kids first flight

[mommyjam]

This might be a silly question but we are flying to WDW and this will be my kids first time on a plane. My mother-in-law suggested that I give them all dramamine before the flight. My husband and I neither one get sick while flying. Would this be a good idea or is it really needed. I just know the fight I will have trying to give them "medicine".

 

[kamik86]

I wouldn't. If you can have some with you in case they feel sick after you take off (then it won't be as much of a fight as they actually don't feel good).

 

[tjmw2727]

I wouldn't, esp if they haven't ever gotten carsick and since you and dh don't get airsick. I they have issues on the way out you can always get some for the return trip.

I would avoid dairy just in case, it won't cause airsickness but makes things more "complicated" if they do get sick. Ginger helps so I always have some ginger snaps or pepperidge farm ginger boy cookies on hand when flying.

If they are younger a sippie cup or sport bottle for takeoff can help with ears as can gummy candy, starbursts or gum for an older child.

 

[dzorn]

If they have never gotten car sick I would skip it. I might suggest benadryl because any inflamation in the ear canal will be reduced so hopefully less painful for them. It does make some sleepy and other very alert so do not use it if they have not had it before.

Denise in MI

 

[dzorn]

I wouldn't. If you can have some with you in case they feel sick after you take off (then it won't be as much of a fight as they actually don't feel good).

By the time it would have full effect it would not be worth it. If my sister does not take it before the nausea sets it you may as well skip it. YMMV

Denise in MI

 

[dudspizza]

I would suggest giving them nothing. Kids handle flying just fine, unless they have issues with motion sickness.

It never occurred to me to "drug" my child to fly. My kids have flown since they were 2 and 5. They have been on 6-8 flights already and have never had any issues.

If they are old enough, I would bring something to help with their ears as the plane descends. Chewing gum is great, but other things like fruit snacks can helps. As posted earlier, a sippy cup for a smaller child can help as well.

Have a great trip.

Duds

 

[n2mm]

A couple of my grandkids get car sick, but never had problems flying. I would avoid the "drugs". Flying is not a big deal. My grandkids have flown so many times now they don't give it a second thought. Most started flying at 3-6 months old. Just bring activities with you. We fly Jetblue most of the time, so my 5yo and 3 yo granddaughters enjoy watching the TV. Even my 16 yo grandson watches the TVs on Jetblue. If your airline does not provide entertainment, bring your own.

 

[deegack]

Maybe some tylenol 30-45 minutes before the flight but that would be it. Ditto the having them drink something during take off and landing.

 

[skelooch]

I too began bringing my Grandkids to Disney when they were less than a year old, now they are all seasoned flyers and never experience any problems except an occasional ear discomfort.
So I would also recommend the chewing gum/soft candy during landings as this is when most children experience the pressure increases. Take offs are usually not an issue.

 

[At World's End]

I wouldn't give them anything, especially if they have never had that medicine before. You don't know how they will react.

The ear pain that kids (and adults) experience is due to the change in the cabin pressure, which usually takes place several minutes prior to landing. I would have the candy/lollipops/sippy cup ready about 15-20 minutes prior to landing.

 

[clanmcculloch]

The only medication I've ever given my kids before flying has been the same decongestant and/or antihistamine that I normally give them and only when they're dealing with congestion already. Congestion and flying can mean pain. My 12yo does get car sick on occasion but she's never gotten in the least bit sick flying.

DD10 is prone to ear pain when flying even with her normal antihistamine (we start the antihistamine daily at least a week before we travel because she has allergy problems) so I now use Ear Planes for her. While she still gets a bit of discomfort on descent, she no longer has troubles going up and the severity going down is significantly less than it was without them.

Never use flying as a time to experiment with new medications. NEVER!!! That last thing you want is to risk an adverse reaction at 30000 feet in the air.

 

[mommyjam]

thanks guys I dont like to medicate my children unless I have to, but she kept insisting I should do this just in case. I love my inlaws but we definetly disagree about giving medicine to the kids. Everytime one of them sneezes they start hounding me to get them on antibiotics. I think I will just tell her "thanks for the advice" and not tell her I have no intention of following it.

 

[Microcell]

Solid Plan OP!

Depending on the ages of the kids our pediatrician suggested Sweet Oil drops to put in thier ears to hep reduce pressure. It is over the counter at any pharmacy.

I get car sick as all get out, and planes are not the same at all, but if you want to take ginger candies to have the kids suck on it would help with pressure and nausea!

Have fun!

 

[bdcp]

Very few people get airsick. I used to get carsick and I get seasick in rough seas but I have never been airsick (or motion sick on a train). I wouldn't medicate them unless I knew for a fact they get sick. My oldest son gets motion sick but flying doesn't bother him in the least.

 

[Chelley00]

thanks guys I dont like to medicate my children unless I have to, but she kept insisting I should do this just in case. I love my inlaws but we definetly disagree about giving medicine to the kids. Everytime one of them sneezes they start hounding me to get them on antibiotics. I think I will just tell her "thanks for the advice" and not tell her I have no intention of following it.

My MIL is the same way. Kids coughing? They must have swine flu. Kids have temperature. Well, obviously they have malaria. Diarrhea? It's cholera

I didn't give the kids anything before we flew, but I did make sure that I packed an extra change of clothes, plastic bag and a Ziploc of wipes....just in case. We never needed it, but I felt better knowing I was prepared if someone did get sick.

 

[Sandi]

I'm the mom of a 16 yo DD who does get motion sickness. She has been flying since she was an infant and really didn't develop the motion sickness problem until she was about 8 yo. I wouldn't give your kids Dramamine or anything else until you know how they do with flying. Definitely have chewing gum or lollipops on hand. DD16 now takes Bonine before flying, long boat rides (across Lake Michigan), and long bus rides (to WDW from Michigan) and does fine with that. We checked with her doctor before medicating.

OP, your plan is perfect. Well meaning people sometimes have it wrong and it's okay to not take their advice.