Depends on your child's age and tolerance. Mine take 5 mg extended release, but they are teens. They started out with 3 mg. That extended release helps them STAY asleep, not just fall asleep. The problem with Melatonin is that it can wear off in 4 hours, but the ER is an 8 hour dose.

We use melatonin with GREAT results. If its a really bad day (or we are at a hotel or something like that) the we use clonidine. The clonidine makes him sleep hard all night long while the melatonin helps him fall asleep but doesn't help him stay asleep.

We use 3 mg of melatonin. Its an all natural supplement and my son loves it. Without it he says he "can't get his brain to shut down" and no matter how physically tired he his... he can't go to sleep without it.

MELATONIN. Count me in. They started my older two on CLONIDINE, but I didn't like the fact that it affects the heart. When they offered me the switch, I jumped at it. IF your child can take pills, try the extended release tabs. Melatonin can wear off in 4 hours, but the ER tabs work all night.

Dosage depends on the weight of your child. Check with your physician. They'll tell you. I've had a recommendation of 1-3 mg for my kids.