Drops calming the nervous system for children. Sedative (sedative) preparations for children. Special Causes for Concern in Babies
Very often, parents are faced with the problem of overexcited children. There can be many reasons for such a condition in a child: from quarrels and problems in the family to entering a kindergarten or school. The modern pace of life contributes to the emergence of stressful situations for both adults and children. To cope with this condition, doctors often prescribe sedatives for children.
Nervousness, overexcitation, moodiness and sleep disturbance can occur in children at any age. And if in a child up to a year such deviations are associated with hunger, colic, bloating, then in older children this condition can be provoked by social factors. If you observe similar behavior in your baby, then it is advisable to consult a therapist and, if necessary, a neurologist. And in case this is not a sign of serious disorders, you will be prescribed a sedative for children or a sedative. Such drugs will help relieve nervous tension in a child, normalize the work of an organism sensitive to weather changes, relieve cramps in the abdomen and improve (deepen) sleep. Most often, herbal teas (decoctions), soothing medicines, homeopathy and folk methods are used for this purpose.
Herbal preparations that soothe the child have a mild effect and have minimal contraindications. That is why many parents prefer to give them to their children, especially when it comes to a child under one year old.
However, remember that medicinal herbs still have an effect on the body and have contraindications. The doctor should prescribe them, choosing the dose depending on how old the child is.
The most popular are the following plants:
- valerian officinalis;
- motherwort;
- peppermint;
- Melissa officinalis and others.
The main property of valerian is the removal of nervous excitement in a child or adult. It is able to have an anti-spasmodic effect, which is facilitated by the presence of essential oils and alkaloids. Valerian is good for sleep disorders and is indicated even for babies.
Peppermint has a calming effect, can reduce pain, relieve spasms and dilate blood vessels. Its composition perfectly helps to cope with nervous tension, stress and depression. Mint is indicated in the presence of neuroses and insomnia.
Thanks to the beneficial substances found in lemon balm, the plant not only has a calming effect on the nervous system, but also enriches the body with vitamins and microelements. It has antihypoxic and anticonvulsant effects.
All these herbs can be purchased individually at the pharmacy or as ready-made fees. For children up to a year, instant teas are specially produced. Their action depends on the composition. In addition to calming herbs, it often includes fennel and chamomile, which help to improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. Sometimes children are prescribed a herbal preparation - Persen. It contains herbs that help to cope with excitement and improve sleep.
Any, even such a harmless option as children's instant tea, should be prescribed by a doctor. After all, there are many reasons for the appearance of overexcitation or sleep disturbances, and only a specialist can identify them. By self-medicating, you can harm your baby.
Medical preparations
A large flow of information that falls on children from birth does not weaken during the first years of life. Add to this an early passion for computer games, mobile phones, tablets, TV, and you get a favorable environment for the development of stress and nervous overexcitation. Therefore, doctors often have to prescribe a sedative for children. And in order to normalize the functioning of the nervous system, medications are used.
The leader among such drugs is the drug Glycine. It contains an amino acid that helps the child emotionally unload. At the same time, the intensity of excitation processes decreases, sleep normalizes, and brain activity improves. In combination with it, other sedative drugs can be prescribed - Pantogam, Magne B6, Citral, Phenibut.
If the doctor is worried about your child's excessive nervousness, he may prescribe you more serious drugs - tranquilizers (Phenazepam, Sibazon, Tazepam, Elenium). In addition to normalizing the functioning of the nervous system, they are able to relieve feelings of anxiety and fear. The disadvantage of their use is a very quick addiction. Therefore, they are used only in rare cases and for a very short time. In this case, a small patient must be under the supervision of a doctor.
Some experts in their practice use the drug Citral. It is based on plant components and bromine. The last component can lead to negative consequences (apathy, drowsiness, memory impairment), so you should not take this remedy for a long time.
Keep in mind that many drugs for children are only suitable for certain age groups. Therefore, the treatment of nervous excitement in a child at 3 years old will differ from the scheme painted for a child at 7 years old.
Homeopathy
One of the treatment options that a doctor prescribes are homeopathic remedies. They differ in composition and effect from plant-based products. Depending on the problem you have, you may be prescribed one of the following medications:
- Dormikind;
- Bayu-Bai;
- Valerianakhel;
- Bunny and others.
If you are worried about sleep disturbance in a baby under 6 years old and his increased excitability, then small Dormikind tablets will help you cope with it. The reason for violations can be both admission to kindergarten, and moving or divorce. Valeriankhel is an analogue of Dormikind and can also be used for babies up to a year old.
Hare syrup will be a delicious addition to the daily diet, and due to its special composition it will not cause allergies.
The drug Bayu-Bai is usually prescribed to children after 5 years. These drops, in addition to the plant component, contain citric and glutamic acid. They not only soothe, but also increase the body's resistance to viruses. They are credited with anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. They also help to improve performance, concentration and normalize all phases of sleep.
Folk methods
Help in solving the problem of overexcitation and sleep disturbances can be folk methods that were used by our grandmothers.
For example, you can put a special scented pillow in your baby's bed. It is very easy to make it. To do this, it is enough to fill a simple pillow with fragrant soothing herbs (mint, lemon balm). But before doing this, make sure that your child is not allergic to them. You can use those plants that are sold in a pharmacy or prepare them specially in the summer.
