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

[maxiesmom]

I never said it was illegal to give benadryl to your kids. I think it is wrong to give it to them when they don't need it. I asked how giving kids benadryl to make them pliant was different than giving them valium for the same reason, like the lady of Oprah did. Except for the fact that one is o-t-c and one is not, no one has explained a difference. Both were being used to make the children dopey. That was the reason.

Noodleknitter mentioned all of the items that many people use which are considered drugs. So I made the connection between offering your child an over the counter drug and offering them wine. They are both drugs. Noodleknitter said so. I am not making it up. And I was refering to the benadryl being over the counter, not the wine. So no, I don't need psych meds. Thanks for caring.

Mellissac--Your post actually expalins things. Which is what no one else would take the time to do. If you are giving your child meds for a reason OTHER THAN MAKING THEM ZOMBIES that is fine. If there are other benefits to benedryl besides the sleepiness, that makes sense. I wouldn't say to not give your child a med when there is something actually wrong with them. But if you are just druging your child to make them less of a bother, that is wrong!

Monorail, noodleknitter, thanks for the personal attacks. It is really stylish to resort to name calling when you have nothing left to say.

 

[Mono~rail]

Monorail, noodleknitter, thanks for the personal attacks. It is really stylish to resort to name calling when you have nothing left to say.

I went back and checked and I can't see where I "personally attacked" you. You said I said things that I did not, and I took up for myself. The personal attacks were coming from you. I also don't see where I called you any names. What specifically was the name (or names) I called you?

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

i would nevre medicate my children for a flight.
My DD was 9months old when we flew last year and we were going to give her her bottle upon take off and lo and behold she didn't even need that.

 

[WDWfor5]

I went back and checked and I can't see where I "personally attacked" you. You said I said things that I did not, and I took up for myself. The personal attacks were coming from you. I also don't see where I called you any names. What specifically was the name (or names) I called you?

I can't speak for maxiesmom, but I think stating she needed "psych meds" was more than a little over the top and I would consider it a personal attack if someone said that about me. It might not be "a name" but its certainly nasty as was laughing at noodleknitter's post saying they make meds for people like her.

JMHO

 

[maxiesmom]

I went back and checked and I can't see where I "personally attacked" you. You said I said things that I did not, and I took up for myself. The personal attacks were coming from you. I also don't see where I called you any names. What specifically was the name (or names) I called you?

Where did I quote you? I haven't. I said that if I FOLLOWED YOUR LOGIC I could give wine to a child. I didn't say you said to give wine to a child.

And using a picture is as good as calling someone a name. Just because you didn't spell it out with letters doesn't mean it wasn't rude.

 

[MSSANDRA]

Just to let you know, Benedryl IS used for nausea. I was almost 100% sure that our dr. had advised us to use it when DS was little for travel sickess and Post op nausea so I checked a drug web site and it IS indicated for nausea. It CAN also reduce any fluid on the ears so that may help in preventing ear pain. Our Dr told us when DS was little that benedryl was a really SAFE drug that has a lot of wonderful qualities and to not to be afraid to use it.


Again ASK YOUR DOCTOR. Ours would have said yes.

 

[melissac]

I apologize for stating the benadryl wrong. It is benadryl decongestant that we use which is diphenhydramine/pseudoephedrine. Now, lets state a drug book on what the attended uses are(therapeutic effects): allergic reaction, nighttime sleep aid, prevention of motion sickness, relief of pressure in the eustachain tubes and nasal congestion (plus other things that do not relate to flying ex. anaphylaxis and dystonic reaction to medication). So, please don't think of it as just a season allergy medication it has many uses that people are not aware of.

 

[melissac]

I forgot to add in response to WDWfor5 using it as a prophalactic and waiting and seeing what happens. Once the negative reaction happens it is to late and you are fighting an uphill battle and very uncomfortable for the child. For example your to premedicate with tylenol before immunization, or take antiemtics(nausea prevention) before chemo or antibiotics before some dental surgeries(there are a million more but, I think you get the point) this is for prevention because you don't want to risk a reaction and be suffering because of it. You will never know how someone will react but why take the chance and have them suffer if they do have a negative reaction.

