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 kindergarten or school. The modern pace of life contributes to the emergence stressful situations, both for adults and children. To cope with this condition, doctors often prescribe sedatives for children.
Nervousness, overexcitement, moodiness and sleep disturbances can occur in children at any age. And if in a child under one year old such deviations are associated with hunger, colic, and bloating, then in older children this condition can be provoked social factors. If you observe such behavior in your baby, it is advisable to consult a therapist and, if necessary, a neurologist. And if 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 functioning of an organism sensitive to weather changes, relieve cramps in the abdomen and improve (deepen) sleep. Most often used for this purpose herbal teas(decoctions), sedatives, homeopathy and traditional methods.
Herbal-based medications that calm 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. They should be prescribed by a doctor, selecting the dose depending on how old the child is.
The most popular plants are the following:
- valerian officinalis;
- motherwort;
- peppermint;
- lemon balm and others.
The main property of valerian is to relieve nervous excitement in a child or adult. It can have an antispasmodic effect, which is facilitated by the presence of essential oils and alkaloids. Valerian helps well with sleep disorders and is even indicated for infants.
Peppermint has a calming effect, can reduce pain, helps relieve spasms and dilate blood vessels. Its composition perfectly helps cope with nervous tension, stress and depression. Mint is indicated for neuroses and insomnia.
Thanks to useful substances, which are 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 separately at the pharmacy or as ready-made mixtures. Instant teas are specially produced for children under one year of age. Their action depends on the composition. In addition to herbs for calming, it often includes fennel and chamomile, which help improve functioning. gastrointestinal tract. Sometimes children are prescribed the drug plant origin- Persen. It contains herbs that help cope with anxiety 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.
Medicines
The large flow of information that bombards children from birth continues unabated during the first years of life. Add here an early hobby computer games, mobile phones, tablets, TV, and you will 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 work nervous system, apply medications.
The leader among such drugs is the drug Glycine. It contains an amino acid that helps the child to unwind emotionally. At the same time, the intensity of excitation processes decreases, sleep normalizes, and brain activity improves. Others may be prescribed in combination with it. sedatives– Pantogam, Magne B6, Citral, Phenibut.
If the doctor is concerned 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 can relieve feelings of anxiety and fear. The disadvantage of their use is that they become very quickly addictive. Therefore, they are used only in rare cases and for a very short time. In this case, the small patient must be under the supervision of a doctor.
Some specialists use the drug Citral in their practice. It is based on plant components and bromine. The last component can lead to negative consequences (apathy, sleepiness, memory impairment), so you should not take this remedy for a long time.
Keep in mind that many medications for children are only suitable for certain age groups. Therefore, the treatment of nervous excitement in a 3-year-old child will differ from the scheme prescribed for a 7-year-old child.
Homeopathy
One of the treatment options prescribed by the doctor is homeopathic medicines. They differ in their composition and effects from products for plant based. Depending on the problem, you may be prescribed one of the following medications:
- Dormikind;
- Bayu-Bai;
- Valerianahel;
- Bunny and others.
If you are concerned about sleep disturbances in a child under 6 years of age and his increased excitability, then small Dormikind tablets will help you cope with it. The cause of violations can be either admission to kindergarten, relocation or divorce. Valerianhel is an analogue of Dormikind and can also be used for babies up to one year old.
Hare syrup will be a delicious addition to daily diet, and thanks to the special composition it will not cause allergies.
The drug Bayu-Bai is usually prescribed to children after 5 years of age. In addition to the herbal component, these drops 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 improve performance, concentration and normalize all phases of sleep.
Traditional methods
Folk methods that our grandmothers used can help solve the problem of overexcitation and sleep disturbances.
For example, you can put a special scented pillow in your baby's bed. It's very easy to do. To do this, just fill a simple pillow with aromatic soothing herbs (mint, lemon balm). But before you do this, make sure that your child is not allergic to them. You can use those plants that are sold in the pharmacy or prepare them specifically for the summer.
A warm bath with the addition of herbs helps you relax. To do this, pour an infusion of soothing herbs into a bathtub 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 can be easily purchased at any pharmacy. If we are talking about a baby, then doctors recommend using only one herb.
Baths with a very beneficial effect on the body sea salt. In addition to their calming effect, they enrich the skin important microelements. Such baths are good for children with birth trauma, rickets and sleep disorders.
Nowadays, intensive development of the baby is encouraged; does the child’s increased sensitivity always give results in studies and social adaptation, without negative behavioral reactions, whims and worries? Modern research warn parents against inattention to children, against emotional and physical overload for children, against stress and fatigue.
In cases where pedagogical correction has no power over the child’s reactions, when a problem is discovered and its manifestations reduce the child’s quality of life, it is worth thinking about using adequate sedative therapy. Appeared in childhood emotional manifestations may lead to character difficulties in mature age. In case of excessive manifestation, the following can be considered dangerous:
- irritability;
- unsociability, fear of strangers and new acquaintances;
- conditions;
- prolonged tearfulness;
- insomnia.