A warm bath with the addition of herbs helps to relax well. To do this, an infusion of soothing herbs is poured into a bath filled with water (at the rate of 500 ml of decoction per 10 liters of water). For these purposes, you can use ready-made decoctions, which are easy to purchase at any pharmacy. If we are talking about a baby, then doctors recommend using only one herb.
Baths with sea salt have a very beneficial effect on the body. In addition to the soothing effect, they enrich the skin with important trace elements. Such baths are good for children with birth trauma, rickets and sleep disorders.
Update: November 2018
A restless child of any age is a rather serious problem, exhausting the patience of parents and often annoying others.
Modern pharmacology is ready to provide a rich selection of drugs that can calm the most violent baby or teenager. But how expedient is it to resort to different groups of sedatives in children's practice? Let's try to figure it out.
Sedatives for a child
Sedatives (sedatives) are designed to gently regulate the balance between excitation and inhibition in the cerebral cortex. Most of them are herbal preparations, but there are also synthetic agents. Today, combined preparations in teas or tablets are very popular. This group of drugs is much milder than tranquilizers or sleeping pills, and can enhance their effect.
Sleepless at night
Babies quite often do not adhere to the traditional daily routine (eat and sleep). Many of them, for some reason, prefer to scream almost around the clock or, having slept for half an hour after an evening swim, proceed with a heart-rending cry for hours until four in the morning.
Let's make a reservation right away that a healthy child of the first three months of life normally eats and sleeps most of the day and night. No early development justifies staying awake for more than four hours a day at this age. Yes, and a grown-up baby, who has not reached one and a half years, should sleep for ten hours in a row at night (provided that he is fed and changed clothes).
- Consequences of hypoxia
What makes a baby scream or just stay awake at inopportune hours? As a rule, brain hypoxia suffered in utero or in childbirth is to blame for everything, followed by postnatal encephalopathy, which is completely rejected by Western neurologists, but which, however, quietly exists even without this recognition.
The lack of oxygen, leading to damage to some of the cells of the cerebral cortex, or even to hemorrhages in different parts of the brain, leaves behind either a bursting head of the child and disturbing him with a headache, or dysfunction of the cortex, which affects the nervous excitability of the baby.
For newborns who confused day with night (born from mothers who liked not to sleep at night during pregnancy), the above is not relevant, since this category of babies quickly enters a normal schedule with careful observance of the daily regimen already during the first month of life.
- Intestinal problems
The second common cause of restless behavior of an infant is intestinal discomfort against the background of dysbacteriosis, irrational feeding or intestinal infection. Stretching the intestines with gases causes such severe pain that the child is ready to rage and scream for most of the day (see).
The third, rarer pathology that makes the baby scream is inflammation of the middle ear (otitis media), in which the pain is also not weak, and there is no way to endure it without anesthesia.
Rachitic lesions of the nervous system are also a common problem, especially for northern latitudes. In addition to sweating, the child has an overreaction to harsh noises, he shudders in his sleep and generally becomes too restless.
And only somewhere in the fifth place are the teething teeth so beloved by pediatricians (which in general rarely really force one of the kids to stay up at night or scream out loud) and other diseases that have quite expressive symptoms (fever, snot, cough, well, or at worst some kind of rash).
To calm the baby, you must follow the following algorithm
- feed
- change clothes
- Take on the hands and shake. Remember that Dr. Spock's recommendations that the child will yell and get used to falling asleep on his own have already given a couple of generations of neurotics who are accustomed from infancy to achieve everything only with a heart-rending cry. Calm the child as soon as he screamed, do not bring to tantrums - this becomes a habit of the baby and then it is much more difficult to cope with it.
- If your baby can't suckle as much as he needs, buy a pacifier. For babies, sucking is the best sedative.
- Show the pediatrician and neurologist.
- Make an ultrasound of the brain and take a stool culture for dysbacteriosis.
- Compensate for intracranial pressure (if any) with diacarb or magnesia. In severe forms of hydrocephalus, consult a neurosurgeon, if necessary, perform a bypass (see )
- Sanitize the intestines for dysbacteriosis (bacteriophages or), then drink a couple of courses of probiotics (premadophilus, linex, bifidumbacterin, see). In parallel, give the child defoamers that break gas bubbles (Bebicalm, Espumizan, Bobotik).
- In parallel, show the child to the ENT and exclude inflammation of the ears.
- Transfer the child to breastfeeding by age, adjust the mother's diet (when breastfeeding, see), stop overfeeding and feed cabbage soup from five months of artificial (see).
- Do not neglect the prophylactic intake of vitamin D. If in the region where the baby lives, the sun does not shine for eight hours a day for five months a year, it is stupid to be afraid of an overdose of this drug. After all, such severe forms of rickets, as in the Russian North, have not been seen in Europe for a long time.
- Establish a daily routine for the baby. More walks with the baby. Restless and violent children should be warmly dressed and put to bed with the window open.
- Do not be nervous when approaching a child. Do not shout or swear in his presence. Take herbal sedatives yourself.
Thus, the only situation when a baby from birth to a year really needs sedatives is postnatal encephalopathy,. In all other cases, you just need to be attentive to the baby and the patience of the parents, most children under one year old wake up 2-3 times at night and are restless for various reasons - this is normal!
