Benadryl?

[EmilyJ]

Whatever you decide to do, PLEASE test it at home.

My daughter had an extremely rare reaction to Benedryl. She was about 20 months old. They gave it to her at the hospital (she was there post surgery) anyways, it made her blood pressure drop so dangerously low they had to do emergancy saline IVs to try and flush her blood out. We are VERY lucky we were already in the hospital.

 

[HGD24]

Call me old school, but please do not drug your children. I think giving Benadryl is just a horrible idea. Not only can it have the opposite of the desired affect, but to induce sleep with a drug is a very scary idea in my opinion. Even if my pediatrician recommended it, I would not ever do it. I have four kids and we have flown for 15 years with our kids and not once gave them any sort of drug.

I'm with you and I'm actually horrified to read this thread and see that parents and pedi's are suggesting to do this! I cannot believe that people are ok giving their child a drug to make them sleepy or calm on a flight so that they don't have to deal with their child's behavior on a flight! One pp said it's not crack, etc, but it is a drug and it's being used to sedate a child for the parent's sanity - so sad!

 

[EmilyJ]

I'm with you and I'm actually horrified to read this thread and see that parents and pedi's are suggesting to do this! I cannot believe that people are ok giving their child a drug to make them sleepy or calm on a flight so that they don't have to deal with their child's behavior on a flight! One pp said it's not crack, etc, but it is a drug and it's being used to sedate a child for the parent's sanity - so sad!

I also agree with this, though I wasnt going to mention it. Our news recently ran a story about how many kids under 5 die each year because of accidental overdoses by using these types of drugs.

 

[DISNEYNV]

It didnt work for DD Check the side of the box : It says it can have a reverse effect on some children. That was my DD.

Yes! Test this ahead of time after consulting your pediatrician. You never know if you have not given it to your child before, especially a young child.

 

[princessmom29]

I'm with you and I'm actually horrified to read this thread and see that parents and pedi's are suggesting to do this! I cannot believe that people are ok giving their child a drug to make them sleepy or calm on a flight so that they don't have to deal with their child's behavior on a flight! One pp said it's not crack, etc, but it is a drug and it's being used to sedate a child for the parent's sanity - so sad!

What about a child in pain form their ears on a flight???? I don't think peds recommend in just so parents don't have to deal with their kids on a flight. Their little bodies are less able to cope with alititude change than ours. Many get motion sick or have constant ear pain on planes. I don't think anyone here is condoning knocking your kid out so that you don't have ot deal with them, but what if it is better for the childs own well being to be sedated?

 

[HGD24]

What about a child in pain form their ears on a flight???? I don't think peds recommend in just so parents don't have to deal with their kids on a flight. Their little bodies are less able to cope with alititude change than ours. Many get motion sick or have constant ear pain on planes. I don't think anyone here is condoning knocking your kid out so that you don't have ot deal with them, but what if it is better for the childs own well being to be sedated?

Last time I checked, Benadryl is for allergies, it isn't a pain reliever. If pain is an issue, parents can use Infant's or Children's Tylenol which is made for use with infants and doesn't cause drowsiness.

 

[WantToGoNow]

My ds7 has been taking Benadryl atleast once a week for the past 3.5 years - for allergic reactions to latex, milk, and egg as well as an antihistimine for seasonal allergies. It is our first defense for an allergic reaction and thankfully we have never had to use his EpiPen - we have come very close a few times. Does it make him sleepy - no way - makes him as hyper as can be.

 

[bookgirl]

I One pp said it's not crack, etc, but it is a drug and it's being used to sedate a child for the parent's sanity - so sad!

Actually for the childs sanity, if you prefer your child to cry, struggle and be unhappy for three hours, and then have to deal with the idiots on the plane as well that's your choice and one I find sad(personally I'm probalby one of the few people who are not bothered by children crying on planes, after spending years in a self contained autism classroom and years before that in child care it's all just background noise to me). I just don't see why you wouldn't give your child something to make it easier. However you never know some kids love to fly and don't need any thing. But it's better to be prepared then to just wing it at the childs expense.

That's usually what ticks me off. I rarely feel sorry for the parent or seatmates of the screaming kid, I feel bad for the kid. If I was that miserable I'd be begging someone to knock me out.

 

[lmillercrew]

Thank you all so much for your replies. I really didn't think much about it having an opposite effect on her. I think that I'm just going to go without and see how it goes. It is only a 3 hour flight and maybe being so late she will fall asleep on her own. If not we will have to deal with it (unfortunatly so will the rest of the fully booked plane). If we have a really bad flight then maybe I would consider it for the flight home. We flew when she was 6 months and she was great, but she was alot easier back then.

Dimatapp works too. Sometimes even Motrin can relax them. I understand the posts about "don't 'drug' your kid" but if makes the flight easier for them, you and other passengers, it's not going to hurt. I strongly believe that you should test whatever you choose to do before you go, just in case she does have an allergic reaction. Good Luck!

 

[MarriedToAPrince]

Definietly call your pediatrician before you give Benedryl to your toddler. They will give you suggestions and yes it can have the reverse side effects. It doesn't with my daughter.

 

[Nicoleclaw]

We use it for my daughter for both cat allergies and motion sickness. Most of the time she takes it in the car or plane, she is out like a light in 20 min. At my moms (cats there), she usually gets quiet, or has no noticable effects. It did make her a little wacky once though.

 

[princessmom29]

Last time I checked, Benadryl is for allergies, it isn't a pain reliever. If pain is an issue, parents can use Infant's or Children's Tylenol which is made for use with infants and doesn't cause drowsiness.

