Decongestants for kids

[sarahsmom73]

Do you give your child a decongestant before flying? If so what do yo find works best. We fly out on 4/7 for the 1st time with our 2.5 year old...

 

[alloyd1170]

Personally I never gave my son anything before flying, but people use Benadryl. Its an antihistamine which makes kids drowsy (and me too). Ive taken my son flying he was under one and almost two with no problems. I wa worried this last time since he had his own seat and cant sit still. Wasnt a problem at all. If youre worried about ear popping, just have something to eat or drink on hand when taking off and especially landing. Or is your child uses a pacifier, let him/her have it. I lucked out in that when he was younger, my son would fall asleep very easily in the car, and just after take off (make sure you grab a small pillow when you board). Let your child run around the waiting area to blow off some energy (if thats possible with these little guys). As for boarding, some suggest waiting until the last call, but I like to get on early and get situated (have space for my bags which I usually put under my son anyways, buckle him in, etc). He enjoys watching the people board and the goings on outside so its not a problem. I also brought some toys and stuffed animal to occupy the time (they were short flights ~2+hrs). This past time I took the portable dvd player and headphones which really kept him happy. Even the other passangers tried to watch it! If youre taking a stroller (a good idea in a crowded airport and if you have connecting flights) you can take it right to the gate and they will have it there when you land. When going through security, you will have to fold it up and put it through the xray machine so be ready. Feel free to email me with any other questions!

Good luck!

alison

 

[Gillian]

Benadryl is to make them sleepy and sudafed/decongestant is for ears. I've used the infant drops when my son was 6 months but didn't use them at 2 years or at 2 1/2. If you plan to use one, I'd try it at home first to see how he reacts!

Benadryl doesn't come in a dosage form for kids that young. You'd need to buy the liquid and have your dr or pharmacist find out the dose for you. It's very small.

I gave my son gerber fruit chews a couple of times. They worked well. I was afraid the sugar would be a problem but he was fine.

For myself I use one sudafed (or generic). It makes me a little sleepy (makes most people hyper).

 

[Mrs. Toaster]

I posted a similar question on this board a month or so ago. I have a 2 year old, and we were about to fly from Georgia to California for a trip to Disneyland. I read and read and read some more on the topic, and found that there is quite a broad range of opinions in regards to giving kids Benadryl. In the end, I consulted with my son's pediatrician, who gave us the appropriate dosage. We tried it at home first, and he took an extra long nap that day. However, when we tried it on the flights to and from, it did absolutely nothing. We did bring plenty of snacks, and both old and new toys, books, DVD's etc. and we made it just fine! We found that he did great until we had been in the air for about 3 hours, and then he started to get bored. It really just depends on the child though.

There are a lot of wonderful tips on this board in regards to traveling with small children, so make sure to check them out!

 

[sarahsmom73]

I'm not worried so much about the flight and her energy.. I was just worried about her ears. Having never flown before with a little one I wasn't sure... Everyone keeps telling me make sure she has a decongestant... I guess I could call her Ped... She takes zyrtec every night for her allergies and to keep her ears open... (She's only had 1 ear infection and it was do to allergies... Thus the nightly zyrtec.. Also for her eczema)

Thanks

 

[mbb]

Dimetapp, and Children's Tylenol or Advil

Decongestant and if there is any pain, helps relieve it...

But, as you are going to, check with your physician..

HTH!

 

[alloyd1170]

Definitely check with the dr. If she already takes Zrytec you dont want to overload her with more drugs. Sometimes it can cause the opposite of what you want to happen. I posted earlier-the big thing is to make sure your child swallows when there is ear pressure. This usually will take care of any problems. Hence the suggestion for having a pacifier (if she uses one) or something to drink and eat as you take off and land. Ask the flight attendants to get you some watered down juice near the end of your flight. Stay away from caffeine and sweet stuff too during flights as this makes you dehydrated.

alison

 

[sarahsmom73]

Thanks everyone! Can you tell I'm nervous?!

 

[memymomonica]

My daughter was getting was over an ear infection but the fluid hadn't drained. I was concerned with flying. The Dr. had me give her Sudafed and Afrin. Check with your Dr. for the right dosages. She did fine. They have Sudafed in chewable form now which makes it easier for traveling. Nothing made her sleepy either.

 

[eamgio]

Please make sure you check with the doctor. I have flown with this problem and the pain in my ears was very unbearable and I was in tears most of the flight. I would never want a child or anyone for that matter, to have to feel like that. My doctor has suggested that I take a decongestant before every flight.

Good luck and have a great trip!

 

[720L]

Be sure to get Earplanes!! They are earplugs made for flying and work great. I always put them on my kids. THere are adult and kid sizes and they are available at Walgreens and other big pharmacies. If my kids have stuffy noses then I do give them a decongestant also. Giving them a sucker or gum or a drink helps too when going up or down.

 

[Del]

post before i left, bought the sudafed. My one dd never has problems and didn't this time. The oldest dd does, did the gum and sudafed---didn't seem to help. She didn't have other ear, throat, cold things going on. I hope the rest of you have luck.

del