Sedatives for the baby
If a neuropathologist has diagnosed postnatal encephalopathy in an infant, if the child is too restless (sleeps little, cries a lot) and has no other diseases that could interfere with his life, it is worth listening to the neurologist's recommendations regarding sedatives.
For intracranial hypertension:
- As a rule, most infants with intracranial hypertension come to an equilibrium state of mind already from banal diuretics.
- In parallel with them, a child may be recommended a mixture with citral, which is prepared in pharmacies according to a neurologist's prescription. The composition of the drug includes:
- magnesium sulfate, which lowers pressure in the head, soothes and causes a mild sedative effect
- sedative sodium bromide
- valerian, inhibiting the nervous system.
It is necessary to strictly observe the recommended dosages, since valerian can slow down the heart rate. Valerian prevents the destruction in the brain of substances that block inhibitory processes. It soothes, enhances the effect of sleeping pills, relieves intestinal spasms.
With rickets: Children with rickets of the nervous system are usually bathed with sea salt or coniferous extract.
Breastfeeding mothers you can recommend soothing teas and fees sold in pharmacies (provided that they do not cause allergies in a small one). The same soothing teas are available in the departments of baby food for the children themselves.
When bathing babies tincture of valerian or motherwort can be added to the water (40 drops per baby bath), not forgetting that alcohol solutions are not recommended even for external use in children. , lemon balm or also relax kids. Recommended and grass perforated .
- Bath with oregano, motherwort, valerian and thyme- take 3 tbsp. spoons of a mixture of these herbs, brew, let stand for half an hour, strain and pour into a bath, the duration of the procedure is 15 minutes.
- Coniferous soothing bath- perfectly removes the excitement of the baby, but take it no more than 5 minutes and no more than 12 baths per course.
- Sea salt bath- also perfectly soothes and is recommended even for newborn babies. You can bathe a child for up to 30 minutes by dissolving 250 mg in a bath. sea salt.
This is a more serious sedative, often prescribed for toddlers up to a year (although the instructions indicate a contraindication for up to 2 years). It removes anxiety, irritability and fear, causes drowsiness, relieves increased muscle tone and excessive motor activity in children. However, it has side effects in the form of excessive drowsiness, allergic reactions, headache, kidney and liver dysfunction. |
 The nootropic drug Pantogam (hopantenic acid) is often prescribed. It not only improves the nutrition of damaged areas of the cortex, but also removes increased muscle tone, smoothes out obsessive motor activity, helps with motor disorders, delayed psychomotor development. True, today it belongs to drugs with unproven action, since there have been no wide randomized trials on the drug (great practical experience in pediatric neurology does not count, since the manufacturing campaign did not spend money on clinical trials). |
From one year to three
After surviving the first year of the baby, most parents enter the era of normal life. At the same time, not all children whose nervous system malfunctioned in infancy, but was well compensated by the age of one, received any sedatives. After all, the children's nervous system is at the stage of development and has a huge potential for self-healing.
However, some children still have anxiety and sleep disorders. Some of them develop hysterical behavioral traits. Some have fears, night or. Therefore, the problem of sedatives remains relevant at this age.
It should be remembered that part of the problems of a restless child at this age comes from social or pedagogical neglect. Therefore, for example, replacing the problem of deprivation with a medical diagnosis and replacing full-fledged upbringing and love for a child with drugs of a calming series is not only illiterate, but also criminal.
At home, folk sedatives can be prepared independently. Here are a couple of easy recipes:
- Mint and linden - take one part of peppermint and linden flowers. Add half of the chamomile. Pour everything with two cups of boiling water and bring to a boil in a water bath. Insist in an enamel bowl. Give the child a tablespoon twenty minutes before bedtime.
- Mint and valerian- two tablespoons of mint and valerian root, pour two glasses of boiling water and insist for half an hour. Strain, cool, give the child three times a day a tablespoon for a week.
Many believe that if the drug is herbal, then it can be used without control, not limited, even “the more the better” - for both infants and older children. However, medicinal plants are also medicines, the composition of which is complex and very ambiguous, many plants in their composition contain, albeit small doses, but harmful compounds, and you should definitely consult a pediatrician or phytotherapeutist before use.
For example, children should not drink tea only with mint or only with lemon balm (mono tea). Soothing teas for babies usually contain valerian, chamomile, fennel seeds, string, linden blossom, etc. - soothing teas “Evening Tale”, “Soothing Children's”, “Calm”, Fitosedan, Baiu-Bai drops.
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Green tea, thyme, motherwort, alfalfa, rosehip, lemon balm, mint, kelp extract powder. |
Valerian, mint, thyme, motherwort, linden, St. John's wort, hawthorn, chamomile, plantain, rosehip, stevia. |
Rhizomes and roots of valerian, dandelion, mint, walnut leaves, plantain, stevia, hawthorn, cumin fruits, wild rose, hops, oregano, St. chamomile |
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Anise extract, lavender, mint |
Sweet clover, valerian roots, thyme, motherwort, oregano |
Extract of hawthorn fruit, oregano, peony, motherwort, peppermint, glutamic and citric acid |
Linden blossom extract, lemon balm and chamomile, dextrose. |
Calming pills for hyperactive children
Denying existence, Western neurologists, psychologists, and psychiatrists practicing in children's environments are very prone to diagnose hyperactivity and distracted attention. But not only to make diagnoses, but also to fully treat patients with these ailments, connecting to the process a lot of drugs with a calming effect.
