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

[MaidMarian]

Do what you feel is right. Just another vote that if you decide to use it to try it out ahead of time. My daughter was sick recently and the pedetrician recommended benedryl, she was wired! her normal bedtime is 7:30pm and she didnt settle down until almost 4am-not a good night!

 

[MommaPooh217]

Not that I am taking offense to what you said... but I do not think that I fully explained the situation. We are taking a red eye flight, leaving home at 11:47 pm and landing at 6:45 am the next morning. It is only a 5 hour flight.

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.

Also I am very good at entertaining my child especially on airplanes since this will be our 8th trip with our DD so I am extremley expeirenced in this matter and I know what to do to keep her occupied. Getting her to sleep is the hard part since she does get sick and has her chair, or my DH or myself to sleep on.

I appreciate your concern and if I made it sound like I just wanted to drug her that is my fault. But maybe you should not be so quick to judge.

I am sorry you felt that way but I was not judging you, had you explained the situation better I probably would have said since your child does get ill on planes then you should check with your pediatrician to find out the best way to handle her illness. I also have a daughter who gets motion sickness since the age of 6 so I know that no mother likes to see her child sick and miserable in any situation but especially while traveling. And yes we have used Dramamine .

I also did not question your experience when it comes to your child no one has the right to do that. You seemed concerned about the choice you were making and I was offering an alternative suggestion to you.Maybe you should not be so quick to take offense, especially since you asked for advice in a public forum. And believe me driving 14 hours to Orlando is definitely no privilidge. Since my husband nor my son is a particular (sp) fan of flying I grin and bear it. Again no offense or judgement was intended. Enjoy your trip with your family.

Blessed Be,
Tina

 

[Deesknee]

Check with your childs doctor.
Before we took our 3.5 year olds on a plane for the first time their doctor suggested we give them dimetapp a couple nights before we left. He suggested it for their ears. I did notice 2 out of 3 dosing for most of the trip.
We did wake them up to leave for the airport at 3am though.
Best of luck.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

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.

You're kidding right? If not, Give me a break!

DS has always been a good traveler. Now DD she's a different story. When we took the kids a couple years ago to the Carribean , my kids pediatrician suggested I give her a "small" dose of Childrens Benedryl to help her sleep during the long flight. He also suggested to give her the Benedryl before we go to see how she reacts to it. As others said, it can give some children the opposite effect.

The Benedryl made her sleepy at home, but when I gave it to her on the airplane, it gave her the opposite effect. Not sure if it was the excitement of the trip combined with the Benedryl, but she was pretty active on that flight. Do what you feel is right for you and your child. Just check with your childs doc for the dose.

 

[Nancyg56]

No, Benadryl won't help with ear pressure while flying. Here's what will:

Infants: Bottles or nursing
Toddlers: Lollipops
Children: Gum

My DGD chewed Starburst and this cleared her ear pain. She does not get candy often, so she was chewing and chewing each small bite.

ITA about any medication unless you know the result. She cannot take any of the meds that generally cause drowsiness, she is bouncing off the walls, and up all night.

 

[flortlebap]

Hello!

I just thought I'd post a quick warning!

I will be giving my DD Medised (a UK drug with a sedative effect) because she is hyperactive otherwise and there's NO way she'd cope on a 9 hour flight (again, a night flight like you) without it.

That said, there is a warning here in the UK against using certain sedatives. Many are banned, because a lot of medicines have been proven to cause respiratory problems. There is one for sale in Ireland at the moment which actually says on the label that you must keep checking on your child because they may stop breathing!!

I'm not sure what the US drugs are like - but PLEASE ask your doctor first! It scares me to think that kids could be exposed to something dangerous (although obviously I know you'd never do it on purpose!)

And I don't blame you for sedating your child either!! I always said I'd NEVER do it, but I make exceptions in circumstances like this.

 

[KristiKelly]

I would check with your ped. if he says it's okay, then I would go with that .

