Jet lag in a baby
Infants do not have a developed “inner clock” until the 6th month of life and therefore cannot suffer from jet lag. Only then do infants and toddlers develop their daytime-dependent rhythm and it becomes increasingly difficult for parents to travel with their child. For older babies it is therefore recommended to change their daily rhythm a few days before departure to make it easier for them to get used to the new rhythm. In addition, care should be taken to ensure that the baby is adequately fed after arrival and before sleeping. It should be based on carbohydrate-rich food that will keep the baby full for a long time and, at best, prevent the baby from waking up at night from ravenous appetite.
Prevention
The probability of the occurrence of jet lag depends mainly on the flight time and the distance passed during the flight. Furthermore, various individual circumstances play a decisive role. For this reason, jetlag can only be prevented to a limited extent, if at all.
The most important preventive measures include: no consumption of alcohol or caffeine before and during the flight change watches to the local time of the destination switch to the local time of the destination drink a lot of liquids after the flight go out into the fresh air after the flight do not take a midday nap after arrival take part in the daily rhythm of the destination ensure sufficient sleep during the first night after arrival pay attention during the first two days avoid strenuous activities avoid taking sleeping pills
- No consumption of alcohol or caffeine before and during the flight
- Set clocks to local time of the destination already during the flight
- Drink plenty of fluids
- Get plenty of fresh air after the flight
- Do not take a midday nap after arrival
- Participate in the daily rhythm of the destination
- Make sure you get enough sleep during the first night after arrival
- Avoid strenuous activities during the first two days
- Do not take sleeping pills
Persons who have to travel frequently to other time zones for professional reasons should also consider whether it is worthwhile for the organism to adapt to the new rhythm at all. Since this change can take several days, an attempt to change should not be made for short trips of less than three to four days. In such cases it is better for the body of the traveler to remain in the old rhythm.
For longer stays in a different time zone, travelers can try to alleviate the upcoming jet lag a little before departure. People traveling to the West should start falling asleep one or two hours later each night approximately three to four days before departure. In this way, the organism can get used to the time change before departure.
On the other hand, people who fly east should start going to bed a few hours earlier three to four days before departure. Also during the flight, simple measures can help to make the time change a little easier for the organism. Travellers should therefore take sufficient exercise on board and drink plenty of fluids.
Especially when travelling by air to the west, sufficient exercise can help to make the changeover easier. In addition, an adjustment in diet can be helpful. When traveling by air to the west, protein (e.g. fish), meat and dairy products should be eaten above all.
In this way, important energy reserves are stored in the body and the tiredness typical of jet lag can be effectively alleviated. On the other hand, foods that are high in carbohydrates (such as potatoes, pasta or rice) must be avoided before traveling to the West. In addition, people who travel west by air should not make the mistake of going to bed immediately after landing.
In this way, jet lag is usually even aggravated. Persons suffering from jetlag must always remember that they must stay awake as long as it is light during the first few days after arrival. Only during the evening hours and at night should they sleep.
For very long flights this rule already applies during the flight. For this reason, travelers should put on comfortable clothing and carry suitable sleeping glasses. If the night can already be used for sleeping during the flight, the probability of developing jet lag is often reduced.
If jetlag cannot be completely prevented by these measures, it has been proven that the severity of jetlag is reduced. Basically, it must be noted that jetlag can only be treated to a limited extent. Jetlag is always a special challenge for the organism and can affect the psyche as well as the cardiovascular system and the gastrointestinal tract.
For this reason, very short flights that cross several time zones should be avoided if possible. Longer stays in foreign time zones, on the other hand, can be managed by the organism after three to four days. In rare cases, however, jet lag can last for weeks.
In addition, preventive measures should be taken before every flight that carries the risk of developing jet lag. Even if the occurrence of jetlag cannot be reliably avoided by these measures, the typical symptoms can be significantly attenuated. The severity of sleep disturbances and impairments of the gastrointestinal tract can be significantly reduced by some means.
For this reason, people suffering from jetlag should adjust to the new conditions immediately after landing. The natural sunlight of the unfamiliar surroundings can be used as a clock generator and the internal clock can thus be adjusted more easily. In this context, no direct sunlight is necessary.
Affected persons should only stay out in the fresh air frequently during the daytime hours and should not hide in a hotel room. Furthermore, affected persons should try to live according to the new day-night rhythm at the place of arrival. For this reason, short periods of sleep during the day should be avoided at all costs.The jet lag usually subsides much faster if those affected only sleep in the dark in the first few days and get up as early as possible in the morning.
Excessive consumption of caffeine should also be avoided. One to two cups of coffee a day are allowed. Excessive consumption of caffeine, on the other hand, can reduce the production and release of the sleep hormone melatonin.
For this reason, jet lag lasts much longer. Within the first few days after arrival, it is also advisable to take it easy and give the already severely impaired organism plenty of rest. Due to the very pronounced fatigue caused by jet lag and the conspicuous concentration problems, risky activities should be avoided.
