When my kids, Bella (2 ½) and Caleb (4 ½), each turned 2, bedtime became a real struggle. And now, after their combined evening routines, bedtime stories, and endless negotiations, it’s a miracle if they both fall—and stay—asleep.

So, I began to research kids’ sleep aids. I wanted to find something that was safe, not packed with sugar, and could help them wind down naturally. With the help of pediatric dietitian Rachel Rothman (MS, RD, CLEC), I reviewed 5 top brands: Hiya, SmartyPants, Olly, Zarbee’s, and L'il Critters.

Follow along for our experience, and to find out why Hiya Bedtime Essentials emerged as our clear winner!

‍

‍

‍

Should Kids Take Melatonin?

Although I’ve used melatonin tablets to help myself fall asleep in the past, I wasn’t sure about using it for kids. After doing some research, I found out that melatonin is not safe for my toddlers.

In 2022, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine warned parents against the routine use of melatonin in children, citing reports of overdose, calls to poison control, and ER visits. (1) “There’s also some evidence that long-term use of melatonin (a hormone) can impact development and puberty in children,” says Rothman, our pediatric dietician.

Scratch Olly and SmartyPants off the list! To me, the risks of melatonin are just too high.

‍

‍

The Safest & Most Effective: Hiya Bedtime Essentials Wins

Looking at ingredients, there is no question that Hiya is the safest and most effective option for kids’ sleep aids.

‍

Hiya is the only supplement reviewed that contains both chamomile and magnesium. That combo naturally calms the body and prepares it for sleep. Hiya also contains a blend of the following nutrients to help your child at bedtime:

💤 Vitamin B6: Helps the body produce melatonin

😌 L-theanine: Helps promote relaxation and reduce anxiety and stress

🪷 GABA: Reduces stress and enhances sleep

‍

‍

Zarbee’s relies only on chamomile. L’il Critters also uses chamomile, plus passion flower and lemon balm extracts, which have limited evidence for sleep.

‍

The Lowest Sugar Content: Hiya Bedtime Essentials Wins

According to Rothman, our pediatric dietitian, sugar:

❌ Can actually make it harder for kids to fall asleep (2)

❌ Is bad for teeth - especially in gummies, which stick to teeth (3)

Only Hiya, which uses monk-fruit extract for sweetness, is sugar-free (0g added sugar, 0g total sugar).

‍

‍

Zarbee’s uses honey, sucrose, and glucose syrup (2g added sugar) and L'il Critters uses glucose syrup and sugar (3g added sugar).

‍

‍

Age Range: Hiya Bedtime Essentials is Safe for Kids 2+

Beyond avoiding melatonin and sugar, Hiya’s chewable tablet is safe for ages 2+ —when sleep troubles often begin (I can confirm)!

L’il Critters and Zarbees are both gummies—a choking hazard for children 3 and under. (3) As such, L’il Critters is only recommended for ages 4+, and Zarbee’s for 3+.

‍

‍

The Tastiest: It’s a Tie

Bella is a picky eater, so making sure she’ll actually like the taste is so important.

🍋Zarbee’s and L’il Critters Raspberry Lemon, Apple, and Cherry Peach flavors are yummy, but come with the downside of the added sugar.

😋Hiya’s “Tropical Burst” is deliciously fruity without the sugar - confirmed by Bella!

‍

‍

Why Hiya Bedtime Essentials is Our Top Pick for Kids Sleep

Choosing Hiya Bedtime Essentials offers a blend of safe, natural ingredients that fit well into our bedtime routine.

‍

‍

And boy, does it work! After just a few days, my kids’ chronic nighttime antsiness transformed into falling asleep with almost no fuss 😅 It’s a relief to know that I can get both kiddos to safely wind down with no melatonin and no added sugar!

‍

Ready to try Hiya? With TCD, get 50% on your first order, plus free shipping! Have multiple kids? Hiya offers discounts for that too.

‍

‍

‍

^{1. AASM Melatonin Health Advisory: https://aasm.org/american-academy-of-sleep-medicine-advises-parents-seek-medical-advice-before-giving-melatonin-children/‍}

^{2. Sugar and Sleep Quality: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8848117/‍}

^{3. Choking Hazards of Gummies: https://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/infantandtoddlernutrition/foods-and-drinks/choking-hazards.html}