They can lead to unpredictable consequences and antisocial habits in the future. The most common behavioral disorder from infancy to adolescence is insomnia.
Causes of insomnia in children
When a baby in the second year of life has problems with digestion, teething or evening overstimulation, no correction is required. Rather, you should help the child by trying to fix the problem. IN next period development, from 3 to 6 years, bad dream A preschooler may have many reasons; first of all, such a child needs a strict regime, no emotional overload during the day and a balanced diet. Having traced all aspects of the baby’s life, the likelihood of finding the cause of insomnia will increase and there will be hope for a speedy normalization of sleep.
Start school life associated with changes in mental development children, schoolchildren often find themselves unprepared for the changed regime and various loads. Insomnia that occurs against this background indicates overexcitation of the child’s nervous system; anxiety, irritability, and restlessness may also be present. In these cases, you should seek advice from a pediatrician; he will probably select the appropriate one or advise you to consult a neurologist.
What sedatives can be given to children?
Many parents are interested in what types of calming pills for children, which can be given in case of deviant behavior of the child. Without consulting a specialist, you cannot take measures to prescribe medications on your own. This can lead to negative consequences; in addition, children often have a reverse reaction even to a drug prescribed by a doctor.
To restore emotional stability and relieve there are different types medications that can be used to bring a child into active interaction with outside world with a positive attitude towards what is happening.
Sedatives for children
Medications for anxiety and insomnia in children have metabolic or nootropic properties with a sedative effect. Frequently used ones include, for example, those that contain an active amino acid. The drug has a weak sedative and antidepressant effect and is prescribed for nervousness, sleep disorders and many other indications. It has virtually no contraindications and can be prescribed to children from birth.
Among the most common means of eliminating anxiety are calming tablets for children, for example, for children from 3 years of age in the form of lozenges. For many diseases of the nervous system and increased excitability, doctors prescribe, the positive effect of which is noticeable after just a couple of days of use.
Children's sedatives from one year
Sedatives are not recommended for use in children over one year of age, since the baby’s psyche is too imperfect, but drugs proven by many generations, for example, “Glycine,” are prescribed even to newborns for encephalopathies and sleep disorders. The effect of the drug is considered harmless. Magne B6 solution for oral administration is indicated for children from one year of age and is used for minor sleep disturbances, irritability, increased fatigue and rapid heartbeat.
Children's sedative from 3 years
WITH three years There is a wide selection of sedatives for children. The body of an older child responds better to correction. The homeopathic drug "Tenoten" for children has proven itself well. The drug can also be prescribed by a specialist to a child from 3 years of age under appropriate supervision. The complex (the drug in tablet form is indicated for children from 6 years of age) will also regulate the problem of insomnia, strengthen emotions, and give strength and health. At minimum side effects drugs can be prescribed to patients without risk to health.
Sedative for children from 6-7 years old
Used children's sedative tablets for junior schoolchildren consist of both herbal products and artificially synthesized components. Group components belonging to homeopathic remedies, can make your baby's life easier.
Sedatives for children over 10 years of age
All children's sedatives for older children are prescribed by doctors after a thorough analysis of the collected information about the child. Prescribed (over 12 years) will help avoid sleep disturbances and lift your mood, allowing you to look at events positively.
Homeopathic sedatives for children
Homeopathic remedies for relieving anxiety in children are widely used in our country. The actions of these drugs help eliminate the problem of emotional tension, have a gentle effect on the structures of the nervous system, relieve irritability, and eliminate the feeling of fear.
Infusions in homeopathy are prepared with alcohol and when using them, the dosage must be strictly observed so as not to harm the child. At the start school year or a change of situation, doctors recommend popular ones, which include infusions of motherwort, hawthorn, peony, and oregano. Regular use of these drops helps normalize sleep and give the child a break from emotional turmoil.
Interesting facts about sedatives for children
- A person's sleep phases alternate, so a child can be more active when he is not sleeping soundly: he tosses and turns, expresses sensations, screams, and this is the norm.
- Homeopathic medicines are available both in infusions and in capsules, tablets, and dragees. You can choose the form that suits your child by consulting your doctor.
- An alternative to oral remedies is a soothing bath.
While adults can cope with nervous tension, in children it is expressed in the form of whims, anxiety, hysterics and hyperactive behavior. A restless and nervous child at any age exhausts the patience of parents and annoys others. The baby screams all the time, the older baby does not listen to adults, schoolchildren have problems with their studies, and teenagers develop aggressive and deviant behavior.
How can you help your child calm down? The possibilities of modern pharmacotherapy are almost limitless, but how advisable is it to give a child pills and other sedatives?
