Giving benadryl to sedate a child

ECUGirl2004

What is your opinion on this?

I ask because a friend of mine posted on FB that she was travelling with her 1 year old today and asked for tips.  2 of her friends suggested that she should give her child benadryl to sedate him.

My SIL was also known to give her daughters benadryl to calm them down before bed.

Would you do it? 

 

SpeedGlenn

This could backfire.  I know some kids get all wired on Benadryl.

That being said, I've never given Ben benadryl to sedate him.  That seems like a bad idea and I don't think I would ever do it.

futureJHL

My Aunt-IL's sister is a pediatrician and she does give her 3 children benadryl before a long flight or car ride.  I honestly don't know if I'd do it.  I think if Nora was being terrible, I'd definitely consider it for a flight.  We just deal with it in the car.

futureJHL

SpeedGlenn:

This could backfire.  I know some kids get all wired on Benadryl.

That being said, I've never given Ben benadryl to sedate him.  That seems like a bad idea and I don't think I would ever do it.

I've never heard of this... that is probably what would happen with Nora bc every time the pedi says that Nora will get tired from her vaccines, she gets wired, so this would probably be her!

marryingacoach

I'd rather schedule our travel time around nap time than give benadryl plus I never know how Grady is going to react to it sometimes it makes him groggy other times he is so wired it is crazy.  I've heard of people doing this before but I don't think we would. It would be a very very last resort.

ECUGirl2004

SpeedGlenn:

This could backfire.  I know some kids get all wired on Benadryl.

That was me as a child!  It made me SO hyper!  My poor parents...

I don't think I could do it either, at least not with a baby/toddler. 

raceyrae

My simple answer -- no I would never do this.

BackthePack

SpeedGlenn:

This could backfire.  I know some kids get all wired on Benadryl.

This is J, so I definitely would not do it. I have been known to give Tylenol/Motrin in hopes to prevent fussies before a long car ride, but only if it was near bedtime & he was teething anyway. 

jenwill

I think it would depend if my child is a really bad traveler (like screams the whole time,etc)-maybe I would do it in that case. But DD is a great traveler-so I wouldn't.

Evans

Absolutely not. ?

Benadryl is a very important drug to us with Ky's allergy and I would never chance her becoming tolerant of it and it not working like it should if we really needed it.?

unc00ref

SpeedGlenn:

This could backfire.  I know some kids get all wired on Benadryl.

That being said, I've never given Ben benadryl to sedate him.  That seems like a bad idea and I don't think I would ever do it.

I totally agree. Although I was the kid that got hyped up when given Benadryl. I know parents who do this and it's NMS or my parenting choice.

mrsmikey

We give Eli Benadryl fairly often, but never just to sedate him.  It has no effect on him whatsoever, so it wouldn't work even if we wanted to.  But my pedi also suggested it last summer when we were flying. 

MRSGOLABONTE

I'm with Pack. I've used Tylenol before.

alchris

We've flown 6 times with Kira (3 to see DH's family and 3 to see mine) and it's been recommended by multiple people each time.  I just won't do it though.

WendyNC

No, I don't think I'd ever do it.

MrsHughesNC

Nope. I did do it for my dog though. :-)

cate1119

I haven't considered it, but my friend does it when she flies with her 3 year old. Her daughter is somewhat of a handful (almost uncontrollable and gets angry very very easily) and she does it most for her sanity and for those around her. 

MrsSavannah

I have given S benedryl for allergies several times and most of the time it makes her sleepy, but sometimes it wires her.  I would not use it as a sedative.

akspriss

unc00ref:

SpeedGlenn:

This could backfire.  I know some kids get all wired on Benadryl.

That being said, I've never given Ben benadryl to sedate him.  That seems like a bad idea and I don't think I would ever do it.

I totally agree. Although I was the kid that got hyped up when given Benadryl. I know parents who do this and it's NMS or my parenting choice.

 I always thought I was alone in being the type that got hyped up by bendaryl....sweet!! i also dont take tylenol pm either cuz it does the same thing....this is a big reason i dont take cold meds cuz they always act funny with me. And i dont think i could sedate my child. I know people that adopt and do it on their long plane ride so the child will be more mellow.