 

[WDWfor5]

I apologize for stating the benadryl wrong. It is benadryl decongestant that we use which is diphenhydramine/pseudoephedrine. Now, lets state a drug book on what the attended uses are(therapeutic effects): allergic reaction, nighttime sleep aid, prevention of motion sickness, relief of pressure in the eustachain tubes and nasal congestion (plus other things that do not relate to flying ex. anaphylaxis and dystonic reaction to medication). So, please don't think of it as just a season allergy medication it has many uses that people are not aware of.

Ahh - yes, Benadryl Decongestant definetely does treat more things that just regular Benadryl. That makes much more sense.

And if your child is known to have problems with motion sickness, is sick while flying and is congested ( a whole different DIS debate best saved for a different thread) this makes a lot of sense.

However, the OP (any many posters) are talking about medicating (and I know it's OTC - it's still medicine) a child with no previous flying issues so that the child sleeps on a plane and is less hyper. Those things are not listed as acceptable uses for the medicine anywhere.

As for pediatrians, unfortunately they're human too and their own personal preferences make there way into the medical advice they give. Not to , just as an example on how doctors are not always right: I had a pedicatircian tell me there was no medical difference between breastmilk and formula When I asked her about the AAP statements on the benefits of breastmilk she told me she used formula for her kids and she doesn't care what the AAP says

As for my pediatricians their standing advice is: No medication to treat symptoms unless they pose a risk to the child. I called them when my DD was 3 and she was throwing up from coughing and asked about medicine and they told me that the OTC medication has potential side effects that in their opinion outweigh the benfits and that Is hold basicaly "suck it up" (not there exact words but pretty close ) and clean up after her until she got better. They'v eeased up now that the kids are older but they're still conservative. So I can't even imagine asking them if I could treat my child "prophalactically" because she might be not sleep on the flight

 

[melissac]

Just so you know all the decongestive part of Benadryl Decongestant is for is relief of pressure in the eustachain tubes and nasal congestion the rest of the therapeutic effects come from bendryl.

 

[DisneyPhD]

Wow, lot's of judgment here tonight. Then again it is Dis and an parenting subject..........

Funny story about Benadryl. When my DD was a baby she wouldn't sleep for longer then 2 hours at a time. Never (well the only time she did was our 1st night at WDW, but that is another story, she was so worn out.)

Anyway I remember thinking "I just want to give her some Benadryl" so she can sleep a bit longer once and maybe get use to it." I never did because I didn't want to drug her. However as it turns out the reasons she wasn't sleeping was she was allergic to milk (she was breast feed so she didn't have direct contact with milk) and we didn't know it. If I had given it to her it actually would of helped her, even it if didn't make her sleepy. Turns out my gut was right, but I didn't listen to it. (However that wouldn't have helped use figure out what the problem was to make changes.) Still it would of helped her have some relief.

Now I go no where with out it (but she hardly ever takes Benadryl, just in case.)

Do what you think is right, test it ahead of time and as always and everyone as said, talk with your Doctor 1st too.

Have a safe flight and a wonderful vacation.

 

[supersuperwendy]

Why take the redeye???? just curious......

how much would it cost to switch to a different flight??? perhaps the next morning instead?

 

[Mono~rail]

Where did I quote you? I haven't. I said that if I FOLLOWED YOUR LOGIC I could give wine to a child. I didn't say you said to give wine to a child.

And using a picture is as good as calling someone a name. Just because you didn't spell it out with letters doesn't mean it wasn't rude.

I never said any sort of logic like you are describing. Initially, you were comparing diphenhydramine to diazepam. I explained that one is OTC and the other is a scheduled narcotic. I said the difference is logical. Now you keep saying you are "following my logic" and talking about giving wine to kids and "slipping" other adults nearby drugs and other craziness. Get a grip! There is no reasoning with someone who has no interest in being rational.

And disagreeing with someone is NOT a personal attack.

 

[Brooknwdw]

As for my pediatricians their standing advice is: No medication to treat symptoms unless they pose a risk to the child. I called them when my DD was 3 and she was throwing up from coughing and asked about medicine and they told me that the OTC medication has potential side effects that in their opinion outweigh the benfits and that Is hold basicaly "suck it up" (not there exact words but pretty close ) and clean up after her until she got better. They'v eeased up now that the kids are older but they're still conservative. So I can't even imagine asking them if I could treat my child "prophalactically" because she might be not sleep on the flight

Wow..I'd hate for my kids to have your ped!

