Ask Dr. Mona

This is such a common question, especially with all the viral videos and bold claims out there that make daycare sound harmful or even traumatic. But here’s the truth: there’s no strong evidence that daycare itself causes long-term harm to a child’s emotional or physical well-being.

One of the most well-known studies on this, the NICHD Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development, followed over 1,000 children from infancy through adolescence. What did they find? That what matters most isn’t whether a child is in daycare, but the quality of that care and the sensitivity of their primary caregivers. Children with warm, responsive parents formed secure attachments no matter how many hours they spent in care.

And in a follow-up study, researchers found that those who had experienced higher-quality early childcare went on to show small but meaningful benefits in academic achievement, cognitive skills, and even impulse control, especially as they got older.

So if pickup is emotional or transitions feel bumpy, that doesn’t mean something’s wrong. Those tears? They often reflect a secure bond. Your child feels safe enough with you to let it all out.

Need help figuring out what to ask on a daycare tour or how to find a nanny that feels like the right fit? Download the free PedsDocTalk Childcare Guide.

And if you’re curious about what the research actually says, about attachment, stress hormones, expert disagreements, and everything in between, this full PedsDocTalk Newsletter breaks it all down.

Sleep struggles are so common, and melatonin often comes up as a possible fix. But before reaching for a supplement, it’s important to understand how it works and whether it’s actually necessary.

Melatonin is a hormone our brains naturally produce to help regulate sleep. It can help kids fall asleep faster, but it doesn’t usually keep them asleep. Supplements are available over-the-counter in various forms, but they’re not regulated by the FDA, so quality and dosing can vary a lot. One study even found some melatonin gummies contained up to 347% more than what was listed on the label. That’s why it’s so important to choose a trusted brand and talk to your child’s clinician before using it.

Research in kids is still limited. A 2023 meta-analysis found that melatonin helped increase sleep time by about 30 minutes and reduced the time it took to fall asleep by 18 minutes. While that sounds promising, the studies were small and often relied on self-reports, so results should be taken with caution.

Melatonin may be helpful in some cases, but it’s not meant to be a first-line solution or a long-term fix. That’s why most experts (including the AAP) recommend trying other sleep strategies first before turning to melatonin.

If you're considering melatonin, start by asking: What’s getting in the way of sleep? It’s important to explore the root cause of your child’s sleep difficulties. There are medical or behavioral conditions to assess for and rule out, such as sleep apnea, ADHD, or anxiety. You can hear more in this PedsDocTalk podcast episode, which covers conditions that affect sleep and when to be concerned.

And if melatonin is recommended by your child’s clinician, start low, go slow, and always store it safely. Accidental ingestions have sent thousands of kids to the ER.

If you have more questions about the research, safety, dosing, or when it’s useful (like for travel), this PedsDocTalk YouTube video answers the most common parent questions.

PDT Real Talk Series

This month’s question is,

We’re a few weeks into the new season of change, new classrooms, new teachers, new rhythms (or at least an attempt at them). And whether your child just started daycare or your preschooler is adjusting to a new morning drop-off, transitions can bring up a lot of feelings…for everyone.

So this month, we want to hear what’s helped. Maybe it was a simple goodbye ritual or just a more patient morning routine. Maybe it was something totally unexpected, like singing the same song every morning in the car. Whatever works! You never know what might help someone else, too.

Please share your response at the link below. Submit by August 29th to be included in the giveaway. The winner will be notified individually via email, and responses will be featured in our August 31st Real Talk Newsletter.

Ask Dr. Mona

Ask Dr. Mona all your parenting questions!

Dr. Mona will answer these questions in a future Sunday Morning Q&A email. Chances are if you have a parenting concern or question, another parent can relate. So let's figure this out together!