The pharmaceutical market offers great amount safe drugs for correction nervous conditions in babiesThe role of sedatives and their types
Sedatives are psychotropic drugs that have a general sedative effect on the central nervous system. They gently restore the balance of excitation and inhibition processes in the cerebral cortex, reducing the severity of the reaction to external stimuli.
Sedatives reduce daytime activity and can be used as sleep aids. They facilitate the onset of natural night rest, making it deeper and longer.
Medicines that have a sedative effect include:
- herbal products (extracts of valerian, peony, motherwort, passionflower);
- preparations containing magnesium and bromine salts (sulfate, lactate, magnesium citrate, potassium and sodium bromide);
- medications based on barbituric acid derivatives (barbiturates in minimal doses);
- tranquilizers (anxiolytics) and antipsychotics.
In addition, 1st generation antihistamines and some painkillers have a sedative effect. Before giving any sedatives to children, you should consult a doctor.
Indications for the use of sedatives
Sedatives for children should not be purchased without medical reasons. The main indications for use are increased irritability, uncontrollable emotions, sleep disturbances, significant headaches, and other nervous system disorders.
In newborns and infants, signs of high nervous excitability include severe anxiety, crying and screaming for no obvious reason, and refusal to eat. In older children, a neurosis-like state manifests itself as anxiety, emotional lability, neurocirculatory dystonia (headaches, racing blood pressure, fatigue) and attention deficit disorder.
Sedatives of both herbal and synthetic origin are usually well tolerated by patients of any age. Contraindications for use are individual hypersensitivity and intolerance to the drug or its components, and in some cases, childhood.
List of effective sedatives
Drug therapy for increased nervous excitability and night sleep disturbances in children is prescribed by a doctor. In pediatric practice, specially developed homeopathy preparations or safe herbal medicines are most often used.
When taking any pediatric sedatives, it is very important to follow these rules:
- the product should not be used for more than 2 weeks;
- You should stop taking it immediately if, within three days of regular use, the desired effect is not achieved or if side effects occur.
What can you give to a baby?
For healthy infants under 1 month of age, any homeopathic and synthetic medications are contraindicated. However, if the child has serious illnesses (hydrocephalic syndrome, organic brain damage), it is possible to prescribe a mixture with citral from two weeks of age. The mixture is prepared in a pharmacy according to a doctor’s prescription and contains the following components in various versions:
- Citral. Essential oil citrus fruits. Has a mild calming effect, reduces elevated intracranial pressure.
- Magnesia (magnesium sulfate). Mild sedative and hypotensive effect.
- Valerian or motherwort extract. Reduces high excitability of the nervous system, relieves spasms of smooth muscles.
- Sodium bromide. Restores the balance between the processes of excitation and inhibition in the cerebral cortex.
- Diphenhydramine. Antihistamine first generation, having a sedative, calming effect.
- Glucose in aqueous solution.
- Distilled water.
In babies 1- one month old Soothing herbal teas based on chamomile are approved for use. Ready-made chamomile tea in bags is sold at the pharmacy. You can also try Herb tea“Chamomile Fleur Alpine”, which has a calming effect and normalizes the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, eliminates spasms, colic and flatulence. It is made on the basis of linden flowers, mint, lemon balm and chamomile, and can improve the quality of children's sleep.
From 2 months of age, a restless baby can be given a decoction of valerian. From 3-4 months, baby granulated soothing teas “Bebivita”, “Hipp”, tea with lemon balm are recommended.
For slightly older children - from 5 months - you can offer bagged herbal tea “Babushkino Lukoshko” with lemon balm, thyme and fennel. The action of the components is aimed at calming and eliminating spasms, destroying pathogens, thyme has an expectorant effect.
From 6 months of age, it is possible to use the “Evening Tale” herbal tea mixture containing anise, mint, fennel and lavender. All medicinal fees do not contain preservatives or artificial colors.
Calming products for babies 1-3 years old
To normalize sleep and harmonize the behavior of children from 1 to 3 years old, the homeopathic drug “Kindinorm” is recommended. Granules containing extracts of valerian and chamomile are kept in the mouth until completely dissolved.
To treat increased restlessness and anxiety in children of this age group, homeopathic tablets for resorption “Dormikind”. In the absence of contraindications, tablets based on the medicinal plant small-flowered slipper (Cypripedium) can also be used for babies under one year old, after dissolving them in a teaspoon of water.
Medicines for children 3-7 years old
From the age of three, homeopathic drops “Bayu-Bai” are approved for use as a child sedative. They contain extracts of mint, chamomile, oregano, lemon balm, and linden blossom. Being biologically active additive, the drops will gently soothe and help the child adapt to the change from the usual home environment to a new collective one. For example, the product will not allow the development of an acute stress reaction in children 2 years old who are preparing to visit kindergarten, or in children 7-8 years old preparing for school.