Throwing up from coughing and nothing to make the child more comfortable? That is harsh. There are LOTS of gentle yet effective meds out there (OTC and perscribed).

Mine used to cough to the point of throwing up alot (at night) , and something had to be done.

Like you said in your post..Ped's are only human.

 

[noodleknitter]

Can't imagine a ped that wouldn't medicate a child who vomits when coughing. I had 2 that would do that. The first time (with any given cold) was always a surprise, and the poor kid would awaken to choking on his vomit.

Wine and valium = addictive substances. Benedryl does not equal addiction...different story. Wine also will not help sleep, FYI.

Frankly, giving your child a Mountain Dew is drugging him/her as much as giving a dose of benedryl or dramamine. When you (as an adult, in case MM still believes i am advocating alcohol for children) come home and have a glass of wine, or a hot cup of valerian tea, you too are using a drug. That morning cup of sunshine, aka coffee or tea, is also a drug that can affect your adrenal system.

I have given ibuprophren, cough med, teething tablets, colic meds, tea, coffee, melatonin, etc., prophylactically, and for various reasons. Many people even give immunizations when there are occasionally horrific consequences. Can you imagine doing such a thing? Being a parent is about doing what is best for a child, pure and simple.

If I had issues with crabby children...I wouldn't have had 7!

 

[maxiesmom]

I have given ibuprophren, cough med, teething tablets, colic meds, tea, coffee, melatonin, etc., prophylactically, and for various reasons. Many people even give immunizations when there are occasionally horrific consequences. Can you imagine doing such a thing? Being a parent is about doing what is best for a child, pure and simple.

If I had issues with crabby children...I wouldn't have had 7!

But I doubt you make a practice of giving your children cough medicine when they don't have a cough. Or ibuprophen when they are not in pain.

If you are giving your child benadryl because of allergies or other problems, that is fine. But if you give your child any drug just to make them easier to manage I think it is wrong. I never said that you were giving you child wine. I am trying to make you see that there are many things you could give your child to make them placid. It doesn't make it right. And just because you can by a med o-t-c doesn't make it right in my mind either.

The immunization debate we can leave for another time. I know many people who do not trust them.

 

[WDWfor5]

Can't imagine a ped that wouldn't medicate a child who vomits when coughing. I had 2 that would do that. The first time (with any given cold) was always a surprise, and the poor kid would awaken to choking on his vomit.

Wine and valium = addictive substances. Benedryl does not equal addiction...different story. Wine also will not help sleep, FYI.

Frankly, giving your child a Mountain Dew is drugging him/her as much as giving a dose of benedryl or dramamine. When you (as an adult, in case MM still believes i am advocating alcohol for children) come home and have a glass of wine, or a hot cup of valerian tea, you too are using a drug. That morning cup of sunshine, aka coffee or tea, is also a drug that can affect your adrenal system.

I have given ibuprophren, cough med, teething tablets, colic meds, tea, coffee, melatonin, etc., prophylactically, and for various reasons. Many people even give immunizations when there are occasionally horrific consequences. Can you imagine doing such a thing? Being a parent is about doing what is best for a child, pure and simple.

If I had issues with crabby children...I wouldn't have had 7!

Just to say I agree with you on the Mountain Dew to a point - caffeine is a drug, especially in children. BUT I would never even consider allowing my young child to drink Mountain Dew Besides being a drug it's unhealthy and terrible for their teeth. I don't understand the logic of saying well Mountain Dew is a drug just like Benadryl, therefore both are okay My logic would be more like Mountain Dew and Benadryl ar eboth drugs, so don't give your CHILD either unless medically neccesary

And by the way the argument your using that Benadryl is okay since it's no more a drug than the other things you mentioned it the same argument maxiesmom used to say well if Benadryl is okay, then what about Valium? She wasn't suggesting they were the same thing just that somewhere the line has to be drawn and for her(and me) it's no meds unless medically neccesary which doesn't include in case they would have gotten sick or so they sleep and don't annoy me.