We flew from WDW when my DS was 2-1/2. It was only 1 hour 45 min. flight for us but I wish I had given him so Benadryl and I'm sure everyone around did as well. He was so tired & cranky from the trip, would not sleep and spent the entire flight crying and kicking the seats in front of us.

Again, I would ask your ped. and hope that he doesn't threaten to call social services .

 

[booger73]

No, Benadryl won't help with ear pressure while flying. Here's what will:

Infants: Bottles or nursing
Toddlers: Lollipops
Children: Gum

Actually.. what works good is Earplanes... check any local walgreens, etc

or here:

http://www.amazon.com/Children-EarP...ef=pd_bbs_2/102-4988681-3831300?ie=UTF8&s=hpc

Works great on recent DS5/DS2 trip, and both have severe allergies/asthma/sinus issues

 

[flortlebap]

He was so tired & cranky from the trip, would not sleep and spent the entire flight crying and kicking the seats in front of us.

I bet the people in front LOVED you!

 

[Mono~rail]

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.

Oh, please! Are you serious?

Lulu's Mom, just be sure to check with your DD's pediatrician. He/She may recommend diphenhydramine (Benadryl) or something else they feel more comfortable with. My 18 month old DD twins take PediaTex, and it makes them groggy.

*The only thing I feel the need to point out with diphenhydramine is that it should not be given to children age 2 and under who have a history of chronic lung disease (asthma). It dries the airway passages and can cause respiratory distress (asthma attack). Some pediatricians may recommend NOT giving it to asthmatic children older than age 2 depending on the severity of their CLD.

Another drug that is NOT recommended for children under age 2 is promethazine (brand name Phenergan). This is recent information published about 6-12 months ago. It can cause respiratory depression, and some children stopped breathing in their sleep.

The important thing with ALL medications is to check with your child's regular pediatrician before administering!

 

[PeachesDoesHair]

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.

I hardly think you had enough information to verify anything.

Do what you feel is right for your child. Speak to their doctor. And do what you feel is right. I plan on speaking with my children's doctor about decongestants before the flight. I get severe ear pain and I worry about them. Good luck and have fun!!!!

 

[wrighter]

I flew with my DS 3 and DD 1 cross-country by myself just two weeks ago. We are frequent fliers, and I feel confident in my abilities to keep my children entertained and in good form on flights. But that said, they are still kids, and since I as flying by myself I spoke with our pediatrician about Benadryl for my DD. (My DS has a DVD player, and we brought crafts, coloring books, playdough, etc. for him - he was awesome.)

But my DD is at the absolute worst age to fly with. She's been walking for months, can't communicate, doesn't understand consequences and isn't easily entertained in a seated position. Since I was by myself, I decided to try the Benadryl. When we did the trial run the week before the trip, it worked like a charm. But just as a PP noted, when I used it on the plane it didn't work as well. She slept for an hour, but when we awoke she was NOT happy. Then I was dealing with a ticked off, tired, groggy, freaked out toddler, rather than just a busy one.

Since you are traveling through the night, would it be too much to hope that your little one would sleep on his/her own? You might be surprised. Once the initial curiosity wears off, sleep might come on its own. Just a thought. But do what you think is going to give you the best shot at arriving with your sanity intact, your children in good spirits, and other passengers not throwing tomatos at you.

If you do decide to try Benadryl, don't beat yourself up about it. And don't worry about what others might think. People who drive to their distination have the luxury of stopping whenever they need to, getting out the of car, and walking around. Their kids can burn off some steam. Airplanes don't offer that luxury. And when you drive, if your kids are nutty, there's nobody to be bothered but yourselves. On an airplane, you are also trying to be considerate of hundreds of other travelers. Don't sweat it - do what you think is right for you.

Good luck!!!

 

[noodleknitter]

Benadryl was liquid speed to all of my kids. As was pseudafed (sp?).

And dramamine made them dizzy and sick when we tried it on the train for motion sickness.

