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Can baby be hyperactive? At what age ?
Usually, hyperactivity in children cannot be diagnosed with certainty until the age of 6. However, babies often show their first signs of hyperactivity in their first few months. Almost 4% of children would be affected in France. However, the distinction betweena hyperactive baby and a baby only a little more restless than normalis sometimes delicate. Here are the main points of reference for you to better recognize this behavior problem.
Why is a child hyperactive?
Baby’s hyperactivity can be linked to several factors. It may be due to certain areas of his brain showing a slight dysfunction.. Fortunately, this is without the slightest consequence on his intellectual capacities: hyperactive children are often even smarter than average! It also happens that a small brain injury following a shock to the head or an operation for example, also leads to hyperactivity. It seems that certain genetic factors also come into play. Some scientific studies show a link between certain cases of hyperactivity and food allergies, especially to gluten. Hyperactive disorders would sometimes be greatly reduced after the best management of an allergy and an adapted diet.
Symptoms: how to detect baby’s hyperactivity?
The main symptom of hyperactivity in babies is brisk and constant restlessness. It can manifest itself in various ways: baby has an angry temper, finds it difficult to fix his attention on anything, moves a lot… He also generally has a lot of trouble falling asleep. And when baby starts to move around on his own and run around the house it gets worse. Broken objects, screams, frantic running in the corridors: the child is a real electric battery and chases nonsense at high speed. He is also endowed with an exacerbated sensitivity, which promotes temper tantrums … This behavior is generally very hard for the family.. Not to mention that the child increases the risk of injuring himself on his own! Obviously, in a very young child, these symptoms may only be normal stages of development, making it difficult to diagnose possible hyperactivity very early on. Diagnosis and treatment are nevertheless essential because if these disorders are poorly treated, the child also risks failing at school: it is too difficult for him to concentrate in class.
Tests: how to diagnose baby’s hyperactivity?
This delicate diagnosis of hyperactivity is based on very precise observations. Usually the definitive diagnosis is not made before several examinations. The child’s behavior is of course the main factor taken into account. Degree of restlessness, difficulty concentrating, unawareness of risks, hyperemotivity: all factors to be analyzed and quantified. Family and relatives usually have to fill out “standard” questionnaires to help assess the child’s attitude. Sometimes an electroencephalogram (EEG) or brain scan (axial tomography) may be done to detect brain damage or dysfunction.
How to behave with a hyperactive baby? How to make him sleep?
It is important to be as present as possible with your baby with hyperactivity. In order to avoid the nervousness as much as possible, practice calm games with him to soothe him. At bedtime, start by preparing the room in advance by removing any items that may upset the baby. Be present with him, and do proof of sweetness to help baby get to sleep. Scolding is not a good idea! try relax your baby as much as possible so that he can fall asleep more easily.
How to fight baby’s hyperactivity?
While there is currently no way to prevent hyperactivity, it is possible to keep it under control. Cognitive behavioral psychotherapy usually works well in hyperactive children. even if this treatment is only accessible from a certain age. Over the course of the sessions, he learns to channel his attention and to think before taking action. Having him practice a sporting activity in parallel where he will flourish and evacuate his excess energy can bring a real plus. It is advisable to treat with the greatest care the possible food allergies (or intolerances) of the child by a suitable diet.
Last but not least, there are also medicinal treatments against hyperactivity, in particular based on Ritalin®. If this calms the child well, drugs are nonetheless chemicals to be used with discretion, because they cause significant side effects. As a general rule, this type of treatment is thus reserved for the most extreme cases, when the child is too often in danger.
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