All nootropics improve metabolic processes only in the pathologically altered cortex. That is, they are effective in areas damaged by oxygen starvation or hemorrhage, but do not work on a healthy brain. But all the cells that could recover have already recovered at the age of early childhood (up to three years).
Here is a list of drugs that can be used to treat distracted attention and hyperactivity, but it is useless:
- Polypeptides: Cortexin, Cerebrolysin
- Racetams: Piracetam, Nootropil, Rolziracetam
- Neuropeptides: Semax
- Derivatives of gamma-aminobutyric acid: Phenibut, Picamilon, Pantogam.
Sedatives, which are resorted to from three to twelve, are all the same herbal sedatives:
- Valerian, motherwort, bromides
- Persen - combined tablets - dry extracts of mint, lemon balm and valerian roots
- Tenoten homeopathic for children - antibodies to the brain-specific protein S 10
- Nervoflux tea - a mixture of extracts of valerian root, hop cones, lemon mint, licorice root, orange flowers
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40 tab. 230 -250 rub. |
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40 tab. 170 - 220 rubles. Ingredients: antibodies to the brain-specific protein S-100 |
Glycine
Over the past decade, the practice of prescribing children has gained momentum. Actually, this drug is not a sedative in its pure form, but refers to nootropics. It is an amino acid that is part of many biological fluids and tissues of the human body.
Receptors for this neurotransmitter are found in the brain and spinal cord. By binding to them, glycine increases the release of amino acids responsible for inhibitory processes in the nervous system (glutamine) and reduces the release of excitatory amino acids (gamma-aminobutyric).
These sweet pills are easily tolerated and readily taken by children, but are unlikely to have any significant sedative effect (at least in the dosages that are accepted in pediatric practice). Like all modern nootropic drugs, this medicine belongs to drugs with unproven action, that is, its prescription remains on the conscience of the attending physician, and the medicine is not included in neurological standards.
Homeopathic sedatives and dietary supplements for children
Adhering to the principle of “treat like like,” homeopaths should have composed their preparations from a mixture of roars, capricious whining and causeless jumps from the floor to the walls and back. However, these far-sighted healers resort to the same herbal sedatives, seasoning them with sugar and serving them in the form of sweet peas, which most children take for sweets, so they eat without problems. There are also sweet syrups, which also go with a bang. In this regard, in this matter, we are at the same time with homeopaths and are not at all against homeopathic sedatives for children.
The following soothing homeopathic remedies are currently available:
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Thus, sedatives in pediatric practice are always a necessary necessity. It cannot be assumed that taking such medications for a child is a daily practice and a normal state of affairs.
Sedatives are medicines that a doctor must prescribe according to strict indications in certain doses and for a specific period of time, after which the medicine must be canceled. More than half of the problems associated with children's anxiety are generated by their unreasonable behavior of adults who are responsible for the child. Remember that in addition to the nervous system, the child has a liver, kidneys and pancreas, which can suffer from unreasonable medication.
A fairly common problem for parents is the increased excitability of children, their nervousness and irritability, tearfulness and whims, fatigue and depression, sleep disturbance. Not always these manifestations are symptoms of a violation of the nervous system.
In modern conditions, not only adults, but also children are often exposed to stressful situations. The very process of birth is stressful for the baby. In subsequent years, there are many provoking factors and reasons for nervous, restless behavior: adaptation in kindergarten and school; increased workload in connection with the development of the school curriculum and before exams; scandals in the family or lack of contact with parents. Often, pediatricians and neurologists have to prescribe sedatives (sedatives) to children. In this article, we will consider various sedative drugs for children.
Sedative (soothing) drugs help relieve not only nervous excitement, but also a feeling of discomfort due to weather changes or abdominal cramps, normalize falling asleep and sleep itself.
There are a lot of methods and means of influencing the nervous system and normalizing the processes of excitation and inhibition in the brain:
- herbal medicine: herbal teas and decoctions;
- medical sedatives;
- homeopathic remedies;
- traditional medicine;
- pedagogical methods of behavior correction.
Phytotherapy
Herbal tea from plants with a sedative effect will help calm the nervous system of the child, prepare him for sleep.Parents often prefer herbal preparations, considering them safe for the child's body. These drugs have a milder effect, have fewer side effects, and can also be used for children under one year old.
But they also have contraindications and side effects, the dosage of drugs is prescribed depending on the age of the child. Therefore, their use in children must also be agreed with the pediatrician.
The range of drugs from medicinal plants is quite large. Traditionally and most often, plants such as peppermint, motherwort, valerian officinalis, lemon balm and others are used to make sedative preparations.
Valerian preparations not only reduce the excitability of the nervous system, but also have an antispastic effect (that is, they relieve spasms), due to the presence of a complex of active substances (essential oils and alkaloids) in it. They are used for increased nervous excitability, sleep disturbance in children, starting from the infant period.
Peppermint extracts have a calming and analgesic effect, as well as relieve spasms and reflexively dilate blood vessels in the brain and heart. Mint leaves and stems are used. They contain essential oil, trace elements (manganese, copper, etc.), tannins, and other active components. Due to its composition, mint relieves nervous tension, has an antidepressant and anti-stress effect. This unpretentious plant is used in the treatment of neurosis and insomnia.
