[JordanKX]

We are getting read to fly with DS, 8 months. A friend of mine suggested giving him a bit of benadryl, which was a recommendation from her pediatrician when she flew with her son.<br>
And I just read in a teething post about putting a few drops of benadryl on baby gums.<br><br>
What kind of benadryl are we talking about?<br>
I've not seen any infant benadryl and when I asked the pharmacist about children's benadryl, she said NO to anyone under 4. Is that just a liability statement and it's okay for babies?<br><br>
I haven't given my DS anything other than a few bits of tylenol when the teething pain is really bad, so I'm not really looking to increase his medicine in take, you know. But curious. Especially for helping with flying. Thanks!

 

[maybemom05]

I've given my LO children's benadryl for allergic reactions under Dr's orders. (He has a milk allergy that includes breaking out in hives) I've also given it to my older DS when he was clearly suffering from pollen allergies.<br><br>
I don't love giving it to them. It really knocks them both out, and it takes them a few days to move past it. (This could be a family thing though, I have a similar reaction to benadryl)<br><br>
Call your health care provider and see what they say. FWIW, I flew with DS when he was 8 mos old and he did great. He slept most of the way and was pretty happy when he was up.

 

[Abraisme]

I've flown many times with my kids and they did fine. I personally wouldn't drug my kids just to help them sleep through a flight. I've even done red eye flights and everyone came out of it just fine.

 

[ElliesMomma]

yes my DD had benedryl under age 4, but it was given on doctor's orders for her eczema, which kept her up scratching at night. it may be "safer" for older young children who are still under the age of 4, but you are talking about a baby who is about 8 months old, right? i would never give that on the advice of a friend, whithout asking a doctor first.

 

[lovepiggie]

I'm in the same situation as you!<br><br>
I got my DS some tissue salts for cough/cold relief... The kind I got is safe for babies. He's had a bit of a stuffy nose lately, and I worry about the head congestion making his ears hurt on the plane. I'm starting tomorrow giving him a bit, and then giving it each day until we fly! Hopefully by then he will be all cleared up and happy <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile"><br><br>
I would worry about giving a baby Benadryl...

 

[prothyraia]

It doesn't work.<br><br><a href="http://www.consumerreports.org/health/free-highlights/manage-your-health/benadryl_babies_sleep.htm" target="_blank">http://www.consumerreports.org/healt...bies_sleep.htm</a>

 

[star*mora]

how long is the flight?<br><br>
i have flown a lot with my bubs (8mth old has done nearly a dozen flights already - 3yr old about 3 dozen), both were/are tough teethers and i never gave them anything for any of their flights. even the transatlantic ones.<br><br>
on a recent 3hr flight from florida ds2 just nursed and slept. nursing works like a charm on flights!<br><br>
just saying your bub might not need anything at all.

 

[LadyCatherine185]

We've given DS a little children's benadryl (doctor gave us the amount based on his weight) for allergic reaction, as well as for allergies/sinus issues a couple times. It did not help him sleep, in fact, I think it made him more wired.

 

[~Charlie's~Angel~]

I wouldnt try it. Benydryl scares me, and I only give it when I know my son has had milk or something with milk in it (Allergy)<br><br>
Also, about 50% of children react negatively to Benydryl, meaning its wires them MORE, like LadyCatherine said. What if you give it to him and it has the opposite effect?<br><br>
FYI, yes, the no one under 4 is a liability statemennt, because people were getting caught MISUSING BENYDRYL.

 

[kismetbaby]

We are in Europe right now with our almost 8 month old. I thought about Benydryl for like 2 seconds then decided against it for all the reasons mentioned here. BTW, my LO did great on the flight over (10 hours). . .no he didn't sleep much b/c there was so much to see, so much to touch! But he was happy as a clam. I just nursed him for take off and landing. . .he never seemed to have ear pain. I expect he'll do as well on the way back--much better than I do on those long flight I might add. Maybe I should take the Benydryl! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/orngtongue.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Stick Out Tongue">

 

[boobs4milk]

dr. sears says no to benadryl as a sleep aid for babies...<br><a href="http://www.askdrsears.com/html/8/T088800.asp" target="_blank">http://www.askdrsears.com/html/8/T088800.asp</a>

 

[texaspeach]

we used regular children's liquid benadryl for ds on drs orders to treat an allergic reaction (poor thing had hives for days). you just use a much smaller dosage than what is listed on the packaging. I don't think I'd use it just to make him sleepy. besides possibly interfering with feeding, it also has the potential to make some people hyper instead of sleepy.

 

[maddymama]

Hi,<br>
I'm the mam whose ped. told us to use benadryl for teething. On his advice, a few drops (like two or three) on the gums won't hurt the baby, s most of it is a topical application and doesn't get into their system. It's also good for allergic reactions on drs. orders (as mentioned by pp posters).<br>
Don't ever give your LO benadryl on an airplane. The altitude/airpressure differences make benadryl act differently in your child's body, making it extremely likely you will overdose your child. Think of it as how your body reacts much differently to alcohol while flying than on the ground.<br>
I was on a flight once years ago where we had to make an emergency landing bc a parent had given a child benadryl and he passed out/had trouble breathing. It was scary, scary, scary to watch.<br>
~maddymama

 

[earthmama369]

Benadryl is not recommended for children under 4 unless they're having an allergic reaction and a doctor is monitoring them. It's pretty easy to OD and it doesn't always work as expected. In some children, it has a sedating effect. In others, it makes them stark off-the-walls hyper for HOURS. And in some children, the reaction varies from time to time. (I have one of those.)<br><br>
I would definitely not use it for sedating a baby for a plane ride. Instead, I would bring some homeopathic teething tablets or camomillia, or maybe some diluted chamomile tea; I'd plan on nursing a lot (also really helps for altitude changes, since swallowing pops the ears before pressure builds to a painful level); and I'd bring a bunch of favorite and new toys to entertain my baby. Finger foods that aren't too messy or spillable would be good, as well.

 

[birthangeldoula]

We've only given DD benedryl for an allergic reaction. We found out she's allergic to strawberries recently. It didn't make her sleepy at all, but probably more wired than anything. We've done a cross-country flight with her before and she was fabulous. She was only 5 months old at the time and I wore her in a sling for the red-eye flight back.

 

[JordanKX]

OP here.<br>
Thanks guys! I hadn't really planned on giving him anything - I'd read enough threads here on how to survive long flights But still good info to have. Thanks for all the great information!