11 month old...Benadryl?

[candelaria80]

We are taking our 1st camping trip with DD next week. I was packing up the first aid kit tonight and my neighbor (who has a 12 month old) told me I HAD to bring Benadryl. She said that we needed it in case she had some sort of reaction because emergency services may not be easily accessible.
Is this correct? Should I pick some up?
Thanks!

[Masel]

I think it is a good idea. DD1 has lots of allergies so we always have some on hand. This week I gave some to DD2 (9 months old)for a mysterious rash (after calling the ped's exchange and talking to the oncall nurse.)

[mirlee]

It is always in my first aid kit for camping. I also think it is a good idea.

[Pumpkin_Pie]

Yup, I always carry it in my camping first aid kit too. I am not positive, but I think I remember seeing the dosage on the Dr. Sear's site for babies/toddlers. My son reacted pretty strongly to strawberries at around that age, so I always have it around. You can get dye free children's benadryl and although hopefully you will never need it, it can be a lifesaver in an emergency. Just write the dose that your LO will need on the bottle so you don't even have to think about it in an emergency.

[~Charlie's~Angel~]

As the mother of a little guy with lots of food allergies, i say its a good idea too. I always say that today is NOT the day I want to find out if hes allergic to bee stings. But incase he is...........

[karika]

I am not sure what this benadryl is needed for. I would not give it to a child that young. The makers suggest only giving it to a child over 6 years of age. The additives are not good to be ingested IMO. If you are going to take some with you, please be sure to get the dye free variety at least. It still has many unnatural things in it, but at least not the food colorings. Have you thought of a natural remedy instead? What is the fear that advises one to bring benadryl? Maybe I can help brainstorm something not harmful to put in the kit. My first aid kit is all herbs and remedies made from natural substances.

[~Charlie's~Angel~]

Originally Posted by karika

I am not sure what this benadryl is needed for. I would not give it to a child that young. The makers suggest only giving it to a child over 6 years of age. The additives are not good to be ingested IMO. If you are going to take some with you, please be sure to get the dye free variety at least. It still has many unnatural things in it, but at least not the food colorings. Have you thought of a natural remedy instead? What is the fear that advises one to bring benadryl? Maybe I can help brainstorm something not harmful to put in the kit. My first aid kit is all herbs and remedies made from natural substances.

My little guy had reactions to dairy at that age (11 Months) that would scare you. (and when I say dairy, I mean he ingested an entire mini bagel that apparently had milk in the ingredients, NOT MILK ITSELF) We have epipens that are of course a last resort. If he ingests something that causes a mild reaction, (i.e. hives, sneezing, coughing, watery runny nose) I am going to resort to the benydryl before stabbing him in the leg with the epipen.

[karika]

We are gluten, casein (dairy) and soy free here. So the fear is the child will ingest someone else's food while out camping? There are many natural remedies to hives, sneezing, runny nose, etc. I just read about a product called OxyHives that sounds good http://www.oxyhives.com/ . I generally rely on Hyland's products http://www.hylands.com/ and Boiron remedies http://www.boironusa.com/ . I have had good success with these for my children.

[candelaria80]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

Karika - My main fear is just not really knowing enough I guess. We have been really lucky over the last 11 months and have had to give absolutely no medicine except for 2 doses of Tylenol (one at 6 months and one at 9). So she has never had a fever, ear infection, cough...she had has a few runny noses, but that is the extent of it. I am not really scared of OTC medicine, just a little weary and uneducated on the subject. I also just prefer natural if I can get it, BUT...

I have had a few experiences where the natural stuff hasn't cut it. For instance, DD got a little diaper rash last weekend and I decided to use the California Babies cream with Calendula, the rash got worse and the cream seemed to really hurt her. After 2 days I broke down and used some Desitin I had gotten at my shower and the rash was gone by the next morning. So I do see the benefits of being prepared with both.

I love Hylands, so I will see what they offer in the realm of allergy attacks and I will also check out the Oxy Hives, thank you for the recommendations .

I think I will pick some Benedryl up just in case. DD hasn't had any allergy issues up until now, but a camping trip isn't where I'd like to find out that she does. Also, there is Poison Oak (Ivy?) there so I may as well prepare for the worst.

Thanks again for the replies!

[Hoopin' Mama]

I bring benadryl (never used it), arnica, ibuprofen, and an antibacterial camping. It's good to have if your child has never been stung by a bee or bitten by an ant.

ETA: I know a large grown-up who had to get airlifted out of the field over an ant bit. Yeah, I'll bring an antihistamine for my kiddo.

[~Charlie's~Angel~]

Originally Posted by Hoopin' Mama

I bring benadryl (never used it), arnica, ibuprofen, and an antibacterial camping. It's good to have if your child has never been stung by a bee or bitten by an ant.

ETA: I know a large grown-up who had to get airlifted out of the field over an ant bit. Yeah, I'll bring an antihistamine for my kiddo.

This was what I was trying to get at. I just suck at getting to the point I guess.

[texaspeach]

I would suggest keeping it around too, for bee stings/ant bites, etc. there is a dosage chart on the dr sears website. you use the regular children's liquid at a smaller dose for babies.

we keep around for food allergies, and penicillin allergy, but hte first time we needed it we didn't have any on hand. I think everyone should have it in their medicine cabinet.

[Katie T]

I also think printing off the Dr Sears dosing chart and putting it in the first aid kit is a good idea. Then if you have more than one child or you have a fast gainer or there is another child in dire need and the parents don't have any you have the chart for every weight.

My brothers are deathly allergic to bee, wasp stings and have to carry epi pens. I totally understand the being prepaired!

[Pumpkin_Pie]

Originally Posted by karika

We are gluten, casein (dairy) and soy free here. So the fear is the child will ingest someone else's food while out camping? There are many natural remedies to hives, sneezing, runny nose, etc. I just read about a product called OxyHives that sounds good http://www.oxyhives.com/ . I generally rely on Hyland's products http://www.hylands.com/ and Boiron remedies http://www.boironusa.com/ . I have had good success with these for my children.

I agree that using natural products as a first line of defense is a great idea, but when your child starts having a potentially life threatening reaction, it is good to be prepared. 1 bottle of dye free Benadryl won't cost you much, and it doesn't take up much room when you are packing, but it will buy you time while you get your child to a hospital. If your child starts swelling up and having trouble breathing, that Benadryl might just buy you a few more minutes to get help. In that situation, a little Benadryl is a very good thing.

I have never actually given my son any Benadryl, but I ALWAYS keep it with me. He has had pretty strong reactions to strawberries, and I have some pretty severe reactions to some food dyes, so allergies run in our family a bit. I would much rather travel with a bottle of Benadryl and feel a bit more secure going away camping than to hope for the best and rely on something that might not be strong enough in an emergency.