be affected by a variety of factors. These include:
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- Light exposure – Exposure to light (especially blue-enriched light) can inhibit melatonin production in babies.
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- Noise levels – Excessive noise can disrupt melatonin production and make it hard for infants to settle and sleep.
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- Age – As mentioned above, premature infants may have lower levels of melatonin production.
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- Health – Health conditions such as colic and reflux can interfere with sleep and melatonin production.
Conclusion:
Melatonin is an important hormone for regulating sleep in babies and it begins to be produced shortly after birth. Although melatonin levels peak during late infancy, they can be affected by a variety of external and internal factors such as light exposure, noise levels, age and health. It is therefore important to create ideal environment conditions to ensure that babies can produce and release enough melatonin for good sleep and health.