Medications
Today, pharmacies offer us the widest choice of medicines against kinetosis, but the use of many of them is permissible only after 10-12 years. The purpose of a particular drug, its dosage and the way it is used should come from a pediatrician or neurologist.
Many of the drugs are taken in advance (half an hour before the trip) so that they manage to prevent unpleasant symptoms of motion sickness. Some drugs simply reduce the excitability of the vestibular apparatus, which helps prevent nausea and dizziness. The doctor will recommend you to use such medicines only if the trip is to be long, and the toddler suffers transport very badly. For the prevention of such drugs are not accepted. Any such remedy may have side effects, expressed, for example, in allergies. Give the child a medicine only if it has already been shaken earlier (so as not to provoke the attack again). If the trip is not planned for a long time (no more than one hour), try to avoid the use of medications.
All means against kinetosis are divided into several groups.
- The main group are special drugs that suppress the symptoms of motion sickness. Their main effect is the penetration into the nervous system of the child, where they directly reduce the influx of impulses from the vestibular apparatus. Due to this it is possible to suppress lightheadedness, vomiting and dizziness. In early childhood (from one year) it is permissible to use Drimin's drug. Preparations Ciel and Kinedryl are allowed to be used from two years. Please note, these medicines have an impressive list of side effects: thirst and dry mouth, increased heart rate, influence on eyesight and pressure, marked sedation. The drug is taken an hour before the trip.
- The other group includes homeopathic remedies: Kokkulin (assigned to children from three years old), Vertigochel (from two years old), Avia-sea (also from two years). The main principle of the action of these drugs is "like treating like". We are talking about the fact that in large doses homeopathic remedies themselves would cause the symptoms of kinetosis, but in small doses they help the body to fight with malaise. They have almost no contraindications and side effects. Their use is unacceptable only with individual intolerance or allergies in the child. It is very convenient that for babies they are released in the form of drops, caramels and granules. The drug is taken for half an hour before the trip.
- If the motion sickness is very pronounced, the doctor may prescribe anti-allergic (antihistamine), sedative or anti-emetic. The choice of a suitable remedy depends on the degree of manifestation of kinetosis. All of the above drugs effectively cope with the excitability of the nervous system and reduce the unpleasant symptoms of motion sickness. They also have a fairly large list of side effects: retardation, lethargy, drowsiness and dry mouth. However, if your child tears in every trip, these drugs will greatly alleviate the situation. The dose and method of administration of the drug is prescribed only by a doctor.
What if the medicine is powerless in your case?
It happens and such, when the effect from reception of a preparation is observed weak or at all is absent. This can occur with individual insensitivity to a particular drug. Please note, increasing dosage and re-taking the medicine is unacceptable. Be patient and help your child to travel most comfortably by using non-medicinal methods to combat motion sickness symptoms.
Non-medicinal methods of combating kinetosis
There are many non-drug methods known to help alleviate the symptoms of motion sickness. These methods have been tested for years, quite safe and really help the children. There is a sense to try them in practice. Of course, no one will guarantee that they will help your baby, because the body of each child is individual, as well as, in fact, the causes of motion sickness.
An effective remedy for nausea and motion sickness is ginger. It must be cut into thin plates and simply sucked during the trip. Not all children like the taste of ginger, so you can replace it with ginger biscuits or candy. Drink ginger tea or infusion before the trip.
Some children are well assisted by essential oils, especially mint and chamomile. It is necessary to drip a few drops of oil on a handkerchief or napkin and inhale air through it.
Against rocking, helps also infusion of oats or spinach juice. Such drinks are prepared very simply. Infusion of oats: one tablespoon of oats should be poured with boiling water, insist for 30-40 minutes and strain. Juice from fresh washed spinach is extracted by means of a juicer. If you know about the trip in advance, start giving the child these drinks (about a quarter cup twice a day) three to four days before the day of departure.
On a trip as a drink, it is better to use mineral water without gas or some sour juice. You need to drink them in small sips.
On the road more often wipe the face and hands of the baby with a wet napkin, you can make a wet bandage on the forehead. On the child should be spacious clothes with a wide collar, without rubber bands and tight straps. When there is a malaise - put the baby on his lap and talk to him on his favorite topics. It will distract from unpleasant thoughts and feelings. But still, sleep is the best way to stop motion sickness.
Many parents think that the baby should be fed more tightly into the way, which, if inclined to rocking, is fundamentally wrong. Abundant food intake only worsens the situation. Of course, a hungry child can not be taken. It is recommended to arrange a light snack one hour before the trip. Dishes should be easily digestible. Optimal nutrition before going out and on the road - a piece of boiled fish, yogurt, cottage cheese. With a trip on the trip is not recommended to take soda and milk. Moreover, if the child is crawling on the road, do not eat with him. This, too, can provoke an attack.
If the trip is distant, in advance, consider where you can eat. It will be necessary to stop for a sufficient time, so that after a meal, one does not immediately go on the road, and walk in the fresh air for 30-40 minutes. This will help the child cope with motion sickness.
Scheduled workouts
If you often have to travel by car or other transport, begin to train the child's vestibular apparatus in advance.
Some parents start taking kids with them almost from birth. This is justified, because in this way the vestibular apparatus of crumbs adapts to movement. Please note, such trips must be made only in the car seat and for short distances.
Training can be done at home. The main criterion for training should be regularity. Examples of simple exercises for training the vestibular apparatus: the wearing and rocking of the child on his hands, rocking on the gymnastic ball, the child's rotation, spinning and upheavals. Such manipulations like to spend dads. Very often we see how they toss, twist and tumbling their children. Now we know that this is not only fun, but also very useful.
A child over one and a half to two years old must be taught to skate "sausage" from side to side, walk on a curb or a log, swing it on swings and roundabouts, teach to swim and jump on an inflatable mattress.
Swaying is a nuisance phenomenon. But we found out that effective measures to combat it still exist. Following simple tips and recommendations, you will save your baby from trouble so that he can enjoy the trip together with you.
Be healthy!