Increased excitability, attention disorder, restlessness, anxiety, sleep disorders in children preschool age serve as indications for the prescription of homeopathic Notta drops. This drug complex action based on oat and chamomile extracts will improve tolerance psycho-emotional stress, normalizes sleep.
Granules with a sedative effect “Shalun”, intended for use from 5 years of age, will be effective for children. They contain plant components, the balls are held in the mouth until completely dissolved. “Naughty” can also be used for older children.
Funds for schoolchildren from 7 years old
To calm younger schoolchildren and teenagers, both homeopathic and synthetic drugs are used. The first include “Baby-sed” granules and “Valerianahel” drops.
Combined-action drugs, such as “Persen”, “Novopassit”, are used for stress, increased nervous tension, neurasthenia, and anxiety in children over 12 years of age. Usually prescribed as part of complex therapy with serious disorders of the central nervous system.
On the list synthetic drugs for the treatment of nervous hyperexcitability:
- Phenibut (more details in the article:). It has a nootropic effect and relieves nervous tension.
- Magne B6. Replenishing the deficiency of magnesium (the main microelement of the nervous system), improving neuromuscular conduction, and therefore stress tolerance.
- Glycine (more details in the article:). Regulates metabolism in brain cells, reduces psycho-emotional stress.
Drugs with hypnotic effects
The most effective sleeping pills are traditionally considered to be barbiturates (Phenobarbital) and complex preparations containing them (Corvalol, Valoserdin). The main disadvantages of barbituric acid derivatives are rapid addiction, withdrawal symptoms leading to complete insomnia, and the development of dependence.
IN modern therapy For sleep disturbances, benzodiazepine anxiolytics are increasingly used - Phenazepam, Nitrazepam, Nozemam. These drugs are potent, also addictive, and are prescribed strictly by a doctor for a short period of time.
Is it possible to improve a child's condition without resorting to pills?
Is it really worth feeding your baby pills? First we need to understand the reason for it nervous overstrain and eliminate this factor.
In case of a crying baby everything is simple: if the child is healthy, then he should be fed, changed, picked up and rocked. One of the best ways to calm babies is sucking, so if the baby does not take the breast, you need to give a pacifier. At breastfeeding It is advisable for mom to drink soothing teas herself, then active substances crumbs will enter the body with milk. It is important not to scream or swear in the presence of a child, not to approach the baby in a state of irritation, and to walk outside more.
A daily routine, feeding at the same time, regular walks and familiar games create a feeling of calm and reliability, forming so-called “islands” or “safety anchors”.
The baby’s psyche records individual moments in life, linking them with certain experiences. Creating bedtime routines helps your child's brain cope with daily stress.
A relaxing massage, soothing music, lullabies, and warm aromatic baths will not be superfluous. To take a bath, add a decoction of medicinal herbs to warm water: mint, valerian, chamomile, thyme, pine extract, sea salt. The duration of the procedure is no more than 15 minutes.
Quiet, unobtrusive music creates a special atmosphere in the house, and the baby will calmly fall asleep to the mother’s favorite voice, which the baby hears even before birth. Some infants fall asleep under " White noise» – a smooth sound background, reminiscent of the usual sounds in the womb. With a high probability, it is to this kind of music that the baby will fall asleep in a fairly short time.
It is generally accepted that the problem of hyperactivity in children of preschool and primary school age is associated with a lack of attention, affection and love from parents (we recommend reading:). The psyche of children is easily vulnerable and delicate due to the immaturity of the brain, and parents, due to their busyness, often do not notice the stress reaction and development of neurosis in their child, explaining excessive impressionability and irritability by growing up and “difficult periods of age.”
You need to understand that not every neurotic disorder needs to be treated with medications. Parental love and care must be felt by the child, otherwise the little neurotic will grow into a complex and unlucky adult. Perhaps awareness of parental love and one’s need will give the child much more strength and peace of mind than any medicine.
Update: November 2018
A restless child of any age is a rather serious problem, exhausting the patience of parents and often irritating others.
Modern pharmacology is ready to provide a wide selection of drugs that can calm the most violent child or teenager. But how advisable is it to resort to different groups sedatives in pediatric practice? Let's try to figure it out.
Sedatives for children
Sedatives (sedatives) are designed to gently regulate the balance between excitation and inhibition in the cerebral cortex. Most of them - herbal preparations, but there are also synthetic products. Today, combination drugs in teas or tablets are very popular. This group of drugs acts much more mildly than tranquilizers or sleeping pills, and can enhance their effect.
Staying awake at night
Infants 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, let out a heart-rending scream for hours until four in the morning.
Let’s immediately make a reservation that a healthy child during the first three months of life normally eats and sleeps most of the day and night. No early development can justify staying awake more than four hours a day at this age. And a grown-up baby, under one and a half years old, should sleep at night for ten hours in a row (provided that he is fed and changed).