Absolutly nothing works the way it "should" in everyone. Does she usually get tired when you give her benadryl?

We were given some melatonin to give my son before a hospital visit that worked very well for us, though.

With all Children's Services have to deal with, a small extra dose of an antihistimine does not constitute abuse. That is just plain silliness.

 

[Lulu's Mom]

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.

Thank you for the unwanted threat... but if my pediatrician oks it, and it will help her to not get sick then I think it would be fine.

And how is it illegal???? Are you saying i is illegal for me to give my child tylenol if she is not feeling well, or saline nose drops if her nose is runny???

I think the problem here is that I used it in the term to help her sleep... if you did read my thread when I fully explained more you will see that she does get sick and uncomfortable on planes, so are you suggesting that I just let her be sick???

Somethimes the people on here are so quick to jump on someone and judge when they really have no idea what is going on.

Once again my fault for posting the question but I thought I would ask others for their experience.

Thank you to those people who gave me their experiences I really appreciate it.

 

[Lulu's Mom]

I want to thank everyone for sharing their experiences. My DD has an appointment with her Ped. before we go to get some cream for her excema that is really bad in her elbows right now. I will talk to him and see what he says.

I am hoping that she will just sleep the whole time, since we are planning on skipping her nap and keeping her active all day so that she will hopefully just pass out from being so tired.

I just want to thank you guys all again

 

[bartleby1]

As far as I'm concerned, the choice is yours as to what is best for your child. Personally, I wouldn't give my children an antihistimine or decongestant before a flight unless absolutely needed because I have seen my kids react differently to the same medication too many times. Sometimes they get hyper, other times they get sleepy. I also don't like giving medicine unless it is really needed.

Also, years ago, when I was around 12 yrs old, my ears were clogged due to allergies so I took an antihistimine before getting on a plane. This was the WORST flight of my life! I was in such severe ear pain that I had tears rolling down my face. It was horrible. Even after landing, my ears didn't "pop" for 3 days. When I returned home, I went to my doctor who informed me that taking the antihistimine was the worst thing I could have done. He advised decongestants ONLY before flying. I don't exactly know what the reasoning was, but I will NEVER try an antihistimine before a flight again. I remember the pain like it was yesterday.

Maybe this experience was an isolated case, maybe my doctor was a quack, maybe the pain would have been there regardless of the drug, I don't know. But, I would never take the chance again. Just something else to consider before giving Benedryl to your kids. BTW, I had taken chlorotrimeton (sp?) at the time which was an antihistimine. I don't even know if they still make that or not?

 

[justhat]

I just wanted to add that the latest research on pediatric use of diphenhydramine is that it does NOT cause sleepiness like it does in adults. Not all drugs have the same effect on kids as they do on adults and this apparently is one of them. My husband is an anesthesiologist so he constantly reads about drug research and he told me this about a month or 2 ago, since we always thought we were just "unlucky" that when we'd give our daughter Benedryl for colds she never got sleepy from it.

 

[KristinU]

I'd recommend that whatever you decide to go with, be it Benadryl or a skipped nap - try it before you leave home. My DS gets wired and cranky when he misses a nap - so just like a medicine, a skipped nap isn't a sure thing either. For the record, our ped has recommended Benadryl for travel in the past...go with what you and your ped decide.

Cheers!

 

[flortlebap]

Phenargen!! That's the banned one I was talking about. Not available here in England, but widely available in Ireland.

 

[noodleknitter]

I just wanted to add that the latest research on pediatric use of diphenhydramine is that it does NOT cause sleepiness like it does in adults. Not all drugs have the same effect on kids as they do on adults and this apparently is one of them. My husband is an anesthesiologist so he constantly reads about drug research and he told me this about a month or 2 ago, since we always thought we were just "unlucky" that when we'd give our daughter Benedryl for colds she never got sleepy from it.

Well, that explains that! I never had a kid get sleepy from any sort of med. Then again, everything makes me speed, too!