More children are taking the hormone in the form of nightly gummies or drops. The long-term effects are unclear.

But in August, Putnam said, she learned from a former employee at the day care center that he and others had given melatonin ...

According to the Maine government, it is legal for day care centers to give children melatonin or other nonprescription medications, but parental consent is required. open image in gallery Parents ...

Laura Putnam never thought her sons would receive melatonin supplements at day care. She enrolled them at Apple Blossom Childcare in Falmouth, Maine, when they were 1 and 2 years old. She said ...