- Consequences of hypoxia
What makes infant start screaming or just stay awake at odd hours? As a rule, the culprit is cerebral hypoxia suffered in utero or during childbirth and subsequent postnatal encephalopathy, which is completely rejected by Western neurologists, but which, however, calmly exists even without this recognition.
Lack of oxygen, leading to damage to some of the cells of the cerebral cortex, and even to hemorrhages in different parts of the brain, leaves behind either a swelling of the child’s head and disturbing him with a headache, or dysfunction of the cortex, which affects the baby’s nervous excitability.
For newborn children who have confused day with night (born from mothers who liked to stay up at night during pregnancy), the above is not relevant, since this category of babies quickly becomes part of the normal schedule with careful adherence to the daily regimen already during the first month of life.
- Intestinal problems
The second common cause of restless behavior in an infant is intestinal discomfort due to dysbacteriosis, poor feeding or intestinal infection. Distension of the intestine by gases causes such severe pain that the child is ready to rage and scream most of the day (see).
The third, rarer pathology that makes a baby cry is inflammation of the middle ear (otitis), in which the pain is also not weak, and there is no way to endure it without pain relief.
Rachitic lesions of the nervous system are also a common problem, especially for northern latitudes. In addition to sweating, the child develops a hyperreaction to sudden noises, he starts in his sleep and generally becomes overly restless.
And only somewhere in fifth place are teething teeth, so beloved by pediatricians (which rarely actually cause any of the babies to sleep at night or scream loudly) and other diseases that have quite expressive symptoms (fever, snot, cough, or, at worst, some kind of rash).
To calm a baby, you need to follow the following algorithm
- Feed
- Change clothes
- Pick it up and rock it. Remember that Dr. Spock’s recommendations that the child will yell and get used to falling asleep on his own have already been given to a couple of generations of neurotics who, from infancy, are accustomed to achieve everything only by heart-rending screaming. Calm the child as soon as he screams, do not make him hysterical - this becomes the baby’s habit and then it is much more difficult to cope with it.
- If your baby can't breastfeed as much as he needs, buy a pacifier. For infants, sucking is the best sedative.
- Show it to a pediatrician and neurologist.
- Perform an ultrasound of the brain and have a stool culture tested for dysbacteriosis.
- Compensate for intracranial pressure (if any) with diacarb or magnesium. At severe forms If you have hydrocephalus, consult a neurosurgeon and, if necessary, perform shunting (see)
- Sanitize the intestines in case of dysbacteriosis (with bacteriophages or), then take a couple of courses of probiotics (premadophilus, linex, bifidumbacterin, see). At the same time, give the child antifoam agents that break up gas bubbles (Bebicalm, Espumisan, Bobotik).
- At the same time, show the child to an ENT specialist and rule out ear inflammation.
- Transfer the child to breastfeeding according to age, adjust the mother's diet (for breastfeeding, see), stop overfeeding and feed cabbage soup from five months onwards (see).
- Don't neglect prophylactic use vitamin D. If in the region where the baby lives, the sun does not shine eight hours a day for five months a year, it is foolish 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 the baby's daily routine. Walk more with your baby. Restless and rambunctious children should be dressed warmly and put to bed with the window open.
- Don't be nervous when approaching your child. Do not shout or swear in his presence. Take herbal sedatives yourself.
Thus, the only situation when a baby from birth to one year really needs sedatives is postnatal encephalopathy. In all other cases you just need Attentive attitude 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 babies
If a neurologist has diagnosed a baby with postnatal encephalopathy, if the child is too restless (sleeps little, screams a lot) and has no other diseases that could interfere with his life, you should listen to the neurologist’s recommendations regarding sedatives.
For intracranial hypertension:
- As a rule, most infants with intracranial hypertension come to a balanced state of mind already from banal diuretics.
- In parallel with them, the child may be recommended a mixture with citral, which is prepared in pharmacies according to a prescription from a neurologist. The composition of the drug includes:
- magnesium sulfate, which lowers pressure in the head, has a calming and mild hypnotic effect
- sedative sodium bromide
- valerian, which inhibits the nervous system.
It is necessary to strictly follow the recommended dosages, since valerian can reduce heartbeat. Valerian prevents the destruction of substances in the brain that block inhibitory processes. It calms, enhances the effect of sleeping pills, and relieves intestinal spasms.
For rickets: Children with rachitic lesions of the nervous system are usually bathed with sea salt or pine extract.
Breastfeeding mothers You can recommend soothing teas and infusions sold in pharmacies (provided that they do not cause allergies in the little one). The same soothing teas are also available in the departments baby food for the children themselves.
When bathing babies You can add tincture of valerian or motherwort to the water (40 drops per baby bath), not forgetting that alcohol solutions not recommended even for external use in children. , lemon balm or also relax kids. Perforatum herb is also recommended.
