Sleep problems such as bedtime difficulties, frequent night waking and excessive daytime sleepiness are prevalent in children with epilepsy. In the present study, functional assessment of sleep onset problems in two young children with epilepsy was performed. Effects of bedtime fading and antipsychotic medication (pipamperon) in a 6-year-old boy, and melatonin in an 8-year-old girl were assessed on sleep latency. Treatment resulted in a marked decrease in sleep latency in both cases and effects were maintained after three months.