As aznother poster already stated it helps with motion sickness, and tylenol is NOT going to make a child with inner ear issues comfortable on a plane, not by a long shot. Mabye for the kid's sake it is best for them to just sleep rather than be miserable. Just my opinion, but if benedryl saves my kid from hours of crying in pain and being constantly sick, bring it on! Benedryl is safe for use with infants by the way, according to the FDA. Just because it does not come labled with an infant dosage does not mean it is not intended for use with infants.

Actually for the childs sanity, if you prefer your child to cry, struggle and be unhappy for three hours, and then have to deal with the idiots on the plane as well that's your choice and one I find sad(personally I'm probalby one of the few people who are not bothered by children crying on planes, after spending years in a self contained autism classroom and years before that in child care it's all just background noise to me). I just don't see why you wouldn't give your child something to make it easier. However you never know some kids love to fly and don't need any thing. But it's better to be prepared then to just wing it at the childs expense.

That's usually what ticks me off. I rarely feel sorry for the parent or seatmates of the screaming kid, I feel bad for the kid. If I was that miserable I'd be begging someone to knock me out.

Amen!!!!

 

[laneyandmacsmom]

Someone suggested Dimetapp, it is NOT recommended to give children under the age of 6 cough syrup. Dimetapp contains Dextromethorphan which has been proven to be fatal for many children.

 

[RMulieri]

Last time I checked, Benadryl is for allergies, it isn't a pain reliever. If pain is an issue, parents can use Infant's or Children's Tylenol which is made for use with infants and doesn't cause drowsiness.

Benadryl is labeled for allergies but is used for other things.It can be used for congestion of nasal passages and ears, sleep aid, and for nausea/motion sickness..It is a potent anticholinergic and also has pretty severe side effects ( tachycardia, difficulty breathing, visiual disturbances ,confusion,hallucinations etc) .If you read the warnings on most over the counter drugs ,you would really be afraid to take anything. Even Tylenol can be deadly. Heck, Tylenol toxicity is one of the number one OD's we see in the Er.Pediatricians will suggest Benadryl use, because it helps ear edema and motion sickness whereas tylenol does not.

 

[mom2meiko]

i honestly haven't read all of the posts but it looks like things might have gotten a little heated since the first page... everyone has different opinions of what is right for children and what is not... the important thing is that you do what you believe is best for your child.

we were worried about dd when we first flew - she was 6.5 months. she slept nearly the entire time and we did not need to give her any meds at all. we did bring infant tylenol just in case she needed it but never had to use it.

dd has recently been showing signs of food allergies so we have been introduced to the world of benedryl. we haven't yet used it because her reaction hasn't been severe enough to warrant it but we did get the correct dosage from our peds in case of emergency. the bottle clearly states under 2 years it is not to be given, then 2 - ? you should check w/ your ped and then over another age they start giving dosage info on the bottle. if the bottle says not to give it under 2, i wouldn't give it unless it is medically necessary - just my opinion. if you do want to give it regardless, just check with your ped for the correct dosage which is based on weight. (dd is about 22 lbs and they said 3/4 tsp every 6 hours.)

good luck with your flight - regardless of what you end up doing.

 

[becca1125]

Call me old school, but please do not drug your children. I think giving Benadryl is just a horrible idea. Not only can it have the opposite of the desired affect, but to induce sleep with a drug is a very scary idea in my opinion. Even if my pediatrician recommended it, I would not ever do it. I have four kids and we have flown for 15 years with our kids and not once gave them any sort of drug.

Ditto, I have a 19 month old would never think of drugging my child unless there was a medical reason. Drugging just so she will sleep or "behave" is cruel. Try reading her a book, letting her use crayons/markers and color, walk her up and down the isle, give her snacks. I always buy my kids a new toy before we go, the key is to keep her occupied not in a drug induced state so you dont have to deal with the behavior or worry about what others think.

 

[crisi]

If you are worried about child saftey, do NOT let them walk up and down the aisle or walk up and down the aisle with them. Turbulence can hit at any time and everyone should stay buckled in their seat as much as possible. That is as risky as benedryl - probably more so since with benedryl you will have gotten directions from your peditrician on dosage and will have tested how your kid reacts before becoming airborne so you will be able to predict. You can't predict sudden turbulence.

 

[omegsmom]

Call me old school, but please do not drug your children. I think giving Benadryl is just a horrible idea. Not only can it have the opposite of the desired affect, but to induce sleep with a drug is a very scary idea in my opinion. Even if my pediatrician recommended it, I would not ever do it. I have four kids and we have flown for 15 years with our kids and not once gave them any sort of drug.

I was considering it for help clearing up any congestion they might have so their ears wouldn't pop so bad... Other ideas for the little ones with this? First time flying with them and my ears hurt awful at times (allergies)...

 

[becca1125]

Im not talking free reign of the plane. Im talking like when you go to the bathroom, let her walk, to stretch her legs. Personally, Id be worried if my ped told me to give my child meds when they werent medically needed

 

[Nicoleclaw]

If you are worried about child saftey, do NOT let them walk up and down the aisle or walk up and down the aisle with them. Turbulence can hit at any time and everyone should stay buckled in their seat as much as possible. That is as risky as benedryl - probably more so since with benedryl you will have gotten directions from your peditrician on dosage and will have tested how your kid reacts before becoming airborne so you will be able to predict. You can't predict sudden turbulence.

Krikeys!! I was about to say the same thing. Look. so me kids can't be entertained. We flew with my son at 14 mo (wasnt really a good walker yet) , and it was a struggle, especially with the aborted landing.....we did not give him anything. Dd got benadryl for her motion sickness, but she wasnt the one who needed a calming effect. If we flew with my son now (at 25 mo) it would be HORRIBLE!! He is not entertained by books for more than a few seconds, toys, nope, he just wants to run! Needless to say, we are driving this December. Atleast we will be the only ones hearing him scream! lol