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Can Atarax Drops Be Given For Inducing Sleep In A Child?

Posted on Thu, 19 Jan 2017

Question: Hi. My baby is 6 weeks old today. Since week 3 he has stopped sleeping during the day. He sleeps for 4 to 5 hours at night. In all, in 24 hours, he sleeps for 7 to 8 hours XXXXXXX All non-night time hours of sleep are in the lap, not on the bed. This has been happening for 3 weeks now. When he is awake, he is generally happy and plays. Only cries for food. His weight gain is normal. 3 kg at birth and 4 kg at 5 weeks. I am giving him colic aid (10 drops...twice a day) for his gas and stomach trouble. Colic aid was started only after he stopped sleeping, week 3 onwards. My question is...is it ok for an infant to sleep only 7 hours a day. Why is he not sleeping during the day. Is it ok to give him Atarax drops to get him to sleep ?

Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (41 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
You need not panic about the sleep of the baby.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on healthcaremagic.

I have gone carefully through your query and understand your concern. Let me assure you that you need not get the slightest bit concerned about the sleep requirements of a baby. Rest assured that the child will get the sleep he requires and nothing needs to be done about it. You need not give Atarax or any other medicines for sleep.

You should burp the baby for at least 15-20 mins after each feed. All you need to do is to hold the baby head end elevated for this duration. The extra air taken causes distention and hence colics. Proper burping will ensure its escape and the milk will not regurgitate back from the stomach to the food pipe, thus providing relief. You can otherwise continue to give Coliaid when needed. You need not give it on regular basis. It is a safe medicine and you need not worry about any disadvantage of giving it.

Let me know if you have further queries.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Diptanshu Das (19 hours later)

Thanks Doctor. Thats good to know. I do try and burp him after every feed. But sometimes he falls asleep while feeding, and i am tempted to let him sleep, because he sleeps so less anyways. I will try and avoid doing that now.

Follow up question...do i need to hold him upright for a full 15 to 20 mins even if he has burped already? Also, once in a while, if i want to give atarax so that i can sleep peacefully while he sleeps, is it ok. Are there any sideeffects of atarax?

Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Burping is important

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back.

Irrespective of whether you hear a burping sound you should hold him upright for 15-20 mins to avoid reflux as the junction of the food pipe and the stomach has poor tone in children.

I would not recommend giving Atarax even though I do not expect any major side effect.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Diptanshu Das (4 hours later)

Great! THANKS

Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Glad to be of service

Detailed Answer:
Feel free to ask me back in case of further queries.

Regards

Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar