Giving your toddler benadry or dramaine for airplane???/

[grlpwrd]

Try it before you leave? Ack... I'm with MrsPete on this one. Why medicate a child when they don't need it? Even if a doctor recommends it - I can see why this country has a mentality of "popping pills" to cure your 'ills.'

The OP stated "I wanted to ensure that my 2 year old DD sleeps the whole time" so it's not due to a medical condition. It is for convenience.

Plus, like justhat stated it may not be effective and someone already stated it can have the reverse effect and cause hyperactivity.

I guess we all have our priorities.

 

[loveswdw]

Our DS has flown 3 roundtrips now and we have ALWAYS given him a dose of Benadryl. Our ped recommended it the first time we flew and it worked like a charm. DS had of course taken Benadryl before and we knew how it affected him (makes him sleepy). But we only have a 2 hour flight to MCO. He gets Benadryl, gets sleepy on the plane, and usually sleeps the majority of the flight. Every flight. He wakes up when we land and he's in a GOOD mood, not cranky.

I think its a personal decision. If some consider it "drugging", then that's what we do and will continue to. They don't have to fly with my child... I do and I do what I think is best.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Well hey, do what you want with your child. That is your business, I personally don't agree with drugging a child so they sleep for my convenience. If they were sick then that's one thing but if not then no meds for mine. Again- your choice. What I do want to say is that just because a Ped said it was okay doesn't make it so. Peds don't know everything and not every one of them got an A in school. Again- no judgement here just an opinion.

 

[FluffyPumpkin78]

I have flown back and forth from CA to FL many times, and have given my ds Benadryl before. I have no issues with it, and it always worked well for us.

I'd much rather *drug* my son, and have us both be comfortable, than have him whinning, crying, and just plain miserable.

And it is not as if I am dosing him up everyday so mommy can take a nap. It is something that happens once or twice a year for the comfort of us, and for the courtesy of the other passengers on the plane.

 

[fan_of_small_world]

Lulu's Mom - my experience with children's medications on airplanes is that I would give them a dose of Pedia Care, which seemed to help prevent ear trouble. You mentioned that your child gets sick on planes? Could it be an ear issue (I know the ear can be connected to dizziness)? Your doctor can give you the best advice, of course. I did notice that the Pedia Care, although containing pseudaphedrine (sp?), made them sleepy, which frankly was a bonus! You and your doctor know the best thing for your child, so ignore posters who think they know better than you! Best of luck and have a great trip!

ETA - no matter what some others have said, you absolutely should try any new medication at home several days before boarding the plane, with your doctor's OK. The last thing you want is a surprise bad reaction while in the air.

 

[flortlebap]

I'd much rather *drug* my son, and have us both be comfortable, than have him whinning, crying, and just plain miserable.

I couldn't have put it better myself - and as for those other people saying they'd never drug their children, perhaps they should try sitting in the seats in front of cranky preschoolers?

I don't see it as a bad thing anyway - my doctor and health visitor have both recommended doing it. I hardly think they'd give out advice if it wasn't necessary - and no, the kids may not be "ill", but they are given a medicine which helps the circumstance, so IMO it's not a bad thing to do because it's good for them, us, and the other passengers on the plane.

I'd NEVER drug a baby though, only a hyperactive toddler or child. And I'd never do it at home just for the sake of some sleep.

 

[noodleknitter]

A rested child is a happy, comfortable and content child. Giving a few drops of benedryl is no different than stuffing her full of turkey and milk with some chamomile tea to top it off. Chemicals that help and hurt us are in all of the foods we eat, just as they are in the supplements, and meds.

As moms, we all know that we can survive a restless night. To assume that for our child and 100 passengers, however would be very rude.

 

[ekball]

The child has no medical need for the drug. You're talking about giving it to her for your convenience. If that's not drugging the child, what is?

I checked with my mom, the Director of Children's Protective Services for this county, and she verified what I already suspected: what you're talking about is illegal. Chances of anyone noticing, caring, or reporting you is slim, but it is illegal.

Maybe I've just been lucky, but my kids have always been great travelers -- even when they were toddlers. Depending upon the situation, we often kept them up extra-long so they'll go to sleep on their own. We always let them pack a small number of quiet toys, and that works great.

OMG, PLEASE!!!! Some people.....


And BTW - gum, candy, lollipops to make sure there aren't ear problems?!?! What are you people trying to do....rot out your children's teeth?! CHILD ABUSE!!!! All so that YOU can have a nice flight and not deal with crying or screaming. How selfish! Why don't you just yank their teeth out now! Disney serves soup and applesauce so I really don't see the problem with that.



That was a joke by the way.

 

[Mono~rail]

I couldn't have put it better myself - and as for those other people saying they'd never drug their children, perhaps they should try sitting in the seats in front of cranky preschoolers?

We experienced this on a red-eye from Honolulu to Dallas! The toddler behind us kicked the backs of our seats and screamed the entire 8 hour flight. The toddler in front of us screamed endlessly! The plane was full so there was no where else for us to go. We were trapped!

Edited to add: The tot behind us would every so often take a break from kicking our seats to reach in between the seats to pull DD's hair!

 

[grlpwrd]

Food and gum, candy, and lollipops are not the same as pharmaceuticals which have physiological consequences and side effects. The comparisons are quite a stretch.

Wow, lots of justification in this thread...

 

[Mono~rail]

Food and gum, candy, and lollipops are not the same as pharmaceuticals which have physiological consequences and side effects. The comparisons are quite a stretch.

Wow, lots of justification in this thread...

Benadryl is an antihistamine med sold over the counter. Please let's not exaggerate and blow this out of proportion. Now if the OP had asked about giving her child a scheduled narcotic that was prescribed for someone else, well, that is a whole other story. . . I don't think anymore calls to CPS need to be made.

 

[MissMichelle]

I find that hard to believe. The generic version of Benadryl is marketed as a sleep aid in Tylenol PM, Motrin PM, etc. It's commonly prescribed as a sleep aid both when it was prescription only and now that it's over the counter. I take Tylenol PM often myself when I'm traveling. I don't see how helping a child to sleep would be any different. I was given prescription Benadryl as a child for sleep issues.

I would have to agree here...I took Benadryl and Tylenol PM safely during pregnancy since I couldn't sleep, on the suggestion of my OBGYN....

When I took my first trip with my son @ 15 months she suggested a small dose of Benadryl--which we didn't give since we just decided to try it and see how he'd do..He did fine.

I say whatever the OP is comfortable with then so be it...people will always find a way to complain about other's choices. I see nothing wrong with giving Benadryl since it was on the recommendation.

 

[happygirl]

Do, what best for your child!!!

 

[poohluvrs]

I had a sick 3yo for 3 weeks just recently, up coughing, etc....Dr suggested Benadryl to ease her sleep, it did absolutely nothing!!!

Your DD may be so tired at that hour she will be fine w/out putting you through the worry of bringing the medicine to the airport, etc...

I personally would not do it, but you're the best judge of your own child, good luck!

 

[katytrott]

I couldn't have put it better myself - and as for those other people saying they'd never drug their children, perhaps they should try sitting in the seats in front of cranky preschoolers?

I don't see it as a bad thing anyway - my doctor and health visitor have both recommended doing it. I hardly think they'd give out advice if it wasn't necessary - and no, the kids may not be "ill", but they are given a medicine which helps the circumstance, so IMO it's not a bad thing to do because it's good for them, us, and the other passengers on the plane.

I'd NEVER drug a baby though, only a hyperactive toddler or child. And I'd never do it at home just for the sake of some sleep.

