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

[despina]

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.

Is there something wrong with you to make such a suggestive threat to this mother....she stated in earlier thread her child gets ill during flight. You need to find out more info before typing such garbage.

We are on this board for support, info , suggestions, not what you did.

 

[dizneefamily5]

OP, I hope you're still reading this thread after all the ridiculous comments you've received I know someone mentioned melatonin, which is great. My dd takes this occasionally for insomia issues. It's a natural substance that the body creates when it's "sleepy time". Works great.

Our other dd has pretty severe motion sickness and we almost cancelled our trip because of it. She was 3 at the time. We took her to the dr and she suggested that we use Dramamine (actually a generic version). She said it was fine to use for one day while travelling so that she could get thought it. It does cause her to be very tired and sleep most of the trip - but she's not throwing up so we use it when we travel.

Good luck and have a great trip!!!

 

[luvsmickeymouse]

I have used Benadryl for my kids when we fly . It helps with their ears. My kids both have repaired cleft lip and palate so I had to be extra careful with their ears. Benadryl has alot of uses. My son just got home from the hospital from having yet another surgery and they used benadryl to settle his stomach and it relaxed him. He had other medications before, during, and after surgery for nausea and didn't want to add something more to what he had so they gave benadryl. It worked. I keep benadryl in the house all the time.

 

[Kahana-ri]

We drug our child before we fly...only because we have to.
DS gets motion sickness. I actually called out pediatrician before our last flight to inquire about Dramamine because DS is over two. The pediatrician said the same thing as many PP, that sometimes there is a reverse reaction. Dramamine is pretty harsh medication, so I was happy to just give Benadryl. DS was drowsy and slept well.
Personally I wouldn't give him medication otherwise only becuase it keeps him pretty sleepy for the day. Our first day at WDW he was still too drowsy to really enjoy himself.
Each situation is different as is each child, do what is most comfortable for you.

 

[maxiesmom]

Put me in the "I don't get it" camp. There are so many parents who have posted that they dose their children before they fly. How about actually flying with them at least once before you decide they need meds? Your child might be fine. Why give them drugs before they need them? If your child is ill, or does get motion sick, that is different. But drugging them to make your own life easier is sick. Remember the lady who thought it was a good idea to give her kids valium because she was worn out and didn't want to deal with them? How is this different?

 

[Manda]

Remember the lady who thought it was a good idea to give her kids valium because she was worn out and didn't want to deal with them? How is this different?

I think most rational people can see a difference between Valium and Benadryl.

 

[maxiesmom]

I think most rational people can see a difference between Valium and Benadryl.

Really? When it is given with the intent of knocking your child out? Or at best making them totally placid. What is the difference?

 

[Mono~rail]

Really? When it is given with the intent of knocking your child out? Or at best making them totally placid. What is the difference?

Benadryl is an over the counter (non-prescription) medication. Valium is a scheduled narcotic given by prescription only. The difference is logical.

 

[maxiesmom]

What is not logical is to use a medication for something that it is not intended. Benadryl is an allergy medication. It is to relieve sneezing, itching, runny noses, and so on. It does not say on the box "for use to sedate your children when you don't feel like dealing with them."

Following your logic, it would be ok for me to slip whoever I am traveling with some Benadryl, in case they bug me. Becasue if they are asleep they won't cause me any grief.

Being a parent is not always pleasant. So it should be acceptable to drug your children whenever they may cause a scene, or may be a handful? That is so sad.

 

[lulugirl]

I would ask your pediatrician what he/she suggests for your child, then do what you are comfortable with.
Wow, a lot of nonsense on this thread....

 

[Mono~rail]

What is not logical is to use a medication for something that it is not intended. Benadryl is an allergy medication. It is to relieve sneezing, itching, runny noses, and so on. It does not say on the box "for use to sedate your children when you don't feel like dealing with them."

Following your logic, it would be ok for me to slip whoever I am traveling with some Benadryl, in case they bug me. Becasue if they are asleep they won't cause me any grief.

