Hiya Bedtime Essentials is a new, zero-melatonin supplement suitable for kids ages 2+.
My family has been die-hard fans of Hiya’s vitamins for years, so when I saw they came out with a melatonin alternative, it definitely caught my attention.
We frequently use melatonin supplements with our kids, but we’ve never felt awesome about it. I trust Hiya’s formulations, so I decided to dive in and see if this nighttime aid is worth the money.
Disclaimer: Hiya sent me these Bedtime Essentials to test out and review, but this review is not sponsored. Also, the content on this site is not meant to replace professional medical advice. It’s important to consult your doctor or a qualified healthcare provider for any concerns regarding medical conditions, treatments, or starting a new healthcare routine.
What’s Unique About Hiya Bedtime Essentials for Kids?
Hiya has shown me time and time again that they base their formulas on research and what’s actually best for kids, so I really trust them.
And these bedtime essentials are no different.
No Melatonin
I always thought melatonin and nighttime supplements went hand in hand. But melatonin and kids’ safety is a bit of a gray area since the FDA doesn’t regulate dietary supplements.
Some studies suggest short-term, low-dose use of melatonin with kids might be okay, but long-term use could be bad for development, especially around the puberty years.
Plus, it can lead to daytime drowsiness and more trips to the bathroom at night – not exactly ideal for a sleep aid.
It’s pretty widely accepted that melatonin should not be a permanent solution to better sleep.
The official stance of The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is parents should talk with their pediatrician before their child takes melatonin supplements, and if you do decide to use it, you should start with a low dose.
Here’s what the Founders behind Hiya have to say:
“Over the last decade, the number of pediatric ingestions of melatonin reported to poison control centers increased by more than 530 percent. While many of these situations were innocuous, about ten percent led to treatment at healthcare facilities. Additionally, many experts are asking increasing questions about melatonin and puberty. Our view is unless melatonin is prescribed by a pediatrician, melatonin among kids should be far less common than it is.”
–Darren Litt and Adam Gillman, Founders of Hiya
Now, do they work as well as the melatonin gummies we’ve tried in the past?
I’ll be honest: they don’t. But they do help.
The melatonin supplements we’ve tried seem to knock my kids out within an hour, whereas the Hiya ones help them wind down more than anything.
I’ve also noticed they wake up way less in the middle of the night, which can be quite common without a nightly supplement.
Chewable Tablets vs. Gummies
I used to be dead set against gummies because my niece choked on one once, making me extremely nervous.
We’ve since tried several different gummy vitamins, and I’ve decided that not all gummies are horrible, and some are pretty easy to chew/dissolve.
That said, I’d still prefer a chewable like Hiya.
Plus, the idea of my kids having a gummy right before bed and getting it stuck in their teeth overnight isn’t exactly ideal.
Zero Added Sugar
Zero sugar is a consistent theme with Hiya, and it’s especially comforting to see in a bedtime vitamin.
Adding sugar to something that’s supposed to help kids sleep seems counterintuitive to me.
Hiya sweetens all of their products with the following:
- Monk fruit extract, a superfruit sweetener
- Mannitol, a sweetener found in pumpkins and strawberries
Good For Ages 2+
Most nighttime supplements for kids with melatonin start at age 3 or 4+.
But Hiya Bedtime Essentials, like their multivitamins, can be given to kids ages 2 and up.
There are other non-melatonin options out there that are also good from age 2, but they don’t stack up as well as Hiya for other reasons. More on that later.
Eco-Friendly Packaging and Refills
All 3 of the Hiya products – the multivitamin, the probiotics, and the bedtime essentials – come in reusable glass bottles.
And it’s a subscription model, so you get a refill pouch each month, and that pouch is also plastic-free.
The bottles for the different products come in 3 different colors, so if you have all three, you won’t get them confused.
They also come with a cute sticker pack – your kids will love decorating the bottle.
Related:
- Don’t Buy Hiya Kids Multivitamins Until You Read This Review
- Hiya Probiotics Review: Is It the Best Probiotic for Toddlers?
Hiya Bedtime Essentials Ingredients
The active ingredients in the Hiya Bedtime Essentials are all about supporting sleep and giving the body a good reboot from the time kids start winding down to the time they wake up.