Lemon mint, or lemon balm, has a similar pharmacological effect. In addition to the essential oil of lemon balm, vitamins (riboflavin, thiamine, ascorbic acid) and microelements contained in it have a beneficial effect on the nervous system. Biologically active substances of lemon balm have a pronounced antihypoxic effect, and even an anticonvulsant effect.
With motor and emotional anxiety in children, such a herbal preparation as Persen (in capsules and tablets) is also widely used. The drug consists of herbal ingredients: lemon balm, valerian and peppermint. Indications for the appointment of Persen are insomnia, irritability and irritability. In the form of tablets, the drug is used for children from the age of 3, and in capsules - from the age of 12.
The most common form of application of soothing herbs are teas, which can be purchased at any pharmacy. They can be in the form of granules for dissolution or packaged in filter bags for brewing. Such teas are produced by many baby food companies or pharmaceutical companies.
The effect of such teas can be expressed in varying degrees: from insignificant to paradoxical, depending on the composition of the herbs included in the tea. Most often, mint, chamomile, lemon balm, valerian, fennel, motherwort, lime blossom are used in teas. Granulated teas may contain sugar, maltodextrose, or fructose.
Some teas can be used even in the first year of life. From the second week after the birth of the baby, granulated tea "Sweet Dreams" by Humana is allowed for use. It consists of lemon balm, lime blossom, mallow and thyme. From the age of six months, teas can be used: in the form of granules - HIPP, in bags "Bebivita" and "Babushkino Lukoshko". They do not contain dyes and preservatives.
Increased excitability of the child at bedtime, restless sleep are indications for the appointment of soothing tea. But the pediatrician should choose the type of tea for the baby. No matter how harmless tea may seem to parents, you should not exceed its dosage for the baby. Many remedies have an individual effect: helping one little patient may not help another, or even cause the opposite effect.
Many dietary supplements also contain medicinal plants and can affect the mood and psychomotor reactions of the child. Therefore, before using them for a baby, you need to consult a pediatrician.
Medical sedatives
Modern conditions of life, a huge flow of information, early infatuation of children with computer games and TV programs have a negative effect on the emotional state of the child and the underdeveloped nervous system. Therefore, for some children, the appointment of sedative medications is a necessity.
One of the widely used sedatives is Glycine. It is an amino acid that promotes emotional unloading, reducing arousal processes, normalizing sleep and improving brain function. Pantogam, Magne B 6, Citral, Phenibut, which have a sedative effect, are also prescribed.
In special cases of excessive excitement of the child, neurologists may prescribe Phenazepam, Sibazon, Tazepam, Elenium. The listed drugs (tranquilizers) effectively eliminate the feeling of fear, nervous overexcitation. These drugs can be addictive, so they are used in exceptional cases, for a short time, under medical supervision.
Some doctors - neurologists and pediatricians - use the Citral mixture in children's practice, which includes motherwort tincture, valerian root extract, magnesium sulfate and sodium bromide. However, you should be aware that a child taking drugs with bromine for a long time may show signs of accumulation of bromine ions in the body. As a result, nervous excitability is suppressed, but apathy, drowsiness, and memory impairment develop; there is a cough and a skin rash on the body.
For the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children over 6 years of age and adolescents, European and international standards recommend the only Strattera drug, Atomoxetine. It is not a psychostimulant and is not addictive.
It is impossible to prescribe sedatives to a child on his own. For all behavioral or sleep disorders in children, regardless of their age, you should contact your pediatrician.
homeopathic remedies
Often, homeopathic remedies are prescribed as sedatives for children. It should be remembered that homeopathic remedies are not analogues of herbal preparations. To date, in pediatrics, homeopathic preparations are often used as sedatives: Notta, Baby-Sed (Caprizul), Valerianakhel, Nervochel, Hare, Naughty, Leovit, "Edas", "Dormikind", etc. These drugs are used for stress (moving, adaptation period in kindergarten, divorce of parents, and others).
Nervousness of the baby and pain during teething can be removed by Viburkol candles. In case of sleep disturbance, drugs "Dormikind" and "Nottu" are used. "Dormikind" and "Valerianahel" can be used at the age of up to a year. And the drug "Hare" is offered in the form of a syrup based on fructose, so it does not give an adverse allergic reaction.
To cheer up and improve sleep, relieve irritability can be a sedative drug in the form of drops "Bayu-Bai", but it can only be taken by children from 5 years old. As part of the drops: peony extract, oregano extract, mint extract, motherwort extract, hawthorn fruit extract, glutamic acid and citric acid. The drug also has a tonic and mild anti-inflammatory effect, analgesic effect. Schoolchildren increase their working capacity and load tolerance. All phases of sleep and morning activity of children are normalized.
In depressive states in a teenager, with aggressive behavior, psychological stress, Epam 1000 drops give a good effect. The composition of the drops includes propolis and herbal extracts (motherwort, valerian, Rhodiola rosea). The action of the drug helps to restore the structure of nerve cells.
Traditional medicine
An aromatic pillow can be a good sedative for a child. Mom can sew it herself and fill it with dried herbs (mint, chamomile, lemon balm). But before that, you need to check how the herbs used work specifically on your child, and make sure that there is no allergy to these herbs. Herbs can be purchased at a pharmacy or prepared by yourself.