Being a parent is not always pleasant. So it should be acceptable to drug your children whenever they may cause a scene, or may be a handful? That is so sad.

Diphenhydramine is also marketed as a sleep aid . Once again it is sold over the counter in oral forms. It isn't good marketing to say "for use to sedate your children when you don't feel like dealing with them." It is not illegal for a parent to give their child an appropriate dose of an over the counter medication. It is illegal for a parent to give a child a dose of diazepam if the child was not prescribed diazepam. Once again diazepam is a scheduled narcotic.

It is inappropriate for an adult to slip another adult or child they do not have guardianship of medication of any kind. It is not inappropriate for a parent to give their child an appropriate dose of an OTC allergy medication.

I never said anywhere that it was appropriate to "slip" someone Benadryl. You imagined that.

 

[Mono~rail]

It would be committing battery to give another adult or someone else's child (without the parent's permission) any form of medication against their will.

 

[noodleknitter]

What is not logical is to use a medication for something that it is not intended. Benadryl is an allergy medication. It is to relieve sneezing, itching, runny noses, and so on. It does not say on the box "for use to sedate your children when you don't feel like dealing with them."

Following your logic, it would be ok for me to slip whoever I am traveling with some Benadryl, in case they bug me. Becasue if they are asleep they won't cause me any grief.

Being a parent is not always pleasant. So it should be acceptable to drug your children whenever they may cause a scene, or may be a handful? That is so sad.

Wow, you know, they have meds for people like you too... Or, maybe just a nice big cup of chamomile tea. Also a "drug"... Too much caffeine, possibly...oops, I hope not another drug. And, God forbid you imbibe a glass of wine on occasion to self-medicate such a judgemental attitude. You know, those are all not only drugs...but addictive!!!! EEK!

Frankly, meds are used for their side effects all of the time. I have been given anti-depressants because they make most people sleep, and I don't. I've also been given cough medicine for its pain relieving abilities. People take an aspirin a day, so that their blood is thinner. Life isn't as simple as reading the side of a bottle, sometimes...

You must be someone who always sleeps, because its importance is lost on you. Without sleep people are crabby at best and dangerous at the worst. If the OP's child is anything like mine, they start every journey with excitement and the adrenaline flowing. There is no way on earth any of my kids would have slept on a plane. No matter what activity we participated in during the day. If I were to medicate my child, it would be so that they could get at least a wee bit of rest. An act of kindness and love...not laziness or selfishness.

 

[traci]

Did I miss a post or something? Some of these comments act as if your going down to the street corner to buy a bag of crack for your baby! Some people

Talk to your ped and see what he suggests. Good-Luck and happy flying to you and your little one!

 

[Mono~rail]

Wow, you know, they have meds for people like you too...

Too funny, noodleknitter!
​

Did I miss a post or something? Some of these comments act as if your going down to the street corner to buy a bag of crack for your baby! Some people

Talk to your ped and see what he suggests. Good-Luck and happy flying to you and your little one!

Posts on these boards can get so crazy sometimes!

 

[maxiesmom]

The OP asked for opinions. I happen to think it is wrong to medicate your child when they are not ill. And some are giving their children drugs not knowing how they would behave in the first place! Your child may be fine! Of course if you child is drugged, they will be easier to handle. I get that. But it doesn't make it right. So you think that means I need drugs? Apparently you think everyone should be medicated.

I think it sad that people would rather drug their children than to risk them being a little cranky.

 

[maxiesmom]

Wow, you know, they have meds for people like you too... Or, maybe just a nice big cup of chamomile tea. Also a "drug"... Too much caffeine, possibly...oops, I hope not another drug. And, God forbid you imbibe a glass of wine on occasion to self-medicate such a judgemental attitude. You know, those are all not only drugs...but addictive!!!! EEK!

So in your book it would be ok to give the kids some wine before flying? No? Oh that is right, you probably wouldn't give that to a child. But if it is over the counter it is ok.