- 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 the bath, the duration of the procedure is 15 minutes.
- Soothing pine bath- perfectly relieves the baby’s agitation, but take it no more than 5 minutes and no more than 12 baths per course.
- Sea salt bath- also perfectly calms and is recommended even for newborn babies. You can bathe your child for up to 30 minutes by dissolving 250 mg in the bath. sea salt.
This is a more serious sedative, often prescribed to infants up to one year of age (although the instructions indicate a contraindication for children up to 2 years of age). It removes anxiety, irritability and fear, causes drowsiness, relieves increased muscle tone and excessive motor activity in children. However, it has side effects such as excessive drowsiness, allergic reactions, headaches, kidney and liver dysfunction. |
 The nootropic drug Pantogam (hopantenic acid) is often prescribed. It not only improves nutrition of damaged areas of the cortex, but also removes increased tone muscles, smoothes out obsessive motor activity, helps with motor disorders, delayed psychomotor development. True, today it refers to drugs with unproven effects, since extensive randomized studies have not been conducted on the drug (extensive practical experience of use in pediatric neurology does not count, since the manufacturing campaign did not spend money on clinical studies). |
From one to three years
Having survived the baby's first year, most parents enter an 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 year, received any sedatives. After all, the children's nervous system is at the stage of development and has enormous potential for self-healing.
However, some children continue to have anxiety and sleep disorders. Some 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 educational neglect. Therefore, for example, replacing the problem of deprivation with a medical diagnosis and replacing full-fledged education and love for a child with sedative drugs is not only illiterate, but also criminal.
At home, folk sedatives can be prepared independently. Here are a couple of simple recipes:
- Mint and linden - take one part each peppermint and linden flowers. Add half of the chamomile. Pour everything with two glasses of boiling water and bring to a boil in a water bath. Infuse in an enamel bowl. Give your child a tablespoon twenty minutes before bedtime.
- Mint and valerian- pour two tablespoons of mint and valerian root into two glasses of boiling water and leave for half an hour. Strain, cool, give the child a tablespoon three times a day for a week.
Many people believe that if a drug is herbal, it can be used without control, without restrictions, even “the more, the better” - both for infants and older children. However, medicinal plants are also medicines, the composition of which is complex and has a very ambiguous effect; many plants in their composition contain, although small doses, harmful compounds, and you should definitely consult a pediatrician or herbalist before use.
For example, children should not drink tea with only mint or only lemon balm (mono tea). Calming teas for babies usually contain valerian, chamomile, fennel seeds, string, linden blossom, etc. - calming teas “Evening Tale”, “Calming for Children”, “Calm”, Phytosedan, Bayu-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, rose hips, stevia. |
Rhizomes and roots of valerian, dandelion, mint, walnut leaves, plantain, stevia, hawthorn, caraway fruits, rose hips, hops, oregano, St. John's wort, fireweed (fireweed), motherwort, yarrow, thyme, echinacea, black tea, hibiscus, chamomile |
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Anise, lavender, mint extract |
Sweet clover, valerian roots, thyme, motherwort, oregano |
Hawthorn fruit extract, oregano, peony, motherwort, peppermint, glutamic and citric acid |
Extract of linden blossom, lemon balm and chamomile, dextrose. |
Calming tablets for hyperactive children
Denying the existence, Western neurologists, psychologists and psychiatrists practicing in children's environments are very inclined to diagnose hyperactivity and distracted attention. But not only make diagnoses, but also fully treat patients with these ailments, incorporating many drugs with a calming effect into the process.
All nootropics improve metabolic processes only in pathologically altered cortex. That is, they are effective in areas damaged oxygen starvation or hemorrhage, but do not work on a healthy brain. But all the cells that could be restored were already restored at the age of early childhood (up to three years).
Here is a list of drugs that can be used to treat absent-minded attention and hyperactivity, but it is useless:
- Polypeptides: Cortexin, Cerebrolysin
- Racetams: Piracetam, Nootropil, Roliziracetam
- Neuropeptides: Semax
- Gamma-aminobutyric acid derivatives: Phenibut, Picamilon, Pantogam.
The sedatives that are used 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 brain-specific protein S 10
- Nervoflux tea - a mixture of extracts of valerian root, hop cones, lemon balm, licorice root, orange blossom
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40 tab. 230 -250 rub. |
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40 tab. 170 - 220 rub. Composition: antibodies to brain-specific protein S-100 |
Glycine
Over the past decade, the practice of prescribing it to children has gained momentum. Actually sedative in pure form This drug is not, but refers to, nootropics. This is an amino acid that is found in 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 tablets are easily tolerated by children and are readily accepted by them, but are unlikely to have any significant sedative effect (at least in the dosages that are accepted in children's practice). Like all modern ones nootropic drugs, this medicine refers to drugs with an unproven effect, that is, its prescription remains at the discretion of the attending physician, and the medicine is not included in the neurological standards.