Evening baths with the addition of herbs have a beneficial effect on the baby's sleep. Use lavender, coniferous, motherwort, valerian, nettle decoctions to add to the bath. A decoction for the bath is prepared as follows: 3 tbsp. collection of herbs with 500 ml of water is boiled in a water bath for 20-30 minutes. and insist for several hours, filter and add to 10 liters of water in the bath.
There are also ready-made pharmacy fees for baths "Soothing", "Fitosedan", "Children's sedative". Such baths can be used from birth, but up to the year of the baby, it is recommended to use a decoction of only one herb. The duration of the bath is 15 minutes, the course of treatment is 10 days.
Can be used for baths and a decoction of this bedstraw: 5 tbsp. herbs brew 1 liter of boiling water, leave for 30 minutes and strain.
Before going to bed, you can apply a bath for 10 minutes from the collection of mint, oregano and calendula flowers. 50 g of a dry mixture of herbs pour 3 liters of boiling water, leave for 30 minutes, strain and add to the bath for 10 liters of water. It is recommended to carry out 3 baths per week (up to 7 procedures in total).
Has no contraindications for use at any age bath with sea salt. Such a bath has not only a sedative effect, but also a tonic, tonic effect. Through the skin, iodine and other trace elements penetrate into the body from the solution. Such baths are recommended for children with birth injuries, rickets, and sleep disturbances.
Depending on the indications, you can change the concentration of salt in the bath from 5 to 30 g per 1 liter of water. The water temperature is 38˚С, the duration of the procedure is 15 minutes. After the bath, the child should be rinsed with warm water (wash off the salt).
In pharmacies, you can buy sea salt with natural essential oils (mint, lavender).
Pedagogical behavior correction
The immaturity of the child's nervous system in early childhood is often the cause of negative behavior. In some cases, such behavior does not require the use of drugs, but is subject to pedagogical correction and parents' help in adapting the baby to environmental conditions and acquiring verbal communication skills.
Often problems arise in connection with the desire of parents to apply newfangled methods of early development of their child. These techniques can be an excessive burden for the child, which he can not cope with.
In some cases, the problem of anxiety and hyperexcitability in a child, behavior correction can be solved with the help of:
- compliance with the daily routine;
- sufficient sleep duration;
- control of pastime at the computer and at the TV;
- mandatory stay in the fresh air;
- balanced diet;
- normal psycho-emotional situation in the family;
- child's visit to kindergarten;
- work in circles of children's creativity.
Children also have biorhythms, that is, some of them are the so-called "larks", others are "owls". Depending on the biorhythm, you should plan the child's daily routine. By carefully observing the child and his activity, you can determine the type of his biorhythm and correctly build a regimen for him, which will help to avoid tantrums and inappropriate behavior.
Excessive guardianship of the child should also be avoided, not made of him the "center of the Universe" in the family or an object of worship. Behavioral deviations, starting in childhood, can affect the mental state in the future.
This does not mean that attention should not be paid to the child and his interests: deviations in behavior may also be due to a lack of parental participation, when the child tries to attract attention and make up for its deficit by shocking actions.
Sometimes, in order to ensure a calm sleep for the baby, you just need to exclude noisy games before bedtime, give a glass of warm milk or tea with a spoon of honey (if there is no allergy), tell a fairy tale. There are also music discs that promote falling asleep. Parents should not arrange entertainment events in the evening, if the family has a small child, go with him to visit in the evenings and stay there until late.
The mental state of the child often depends on the behavior of the parents. In relations with your child, you should be measured and calm. Irritability and fatigue of parents should not be reflected in children. Don't forget about it. Perhaps, parents need sedatives first of all, so that mutual understanding and peace reign in family relationships. Then the children will not need treatment.
Summary for parents
An active lifestyle, frequent exposure to fresh air strengthen the child's nervous system. Modern children develop actively and quickly. But this development also has a downside. The child may not be able to cope with the flow of information and emotional stress, which will lead to sleep disturbance, behavioral changes, whims and tantrums. Before trying to find a way out of this situation on your own, using the advice of neighbors and acquaintances, consult a pediatrician. The doctor will deal with the cause of the appearance of behavioral abnormalities, select the remedy necessary for the baby and help eliminate the increased excitability of the child at any age.
A restless capricious child takes a lot of strength and energy. And if he still does not sleep at night, then his mother is already ready to do everything possible, if only to somehow stop it. Especially if the baby is still very small and cannot inform you about the causes of his insomnia. And there are always reasons.
This is where we start because restlessness and insomnia are always a symptom. Whether it is physiological pain or discomfort, or psychological trauma, or a neurological disorder - but in order to stop night tantrums or even quiet, but sleeplessness, you need to determine the cause and eliminate it. That is why we recommend that all mothers, without exception, start their search with a visit to a pediatrician and pediatric specialists. Often, after the correct diagnosis and competent treatment, the child calms down on his own.
However, let's be honest: modern specialists often leave much to be desired in a better and more professional attitude towards their patients, and modern parents easily take on the role of a doctor, thinking that some knowledge from the Internet is more than enough for this.