Slightly off topic, but how are you taking the medication on to the plane. With all the restrictions leaving the UK to US, I rang our airline (XL) and asked them if I could take non-prescription medication on to the plane. They said we had to get a GP's letter and carry no more then 50ml. I have been unable to find any medication less then 100ml. Two thoughts we have are either to take a 100ml bottle with only 50ml in it (how will they no there is only 50ml though?) or to take a coulple of the 5ml sachets. We still have to taste everything like that so that would mean opening the sachets. We thought we would take selotape and tape them back up. We have no idea if either of these things would be allowed and was wondering if you had thought how to get round it.

Just a thought to the person who thought giving medication to a child that doesn't need it was illegal. Do you not think that a hyperactive, over-wired, sleep deprived child who is desperate for help to get to sleep as they can't themselves (as in the case of my son if not to put to sleep in a cot in a darkened room), does not qualify as a genuine need for a very small dose of something to help them? Personally, I can't see the difference in this circumstance, with giving a child a very small dose of paracetamol to help with teething pain, especially if nothing else will work. In both situations you are giving something to help the child feel better.

 

[flortlebap]

Slightly off topic, but how are you taking the medication on to the plane. With all the restrictions leaving the UK to US, I rang our airline (XL) and asked them if I could take non-prescription medication on to the plane. They said we had to get a GP's letter and carry no more then 50ml. I have been unable to find any medication less then 100ml. Two thoughts we have are either to take a 100ml bottle with only 50ml in it (how will they no there is only 50ml though?) or to take a coulple of the 5ml sachets. We still have to taste everything like that so that would mean opening the sachets. We thought we would take selotape and tape them back up. We have no idea if either of these things would be allowed and was wondering if you had thought how to get round it.

Firstly, the hand baggage allowances are *fingers crossed* being relaxed as of Tuesday, so we're partially relying on that!

Secondly, two of the medicines I'm taking on board are OK - you can take them on board as long as the prescription matches the name of the passenger on the ticket, which means my DD's Medised and my Valium are both OK. I'm also taking rescue remedy - which again, I'm hoping will be OK if I taste it first, after all it's designed to be put on your tongue so hoping that won't be a problem!!

My neice is taking extras on board too - she is 2 years old and is diabetic with a dairy allergy, so she needs certain items for the flight. That was OK'd with a doctors note too. I didn't know about the 50ml containers though - is that definitely the case? If so, that scuppers my plans a little bit...

 

[katytrott]

Firstly, the hand baggage allowances are *fingers crossed* being relaxed as of Tuesday, so we're partially relying on that!

Secondly, two of the medicines I'm taking on board are OK - you can take them on board as long as the prescription matches the name of the passenger on the ticket, which means my DD's Medised and my Valium are both OK. I'm also taking rescue remedy - which again, I'm hoping will be OK if I taste it first, after all it's designed to be put on your tongue so hoping that won't be a problem!!

My neice is taking extras on board too - she is 2 years old and is diabetic with a dairy allergy, so she needs certain items for the flight. That was OK'd with a doctors note too. I didn't know about the 50ml containers though - is that definitely the case? If so, that scuppers my plans a little bit...

Yes I am interested in Tuesday's announcement too. The information about being no more then 50ml I was told by my airline, but quite honestly, I don't no if I should trust them. They also told me I could not take our son's car seat right up to the aircraft and gate check it. Apparently we have to check it in with normal luggage in the hold, however, someone on a different thread was told by Virgin you could take car seats up to the aircraft. It seems to me nobody has any idea of what is going on with security from the UK, we will always get conflicting information. That being said, I am sure I did read, or hear, from another source about the 50ml rule, unfortunately I can't remember any more then that. I think I will try to ring BAA Gatwick again and see what they say about these situations. It's all

 

[WDWfor5]

I couldn't have put it better myself - and as for those other people saying they'd never drug their children, perhaps they should try sitting in the seats in front of cranky preschoolers?