Homeopathic sedatives and dietary supplements for children
Adhering to the principle of “treat like with like,” homeopaths would have to compose their preparations from a mixture of roaring, capricious whining and causeless jumps from the floor to the walls and back. However, these far-sighted healers still resort to the same herbal sedatives, seasoning them with sugar and serving them in the form of sweet peas, which most children mistake for candy, so they eat without any problems. There are also sweet syrups, which also go great. In this regard, in this matter, homeopaths and I are not at all against homeopathic sedatives for children.
The following homeopathic sedatives are available today:
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Thus, sedatives in children's practice this is always a forced necessity. It cannot be considered that taking such medications for a child is an everyday practice and normal position business
Sedatives are medications that must be prescribed by a doctor according to strict indications in certain doses and for a specific period of time, after which the drug must be discontinued. More than half of the problems associated with children's anxiety are caused by the 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 may suffer from unreasonable intake medicines.
2 years is the age at which children often develop manifestations of hyperexcitability. Such cases are associated with stress, which undermined the baby’s psyche. Therefore, moodiness and nervousness, in a sense, can be perceived not as costs of improper upbringing, but as a disorder that requires treatment.
Causes of nervousness in babies
There are a huge number of factors that can cause whims in a baby. Basically, all these are situations that bring discomfort or pain to the child. Thus, dysfunction of the nervous system can be provoked by the following reasons:
- hunger;
- teething;
- intestinal colic;
- colds;
- excessive activity of the baby in the evening.
Sometimes a child’s nervousness and capriciousness are associated with mental pathologies, but such cases do not occur so often and are usually easily identified by a specialist in a medical institution.
Manifestations of increased excitability
2 years is assigned if their behavior is characterized by the following manifestations:
- problems with sleep, as well as with putting the baby to bed;
- frequent moodiness and tearfulness;
- constant hysterics.
It is worth understanding that these symptoms may not accurately indicate the need for therapy. Often you can cope with them by simply putting the child to sleep and eliminating the irritant. Therefore, before you start giving your baby sedatives, it is better to visit a pediatrician. He will examine the young patient and give the parents all the necessary recommendations.
Medicinal sedatives
If you don't trust folk medicine, then, of course, you can turn to the traditional one for help. However, it is worth understanding that the use of medications intended to reduce hyperexcitability in a child should only occur under the supervision of a pediatrician. In addition, sedatives for children 2 years old are prescribed with extreme caution, since at such a tender age the body is still poorly formed and can easily succumb to attack chemical substances. This means that there is a risk of developing side effects that affect the kidneys, liver, stomach or other vital organs.
Sedatives pharmaceutical drugs for the little ones they are sold in two forms: tablets or syrup.
Tablets for children two years old
The classic version of drugs to reduce the activity of the nervous system is most popular among pediatricians. This is explained by the ease of use of the products: the tablet can simply be crushed to a powder and given to the baby along with food.
The most famous medicine is Glycine. The drug is even prescribed because it has a mild sedative effect on the body. You can use the data for children 2 years old to normalize sleep and relieve nervous tension. The product contains a special amino acid that not only inhibits mental processes in the body, but has a positive effect on the functioning of the brain.
An excellent alternative to Glycine is a drug called Phenibut. It helps relieve emotional stress and also improves baby's sleep. The drugs “Pantogam” and “Magne B 6” have the same effect.
Products produced in the form of syrup
Medicines of this type are less aggressive towards the child’s body, so parents have developed much more trust in them. Among many analogues medications, which relieve nervous tension, it is worth highlighting the same “Pantogam”. Previously it was said that it is available in the form of tablets, but there is also a commercially available liquid form medicines. Soft for children from 2 years old helps to relieve the baby from insomnia and even cramps. It is noteworthy that the product is not addictive in a child, so it can be used for a long time until the symptoms of nervous tension pass. This feature puts Pantogam on the list of favorites among sedatives.
Tranquilizing drugs
In extremely rare cases, pediatricians prescribe medications such as Elenium, Phenazepam and Tazepam to young patients. These medications belong to the class of tranquilizers, so you need to be extremely careful with them. Such drugs are strictly contraindicated to be given to children without a doctor’s recommendation, as they strongly depress the nervous system and can cause addiction in the body. Similar sedatives for children 2 years old are used for severe stress.
Homeopathy for nervous overexcitation in a child
Recently, homeopathic medicines have become widespread among medicinal products for children. They usually do not contain special instructions and contraindications, and also have a mild effect on children's body. Most often, the following homeopathic remedies are used to reduce the hyperexcitability of babies:
- "Little Bunny."
- "Notta."
- "Dormikind."
- "Viburcol."
