Benadryl for 22 month old?

Bree*

I took my daughter to the pedi today because she's been coughing pretty bad and it just sounds nasty, really congested.  And her nose is really stuffy.  Anyway...

The nurse practicioner said I could give her benadryl to help with the congestion.  DD is 22 pounds so she said 3/4 teaspoon. 

I went to Walmart right before bedtime to grab the medicine... it said do not give to a child under 2 years old. So I got all nervous and didn't give it to her before bed... but I did buy it.

I guess I'm just wondering if any of you have given Benadryl to your child under 2?  I plan on calling the nurse again in the morning just to verify the dose.  I know I've heard of other moms giving it to their kids under 2... we've just never needed to.

Sorry if this post is totally stupid.  I just get so paranoid when it comes to the kid!  

userdeleted

Doesn't the package say to ask a medical professional for children under 2? I could be remembering wrong, but that's what I thought.

Anyway, yes I've given benedryl to DS. For the same reason as you actually - he was so congested he couldn't sleep. I got the okay from the pedi and used it, and it did seem to give him a little relief. 

I don't think your post is stupid at all, and if you're not comfortable you don't have to give the benedryl, but I wouldn't be afraid of it if I were you. Have you tried other things like a humidifier, or inclining the crib mattress?

Bree*

Yes, the humidifier is on and the mattress is raised. 

The box says "Under 2: Do not use.  2-5 years: Do not use unless directed by a doctor."

 Thanks for the reply!!!

Get.it.girl.

I've given DS benedryl at his pedi's suggestion for congestion. It didn't make him sleepy at all though, it actually made him pretty excitable for a good couple hours so I'd suggest giving it to her during the day just to see if she'd have the same side effect. I believe that warning is on the label as well.

I was in your shoes too when it came to benedryl, so its not stupid at all. We use a humidifer at night which helps a lot with DS's congestion.

barkers4jmm

My DD has taken Benedryl and/or Zyrtec for all her unexplained allergies for months on a daily basis.  She's only 13 months now.  It's fine for giving small children that dosage. 

Val&B0604

Our pedi told me to get "Children's Benadryl" and to give 1/4 to 1/2 tsp  every 6 hours as needed.  She was about 7 mos at that time.  Poor DH went out to get it and called me saying there is not any infants Benadryl.  We went cautiously with it for the first couple of doses.

userdeleted

Well I hope she feels better soon anyway! I hate when these poor babies get congested - it's so much harder for them to get it out than it is for us! DS has been dealing with lingering congestion from a cold for nearly four weeks now and is just starting to seem a little better

Good luck!

.DietDrPepper.

DS has a prescription for zyrtec to use when he is congested.  it says (even on the rx bottle) for children 2 and up, but his pedi knows more than i do and has been practicing for 40 yrs.  he takes 1 tsp.

if you aren't comfortable, don't do it.  it will certainly help him though.

GabbyG

DS has taken children's Benedryl and children's Zyrtec, both OK'd (prescribed) by doctors for allergic reactions. I've never noticed any side effects except for slight hyperactivity.