Below we give some examples of baby sedatives that can be used for the smallest, including babies up to a year old. But we want to note that this is only general information, which should not be taken as a guide to action. The remedies described can be used as a temporary measure in extreme situations until you find an opportunity to see a doctor. But in general, you need to find a pediatrician whom you will trust and with whom you will discuss all issues of treating your child.
An alternative to sedatives
First, I would like to turn to mothers: try to objectively assess the situation and weigh the need for sedatives. Perhaps you are just tired, you need to rest and sleep - little kids always take a lot of energy. Ask someone close to you to take over for one or two nights so that you can recover. Or take a walk with the baby during the day so that you can take a quiet nap.
Maybe the problem of disturbed sleep and calmness of the baby lies in the wrong organization of the daily routine? Thoroughly study the topic and draw honest conclusions: do you walk with him enough, do you properly care for the child, do you regularly do wet cleaning and airing in the house. Make sure that the room where the baby sleeps has the appropriate temperature and humidity. Pay attention to the crib and clothes of the baby, the quality of the lighting and the objects surrounding it. Eliminate the possibility of exposure to the well-being of the baby of various irritating factors.
Make sure the baby is healthy and comfortable: he is not hungry, dry, he does not burn new baby cream or your perfume, you did not feed him "heavy" breast milk, and so on. In general, there can be a lot of options because of which children show anxiety. And most importantly: appreciate the atmosphere in the family. If quarrels and strife in your home are in the order of things, as they say, then first of all contact a specialist yourself. You must be calm, measured, loving, attentive and affectionate. Because there is no better medicine and sedative for a child than these.
And only after you honestly and adequately evaluate all the factors mentioned, it will be possible to think about calming the baby with the help of special means. But each of them should be used with greater caution, the younger the child. And be sure to check the tolerance of the baby of each individual component. In addition, be prepared for the individual reaction of your baby to each individual remedy: after all, what soothes some may excite others.
Soothing baths for children up to a year
One of the most harmless such means are baths using plant extracts and decoctions with relaxing properties. For the smallest, it is recommended to use valerian, hops, peony, lavender, thyme, mint and lemon balm, motherwort, chamomile, fennel. Make a decoction or infusion as directed on the herb box and add to water during your nightly bath. The duration of such a procedure should be 5, maximum 10 minutes, regularity - 3 times a week.
If you don’t have the strength to brew decoctions, buy ready-made bags of baby soothing tea and add it to the bathroom.
It has a good calming effect on the nervous system of children.pine extract. You can also use regular table salt. Many modern parents love aromatherapy, but for such young children, we would not recommend essential oils.
In addition to how to arrange relaxing inhalations in the bathroom, you can provide the opportunity for the child to inhale soothing vapors in another way. For example, put water on the stove to boil and add one or even several herbs to it. You can drop mint tincture or the same motherwort - at the same time calm the whole family. Some mothers apply the product to a cotton swab and put it in the crib near the head. And if you have already found those plants that have a beneficial effect on the nervous system of your baby, then it is very convenient and practical to sew a soothing fragrant pillow, which, if necessary, can be placed near the head or hung by the crib.
Soothing teas for children up to a year
Almost all of the plants mentioned above can also be used as a soothing tea. But in order not to miss the dosage and not bother with cooking, it is better to buy ready-made children's fees. For the smallest, for example, tea "Soothing children's", "Evening fairy tale" and others are suitable. Detailed instructions for preparation and use are described on each of the packages.
If you are breastfeeding, then perhaps the best solution is to drink a soothing tea in the evening before going to bed 30-40 minutes before feeding. In this case, you will kill two birds with one stone with one shot. Just keep in mind that alcohol tinctures are not for children, no matter who says what. And each of the sedatives has other properties and abilities that it would not be superfluous to study before use. For example, motherwort lowers blood pressure, and if your blood pressure is already low, then it is better to choose something else.
Sedative medicines for children up to a year
In addition to the "improvised" sedatives, pharmacists can offer you a huge selection of ready-made medicines for such an action. Including for children up to a year there is plenty to choose from. Doctors often prescribe Nervochel, Viburkol, Edas, Zaisonok to small patients. Naughty, Capricious, Baby-Sed and others. But each of them should also be prescribed only by a pediatrician.
Keep in mind that if you already resort to treatment, then the problem needs to be addressed comprehensively. One sedative is unlikely to be enough. But perhaps this is not necessary. Reconsider your relationships in the family, to the child and to the situation. And everything will be fine!
Grow healthy!
Poor sleep in a child or a violation of its phases is a fairly common problem. This condition can be provoked by various factors - both internal and external.
For newborns and children under the age of 2-3 years, there are many sedative collections, cereals, infant formulas. But what should parents do if these methods are not enough? How to help an older child? When are sedatives and sleeping pills required? Let's consider in more detail.
Sometimes, to normalize a child’s sleep, eliminate irritability and tantrums, doctors attribute light sedatives and sleeping pills (we recommend reading:)Indications for the use of sleeping pills in children of different ages
Sleeping pills for children are prescribed by a doctor. It is impossible to treat your child with drugs of this group on your own. If the pediatrician believes that the use of "sleepy" tablets is necessary, then the minimum dosage and course of treatment is determined in order to obtain a positive result without harm to health.
For infants and children under the age of one year, sedatives are indicated for:
- postnatal encephalopathy;
- hydrocephalus of the brain.