As for my peds, there are 4 of them who all agree that medicine is to be used sparingly and only when absolutely neccesary. If more doctors felt that way we wouldn't have such a problem with antibiotic resistant bacteria that we have today. If the cough is really bad (ie. croup) they prescribe the correc tmedication, if it's just post nasal drip and annoying my DD and me, they suggest homeopathic remedies such as propping her up, etc. rather than medicating her. I love that they're willing to actually think about my individual children and what they need rather than just had me a prescription to make me happy. Different storkes for different folks I guess

 

[mrsltg]

Yes, I have given both of my girls Benadryl for flying. The happy side-effect is sleepiness (though as others have pointed out, it can have the opposite effect - give it a shot before flying) the more important aspect is relieving pressure in the sinuses and ears as Benadryl dries everything up. Yes, I spoke to my pediatrician about it first and she was very positive about the idea. It's not "drugging" your child for the sake of drugging them, rather it's about making them comfortable which in turn will make about 100 other people comfortable. You wouldn't think twice about giving an adult with a fear of flying medication to calm them or to make motion sickness or allergies better, why not give a child the same consideration?

 

[justhat]

Just an fyi for those of you who think that your drs wouldn't tell you to take medicine unnecessarily, that's not entirely true. When my husband was in medical school he worked in 2 ERs and several different GP offices. He was told by multiple physicians in all of those locations to write out a script before discharging people, regardless of whether or not they needed anything. The reasoning is that many people feel that if they leave a dr's office (or ER) without a script (when they're sick that is) that the dr didn't do anything for them and it was a waste of their money and time. But by leaving with that little piece of paper they feel like the dr validated their concerns about their illness, that it was worth their time to see the dr cause they needed medication, etc. Of course they never gave anything harmful, but something that made the patient feel better. And there is research behind that-that patients will feel better faster taking a prescription than taking nothing, even if it's a placebo, simply cause they think it's doing something.

Those of you who have kids who vomit while coughing, what exactly did your ped give you that worked? I am really interested cause my daughter has always coughed till she vomited with every cold she's gotten. This has been going on since her first cold at 9 months and nothing has ever helped her. We give her Benedryl and Sudafed at bedtime with every cold yet she still wakes several times a night coughing and vomiting. So any advice would be great.

Oh, and we've got some of those peds who do not medicate unless absolutely necessary-the entire group of them and there are about 8 attendings, plus several residents. They did let us give Benedryl for colds (and after she turned 2 Sudafed was okayed too) but only after the cold got so bad that she started the cough/vomit thing. Basically about the vomiting though they just said to ride it out till she outgrows it.

And my husband is another dr who does not medicate unnecessarily, outside of work that is. He never wants to give our kids anything unless there is a true medical need for it. If one of our kids is congested for a flight, rather than give Benedryl (even the one with Sudafed in it) he'd rather just give plain Sudafed as he wouldn't see a need to give Benedryl too since it wouldn't help the ear pressure at all. Of course, we've never had any problems with ear pain in our daughter on any flight and she's been on more than 20. That might be an option for those of you who are flying with sick kids and want to relieve some congestion/ear pressure, just give Sudafed not Benedryl with Sudafed. Good way to eliminate an unnecessary drug but still help your kids feel more comfortable.

Another suggestion which has worked well for us on many flights is to bring along our laptop and let our daughter watch a dvd during the flight. She sits in her carseat so the movie has to sit on my tray table (or my husband's) but we'd rather lose the space and keep her entertained. We don't really allow much tv at home (just Mickey Mouse Clubhouse on weekends, aside from my early pregnancy when I was so sick anyway) so this works particularly well cause it's a treat for her. Like another poster, we flew from DC to Hawaii when she was 20 months old and had no trouble at all. We took a red eye flight home and she fell asleep watching Monsters Inc. soon after the flight took off and slept all the way to Salt Lake City. And we took first class on that trip so we were so nervous that she'd get bored and annoy people who were paying so much more for a more comfortable flight, but she was fine and people even complimented us on her behavior on our arrival in Hawaii. So try the dvd technique-it works great for us!

 

[noodleknitter]

Two choices that have worked for us and the whole vomit issue. One was Delsym, which just kept the tickle down and worked for the night...usually! The other had codeine in it, and was called Promethazine...or something like that! Your sweetie should be able to decode my guess!

I agree with your statements about drs medicating without a need. Just the number of antibiotics given for viruses is a crime. I would never give my child one, or take one myself unless it was certain that it was a bacterial infection.

Propping a child up is not a homeopathic medication. It is common sense, though.