The principle of action of all these drugs is almost the same, however, these drugs still have their own characteristics. Thus, Viburkol drops or suppositories not only relieve irritability, but also reduce inflammation along with painful sensations during the baby’s teething period. And if you are looking for a sedative for a child (2 years old) that helps normalize sleep, then “Notta” or “Dormikind” will do. As for the “Hare” product, parents cannot have any complaints about it at all. The drug is produced on the basis of fructose, which completely eliminates the development of allergic reactions or side effects in the baby.
Special baby food
It doesn’t always mean that a child needs to be taken to a pediatrician immediately for practical recommendations. Many caring mothers are trying to cope with this more simple methods. One of these is the use of special cereals. Baby food manufacturers produce a series of products designed to help your baby sleep soundly at night and experience less hunger. Such cereals can be used as a kind of sedative for a 2-year-old child. Reviews from parents note the following infant formulas:
- "Nutrilon Good night."
- "Good night hip."
- “Humana Sweet Dreams.”
- "Unworthy of Happy Dreams."
Thanks to the presence of a complex of cereals, the baby receives a sufficient amount before bedtime nutrients and as a result, you remain full all night. This saves him from frequent awakenings. In addition, some porridges contain soothing herbs that provide the basis for sound and restful sleep.
Herbs to reduce hyperexcitability
If doctors prescribe medications to children with some caution, then folk remedies not even prohibited for infants. To cope with the child’s excessive activity, parents can start using sedative herbs. For children 2 years old, recipes based on the following plants are suitable:
- calendula - helps eliminate inflammatory processes and improve sleep;
- valerian relieves children from stress and nervous tension;
- sage actively fights colds and relaxes the baby’s psyche;
- chamomile - relieves tension and pain during intestinal colic;
- mint helps sleep soundly and good mood;
- thyme has an active sedative effect and has anti-inflammatory properties.
As a rule, medicinal soothing plants are used for preparing teas and infusions or for bathing a baby (when making baths).
Herbal teas
The beauty of using such products is that they can be given to babies from the first years of life. It is better to start preparing soothing teas for children 2 years old based on any one component in order to be able to study the effect of using each medicinal herb. In addition, if an allergic reaction occurs, it will not be difficult to identify its cause. Over time, it will be possible to formulate the most suitable herbal mixture.
It is quite possible to arrange plants yourself, but if you don’t want to do this, you can purchase a ready-made mixture at the pharmacy. It is important that all rules for the preparation and storage of medicinal herbs are followed, so you should avoid purchasing them on the market.
Soothing mint tea
In folk medicine, there are recipes based on complexes medicinal plants. Tea made from mint and hop leaves is an excellent sedative for 2-year-old children. The ingredients should be mixed in proportions 2:2:1 respectively. One tablespoon of the resulting mixture must be poured with a glass of boiling water, and then left for 20-30 minutes. The decoction is given to the baby several times a day and always before bedtime.
Rose hip and linden tea
To prepare this remedy, you need to take one part of linden flowers and rose hips. The components are mixed and filled with water. Next, you need to bring to a boil, for this it is advisable to use a water bath. It is advisable to leave the drink for about 15 minutes, and add a spoonful of honey to it before use.
Chamomile tea
This recipe is ideal for calming a child in the evening and providing him with a base. herbal collection crushed chamomile flowers are taken. Five parts of the latter product are mixed with linden and lemon balm (1 part each). To prepare a sedative for a child (2 years old), you need to add water to the herbal mixture and bring it to a boil. Cooled tea is given to the baby about 15-20 minutes before bedtime.
Herbal baths
Baths with the addition of medicinal plants will help reduce the activity of the baby in the evening and at night. It is advisable to carry out such procedures immediately before putting the baby in the crib. In order for the child to get maximum and noticeable benefits from the bath, it is necessary to prepare it correctly. First you need to brew a strong decoction based on the selected herbal mixture. It is recommended to add thyme, lemon balm, motherwort and nettle to the baths. Like other sedatives for children 2 years old, medicinal water procedures must be carried out in courses. It is optimal to take herbal baths once every two days for three weeks. After this, it is advisable to take a break for at least a month.
Means for reducing nervous tension in children: reviews
Each parent chooses his own way to calm his child. For some, special milk formulas are enough, while others diligently prepare herbal decoctions. It is worth noting that not everyone uses medicinal sedatives for children 2 years old. Reviews from many parents prove that in the absence of disorders of the nervous system of the baby, it is possible to cope with stress using traditional methods. As some mothers noted, even ordinary herbal baths are enough for restless sleep. Seeing a doctor is only necessary if home therapy does not help. In this case, the pediatrician draws up a treatment plan for the baby.
In order for the baby to feel good, it is necessary to provide him with not only physiological, but also psychological comfort. If this condition has been violated, then you can try to correct the situation by using a sedative for the child. 2 years is the age when babies are very susceptible to stress, so such cases occur quite often.