If these pathologies are not diagnosed, then sleep disturbance is corrected by nutrition, care and increased attention of parents to the baby. At the age of one to three years, however, as in older children, sedatives are prescribed when insomnia is caused by the following factors:
- hyperactivity (more in the article:);
- diseases of the nervous system, which are accompanied by night terrors, nightmares, enuresis (we recommend reading:);
- neuroses;
- epilepsy;
- anxiety or panic disorders.
The doctor selects a sleeping pill based on the symptoms and age of the patient. Contraindications and negative consequences of taking sleeping pills
When prescribing a sleeping pill for a child, the pediatrician must take into account contraindications. Medicines of this group are not used in the treatment of babies with a history of decompensated diseases of the heart, kidneys, liver and blood vessels, severe forms of allergies.
Despite the fact that the minimum dose of the drug is always prescribed, the occurrence of side effects is difficult to avoid. In childhood, the following unwanted symptoms appear:
- constipation / diarrhea;
- dry mouth / constant thirst;
- nausea or vomiting;
- headache;
- weakness;
- spasms/cramps in the muscles;
- dizziness;
- impaired concentration;
- dyspeptic disorders;
- allergic reactions;
- uncontrolled limb movements.
Effective and safe sleeping pills
Sedative drugs and drugs that normalize sleep are used only in extreme cases. Usually, the doctor recommends first non-drug methods for correcting the pathological condition.
If the pediatrician nevertheless prescribed a sedative for your child, then several rules should be observed when taking it:
- the first and subsequent receptions should be immediately before bedtime;
- strictly adhere to the prescribed dose;
- drug withdrawal is carried out gradually so that repeated attacks of insomnia do not appear;
- if side effects occur, consult your doctor immediately.
For children of each age group, different sedatives are used. They are similar in therapeutic effect, but differ in the mechanism of action, composition and range of indications for use. Consider the features of "sleepy" medicines for children of different ages in more detail.
newborn
Sleeping pills for newborns are prescribed by a neurologist, and this is always associated with a serious painful condition of the baby. In other cases, mothers can use soothing teas and fees (more in the article:). The effect after taking such funds is less pronounced, but does not bring absolutely no harm to health.
In neurology, the following types of drugs are used to treat the smallest children:
| Name of the drug | Active substance | Characteristic | Allowed age |
| Phenibut (we recommend reading:) | Gamma-amino-beta-phenylbutyric acid | Nootropic agent, helps not only to increase the duration of daytime and nighttime sleep, but also has a positive effect on the nervous system. | 0 – 14 years old |
| Dormikind | Magnesium carbonate, Zincum Valerian, Cypripedium pubescens (Fluffy slipper) | Homeopathic medicine used for sleep disorders and increased nervous excitability. | 0 – 6 years |
| Magne B6 | Magnesium lactate dihydrate | It is produced in the form of drops and tablets. Effectively affects the central nervous system, especially if the child is diagnosed with magnesium deficiency. | For all ages |
| Pantogam (more in the article:) | Calcium hopantenate | For infants, it is available as a syrup. It has a positive effect on the functioning of the nervous system, improves cerebral circulation, normalizes sleep, muscle tone, and physical activity. It is prescribed for neuropsychiatric diseases, encephalopathy, etc. | Since birth |
For babies
Children up to a year are also prescribed the above drugs. In some cases, Hare syrup is used to treat babies. It is of plant origin, therefore it has a mild sedative effect and strengthens the central nervous system. Since the basis of the drug is herbs, the syrup has practically no contraindications. In children under 1 year old, it can be used as a food supplement.
Toddlers up to 3 years old
Children under 3 years of age grow and develop rapidly, many of them have a lack of calcium. This causes nervous breakdowns and provokes sleep disturbances.
Children aged 2-3 often have unreasonable tantrums, their mood changes quickly. If parents do not pay due attention to their child, then in the future such behavior can cause increased excitability and insomnia. To prevent these problems from occurring, a neurologist may prescribe sedative medications.
| Name of the drug | Active substance | Characteristic | Allowed age |
| Viburkol |
| The drug has a quick sedative effect. It is often prescribed by a pediatrician for nervous disorders associated with teething, as it additionally relieves inflammation and acute pain. | From 1 year |
| notta |
| Homeopathic remedy, produced in two forms (syrup, drops). Has a hypnotic effect. | As prescribed by a doctor, it is used in children from 2 years of age |
| Glycine |
| Broad-spectrum drug. Normalizes metabolic processes and sleep, soothes, increases efficiency. | From 1 year |
| Kindinorm |
| Normalizes the duration and phases of sleep. | From 1 year |
Children over 3 years old
Children older than 3 years, in addition to sleep disturbances, have problems associated with adaptation to kindergarten / school, relationships with peers and parents. Excessive physical activity at this age leads to fatigue, frequent stress and can cause nervous strain.
To protect the nervous system from increased excitability, to normalize sleep and brain activity, doctors often prescribe a course of sedative medication (10-14 days) for children. They have a similar effect - they calm, eliminate insomnia, improve emotional state, relieve tension and stress. These include:
- Tenoten tablets - from 3 years old (we recommend reading:);
- Sanosan - from 6 years old;
- Atomoxetine - from 5 years;
- Alora - from the age of 7;
- Persen - from the age of 12.