That includes:
- Vitamin B6: key vitamin known to support brain restoration in kids
- Choline: improves REM sleep
- Calcium: helps your brain create melatonin
- Magnesium: relaxes the nervous system and your muscles
- L-theanine: amino acid known to support calm and relaxation
- GABA: helps your body and mind to relax to fall asleep and stay asleep
- Chamomile flower extract: induces sleep
If you give your kids multivitamins and probiotics daily like I do, you don’t have to worry about over-supplementation because Hiya has specifically formulated all three of their products to complement each other.
For the most part, they have completely different vitamins and minerals in them.
Calcium is the only overlap, which is in both the multivitamins and the bedtime essentials.
Hiya Bedtime Essentials vs. Other Kids’ Nighttime Supplements
Hiya’s no melatonin formula is what sets them apart from a lot of the popular kids’ nighttime supplements like Olly, Smarty Pants, and Hello Bello.
But there are some other melatonin-free options out there, so I want to compare apples to apples.
Here’s a quick comparison of some non-melatonin supplement options:
Brand | Added sugar | Serving size | Age range | Texture |
|---|---|---|---|---|
0g | 1 tablet | 2+ | Chewable tablets | |
2-4g | 1-2 gummies | 3-12 | Gummies | |
0g | 1-2 gummies | 2-13 | Gummies | |
2-4g | 5-10 mL | 2-12 | Syrup | |
0g | 2 tablets | 3-11 | Chewable tablets |
Mary Ruth’s seems like it would be a good budget-friendly alternative at about $20 per bottle, which could give you up to a 2-month supply. But they are gummies, so they come with all the gummy junk.
Zarbee’s non-melatonin options come in gummies or syrup, and they also have options with melatonin. But there are added sugars, which is not ideal, especially before bedtime.
The Genexa Sleepology Tablets also look good, but you can’t use them until age 3, and you have to take 2. I’m also not sure that my kids would like its vanilla lavender flavor.
Hiya Bedtime Essentials FAQs
Does Hiya have melatonin?
Hiya’s nighttime supplements do not have melatonin. There are increasing questions and concerns around potential health issues associated with melatonin and kids. That’s why Hiya focuses on seven core essentials that support good, restful sleep.
Which vitamins help kids sleep?
Hiya Bedtime Essentials is a great, high-quality supplement that can help your kids wind down at bedtime to get a restful sleep through the night.
What can I give my kid to sleep at night?
To get kids to sleep at night, many parents turn to melatonin sleep aids. However, non-melatonin options like Hiya Kids Bedtime Essentials pose less of a dependency risk.
What can I use instead of melatonin for kids?
Instead of using melatonin with your kids, look for supplements with sleep-supporting ingredients like L-theanine, GABA, or chamomile flower extract. Other ways to support nighttime sleep include the same bedtime every night, a dark room, and limited screen time at night.
Why is melatonin not recommended for kids?
Melatonin is not recommended for kids because some studies show it can be habit-forming. Long-term use may not be suitable for child development, especially around the puberty years. Melatonin has also been found to cause daytime drowsiness and increased urination at night.
Is it OK to give kids sleep gummies?
The jury is still out on whether it’s OK to give kids sleep gummies. If the gummies include melatonin, they may pose risks like issues with development. Non-melatonin sleep gummies or supplements like the new tablets from Hiya are a much better option to support nighttime sleep.
Can kids take melatonin every night?
Kids should not take melatonin every night, especially as a long-term habit. Talk to your pediatrician to decide if melatonin is a safe option for your child. There are non-melatonin supplements on the market that may be a much safer, long-term solution.
What are children’s melatonin gummies side effects?
Some common side effects of children’s melatonin gummies are daytime drowsiness and increased urination at night. Worse, long-term use may cause delayed puberty or lead to premature sexual development. Many gummies also have added sugar, which can contribute to cavities.
What are some safe alternatives to melatonin for child?
Safe alternatives to melatonin for a child include chamomile flower extract, L-theanine, GABA, and lemon balm leaf extract. You can find these non-melatonin ingredients in nighttime supplements from brands like Hiya or Mary Ruth’s.
Conclusion
If you want a high-quality, melatonin-free sleep supplement for your kids, Hiya takes the cake.
I don’t think I’ll be throwing out the melatonin options we have just yet. They’re a godsend when we go on vacation and our sleep schedules are out the window.
But I feel so much better about using the new Hiya Bedtime Essentials for daily, long-term use.
These will be a part of our nightly routine for a long time!