I don't see it as a bad thing anyway - my doctor and health visitor have both recommended doing it. I hardly think they'd give out advice if it wasn't necessary - and no, the kids may not be "ill", but they are given a medicine which helps the circumstance, so IMO it's not a bad thing to do because it's good for them, us, and the other passengers on the plane.

I'd NEVER drug a baby though, only a hyperactive toddler or child. And I'd never do it at home just for the sake of some sleep.

I just had to respond to this - Are you really suggesting that without drugging children, they aren't able to be entertained / behave well on a flight? Two years ago DH and I took our 3 children - DD 5, DS 3 and DS 18 mos on a trip to Hawaii from NJ. We flew from Newark to LAX and then had a short stopover before flying LAX to Kauaii.

While my DH felt like a porter due to to the quantity of activities I packed for him to carry, my children were more than well entertained and exceptionally well behaved. We do tolerate poor behavior in public and our kids know it. As a result, it's our job to make sure their needs are met - new toys, craft projects, books for us to read them, snacks, etc.

I had people who asked me when we were getting off the plane if they were drugged - I was appalled.

And to address the "it's a red eye so it's different" concern - we flew home on a 10:15 pm flight from Hawaii to SFO and since we knew this in advance we spent our last day at the playground, beach, etc. doing what they wanted to do and tired them out. All three fell asleep before we even tookoff The next leg was harder, but we managed with no kicking of seats, temper tantrums, etc. and certainly no drugs

While obviously you should do what you think is best, I'm definetely in the "no drugs for my convience camp". If you choose to do it, that's fine with me because they're not my kids but know that there are other ways to keep your child happy on a plane that while more work for you are also more satisfying as a parent and fairer to your child.

 

[Bird-Mom]

I usually give my DD tylenol because she does get sick on planes.. ie diareha, not wanting to eat, restlessness, being uncomfortable and so on, unfortuantly we are not privledged enough to be able to drive to Orlando since we live in Nevada.

I just wanted to point out that Tylenol is not an anti-diarrhea medicine. It is a pain reliever, so it will not help with any of the problems you listed unless her "being uncomfortable" is due to some type of chronic pain. Discomfort due to sitting is not a reason to use it.

I have flown many cross country flights with my children (4.5 years and 2 years). All of them have been red-eye flights. Neither dd is a good sleeper, but they have both fallen asleep on planes without any trouble. I would not skip the nap; I would keep her routine as normal as possilbe. Sleep breeds sleep. When children are overtired, they often have a harder time winding down. An overtired, wired, excited child could be difficult to soothe on the plane.

Does your dd sleep in the car? Get a seat farther back in the plane, and the engines will lull her to sleep.

We use almost no allopathic medicine in my house, so I am really shocked at giving meds to a child (who doesn't have a choice-she isn't sick, so this doesn't equal one of those times when the parent is making the best choice) for convenience. If you really feel the need to give her something, try some chamomilia or Hylands Calms for Kids.

Just because it is an over the counter pharmaceutical does not mean that it is safe and without side effect.

 

[las3888]

Yet another opinion on this thread, just what everybody was looking for!!!!

All I will say is that I don't think giving your DC benadryl is a crime, but I would be careful. I know many swear by it (which no doubt tempts me), but I know when I take this stuff it makes me wacky. I never take it anymore. I just can't imagine giving it to DS because it just doesn't make me sleepy by any stretch of the imagination. It makes me very nervous. Since your DC has some of your chemistry, you could try taking it yourself, maybe also DH or DW as well, and see how you react to it. That is at least a starting point.

I won't probably be trying it with DS anytime soon, just since I know I don't do well with it.

Also, while every pedi is the different, our pedi is really against it...his strategy is to fly while your DC would be napping and when they're really tired, they will sleep. Well, I am not totally in tune with his strategy, but he is not be in favor of the benadryl (again, doesn't mean you shouldn't do it).

Good luck. In summary, I have always said WDW is great with little ones, but getting there is a pain in the b*^$!!!!!