 

[Mono~rail]

The OP asked for opinions. I happen to think it is wrong to medicate your child when they are not ill. And some are giving their children drugs not knowing how they would behave in the first place! Your child may be fine! Of course if you child is drugged, they will be easier to handle. I get that. But it doesn't make it right. So you think that means I need drugs? Apparently you think everyone should be medicated.

I think it sad that people would rather drug their children than to risk them being a little cranky.

So in your book it would be ok to give the kids some wine before flying? No? Oh that is right, you probably wouldn't give that to a child. But if it is over the counter it is ok.

I can't speak for why exactly noodleknitter made the "they make meds for people like you. . ." (or it went something like that). I think you need some psych meds because you are saying people said stuff that you have made up. Noodleknitter never said anything remotely close to giving wine to a minor. Once again (like you did with me), you made it up. You are saying posters who don't agree with you are advocating illegal activities.

And for the record: wine is not sold by pharmacies so it can not be classified as "over the counter."

 

[melissac]

I want to put in my 2 cents here. I have always given my children benadryl on plane rides. Yes, benadryl is an allergy med and is used as a sleep aid and is in medication like Tylenol PM. But, it is also used for motion sickness. So lets see for a child that has pressure in ears or sinus area related to flying benadryl will help or has motion sickness it will help. My children have flown numerous times since 9 months old and have never had ear pain, nausea or any other problems with flying, never any crying or screaming because thier ears hurt. Yes, the added benifit of lethargia/sleepiness is a plus, that is not the only reason it is a benifit. It also makes the flight more physically comfortable for the child. You, wouldn't deny your child or your self any pain meds. after an injury or tylenol for a headache, why not make thier flight more comfortable. So, don't think of it just as a sleep aid. Think it as a prophylactic to make you child comfortable during a flight. The only time you might not want to give your child benadryl is if they are ADHD because it might have the complete oppisite affect on them.

 

[WDWfor5]

I want to put in my 2 cents here. I have always given my children benadryl on plane rides. Yes, benadryl is an allergy med and is used as a sleep aid and is in medication like Tylenol PM. But, it is also used for motion sickness. So lets see for a child that has pressure in ears or sinus area related to flying benadryl will help or has motion sickness it will help. My children have flown numerous times since 9 months old and have never had ear pain, nausea or any other problems with flying, never any crying or screaming because thier ears hurt. Yes, the added benifit of lethargia/sleepiness is a plus, that is not the only reason it is a benifit. It also makes the flight more physically comfortable for the child. You, wouldn't deny your child or your self any pain meds. after an injury or tylenol for a headache, why not make thier flight more comfortable. So, don't think of it just as a sleep aid. Think it as a prophylactic to make you child comfortable during a flight. The only time you might not want to give your child benadryl is if they are ADHD because it might have the complete oppisite affect on them.[/QUO

Okay - to address a few of these comments, Benadryl does nothing for travel or sickness related ear pain, sinus pain, nausea, etc. It is an allergy medication and one I know well as I suffer from seasonal allergies. If the stuffiness, etc. is an allergic reaction, yes Benadryl may help. If on the otherhand it's related to pressure changes or having a cold, it does NOTHING. Also, while I do give my children and myself medication if we are suffering, I can't imagine medicating them in case they got sick

As for your comment about it being a "prophalactic to make your child comfortable during a flight" - how about waiting to see how your child handles a flight before assuming they need medication? You might be pleasantly suprised.

Also, if anyone is looking for ways to avoid / relieve ear pain while flying here a few pediatrician reccomended ones that have always worked for us:

for a nursing infant/toddler: nurse them during takeoff and landing
if your baby uses a bottle, offer it to them during the same times.

for toddler / preschoolers; they sell lollipops with loop handles which are safer or a small juice box / sippy cup and having them take frequent small sips.

older children: chewing gum, lollipops, hard candies, starburst, etc.

To the Op andanyone traveling with a small child: the best advice is plan well for their every need and they will likely suprise you by being a great traveling companion. They are fasicnated by airports, planes, watching people, etc and the trip there is a learning experience in how to behave that is invaluable. Don't assume they aren't up to the challenge.