Has any one used a sedative on their child for the flight?

[samphe]

I'm off tomorrow, so i realise this is a bit last minute. But has anyone used a sedative to get their kids to sleep on the plane. We are due to arrive in Sanford at 13:00 Est, and we estimate that we'll be at the villa at 15:00 Est. Here in the U.K. that will be 20:00. This is the usual bedtime for my eldest and my youngest has usually been in bed an hour then. As it will mid afternoon then i don't want them to go to bed then but i also don't want them to be tired and crotchety.

My cousin is giving some Phenergan to her kids to make them sleep on the flight. I'm wondering whether to do the same. However i should point out that her children (5 & 2) are used to a daytime sleep and mine (6 & 3) are not.

I wondering if i give mine the sedative whether they will definately sleep or whether they'll just fight it and it will just make them tired and irritable.

Does any one have any advice???

 

[btab]

Difficult to say how your children will cope. We gave ours phenergan on the flight home from Tampa last year (aged 9 & 8). One slept like a dream, while the other had nightmares and was thrashing all over the place ! not much help really. You may just have to do it once and see what happens. Good luck !!

BTAB

 

[gilld]

This is a contentious issue and everyone has to do what they think is right. Personally as a nurse I do not believe in sedating anyone, be it child or adult, without very good reaon and I didn't do it when mine were small. There is a school of thought that no-one should take sedation on a flight in case of an emergency when everyone would need to be alert.

You must do what you think best of course, but I wouldn't.

Good luck and have a great holiday.

 

[Miffy2003]

double post, sorry!

 

[Miffy2003]

They may sleep on the plane anyway?

My first trip with my DDs they were 3 & 6. The 3 year old fell asleep for an hour or two (like they do in a long car journey). The 6 year old didn't but was absolutely fine until bedtime. The sunshine perked them (and us) up.

 

[DisneyDotty]

Well, I didn't give it to sedate him, but it worked... My DS7 is afraid of flying and battles nausea while in the air, so lately I've been giving him Dramamine once we're on the plane. It knocks him out!
I've heard of pediatricians recommending Benedryl...
Myself, I prefer a cocktail of Dramamine with a beer chaser--for me, not my son!

 

[Stella_the_Staff]

Never mind the kids! I wouldn't mind something myself to make me more relaxed or even drowsy. My children loved every minute of the plane journey, they really enjoyed watching their own TV's and not one complaint about their food! (by the way, I am a good cook) Not once did they misbehave and no arguments between all 3 of them. It was me who couldn't relax, felt very uneasy. I remember feeling very tired but could not sleep at all.

 

[the kabuki]

I would watch for the side effects of some of this stuff. If I give my DS7 anything that states "will cause drowsiness" it actually has the opposite effect on him, he's bouncing off the walls. One of my nieces has the same reaction along with DH.

I think I'd rather just bring along lots of things to keep them busy, plus they may just fall asleep a bit on their own for lack of anything else to do.

 

[Cochise]

Not sure what they contain but i have used Travel Sickness pills and they do relax you but dont "put you out". I am of the firm opinion that nobody should take drugs that will render them comotosed,for a flight as this is simply putting the life of other passengers in danger in the event of an emergency. It is no better than getting drunk.

My tuppence worth.

 

[allie5]

If you are going to do it, then I wouldnt use Phanergan or Drammamine as they REALLY knock them out. I may use the UK cold remedy, Medised. It is only a mild sedative (but effective) and you can wake your child if nessacary. Both mine have used it before with no side effects (when they have been sick). I would NEVER use something for the first time on an aircraft, as some of the side effects can be horrific.

Phenergan has had cot death issues with younger children and isnt available without prescription or for infants.

 

[trevorsem]

I remember feeling very tired but could not sleep at all.

That's the excitement .

Every time we get too the airport by 7:00am, yet I can only sleep for about an hour on the plane.

Just bought a cheap personal CD player for the plane

T

 

[VSL]

I really agree with gilld on this.
Could be VERY dangerous.

Not only that, but children have a basic human right to be conscious!
Sedatives shouldn't just be about convenience, or to give parents some peace and quiet!

*I'm going to stop now because the more I think about this the more angered I get..

 

[wicket2005]

To be honest, I was quite shocked at the question. It has never occurred to me that people would want to sedate their kids. As far as I am concerned you only should use medicines when you absolutely have to.

I have travelled with my sons three times to Florida, at these ages 7 and 5, 9 and 7, 11 and 9 and they have never been a problem. What they tend to do is stay awake during the flight there and have a nap in the car when we are travelling from the airport.

The journey there is part of the excitement of the holiday.

 

[Andrea B]

Same here. I would never dream of using anything medical unless ill!! On last years flight the children in the rows in front,behind and to the side of us, along with my daughter played hide-and-seek for about 2 hours!! Imagine that on a plane if you can...it was really funny to watch them.

 

[allie5]

After last years flight, I would consider it for my son, but not for my other child.

My son (2) has a (as yet undiagnosed) condition, where he gets very distressed in "different situations" or with crowds or confined spaces. I spoke to Virgin Special Assistance last year and they were marvelous, allocating him one of their special "car insert" seats and a bulkhead. I really dont know how I would have coped without this.

As it was, it was a very difficult take off, but we got through it. On the return journey (night flight) he became severely distressed again and screamed for 2 whole hours. If I had had my Medised with me, I WOULD have used it, and intend to this year if it happens again.

However, for my "normal" balanced, happy 5 year old, I would NEVER consider it. In some cases though, the right medicine (and by that I dont feel that phenergan or dramamine are acceptable in ANY cases) given as a small dose to aid sleep on a one off occasion (provided the child has used it before with no side effects) can be beneficial to both the child AND others on the flight.

I will be definately considering a spoonful of Medised for my son on the night flight home this year. I dont feel this is irresponsible at all.

Allie

 

[ilPapa]

give them a couple of jellies and they should be alright!

 

[DisneyDotty]

Hmm....I'm curious as to what people have against Dramamine? Is there some harmful side effect I should know about? It has really helped prevent motion sickness in my DS, but I would not give it to him if there's something in it we should avoid...TIA!

 

[alisonbestford]

Be extremely careful.
I gave Phenergan (?spelling?) when DD was small and wouldn't sleep - ever! It made her lots worse.
It is one of the potential side - effects, as with many drugs, that restlessness could be an issue.

 

[henry jones junior]

Would avoid sedating any child
I work as an anaesthetist
Phenergan unpredictable - can actually act conversely and cause stimulation/ excitement - rather than sedative
Took our 3 year old in January - she was awake for 11 hours on the flight - arrived 4pm Orlando time - luckily we took the buggy onboard and she slept thru customs
Let your kids pace the holiday and let them sleep when they want to
It will make your life much easier

 

[Cyrano]

I have to agree with the sentiment here. Medicine only when required for medical condition.
Lots of books and familar items would be best medicine

Reid