Benadryl for a plane ride

We are taking my 16 month old on a plane tomorrow and my husband wants to give him benadryl to "relax" him. I am not sure about this. Anyone done this? Need some advice. TIA

Re: Benadryl for a plane ride

I wouldn't

Re: Benadryl for a plane ride

benadryl makes my DS hyper

Re: Benadryl for a plane ride

Everyone reacts differently to Benadryl. In some cases it can make them HYPER! Example: My son! It makes him super jittery.
That is the last thing you want to find out on a plane!

Re: Benadryl for a plane ride

I would never do this.

We have flown with DS 4 times, the 1st time he was 17 months, he's 23 months now, and he has napped on every single flight. We actually flew yesterday and he fell asleep less than 30 minutes into the flight and napped 1.5 hrs. I purposely book flights around nap time, even if it costs a little bit more. We always buy DS a seat and sit him in his carseat (not that he ever naps in the car) so he has a safe, secure, and comfortable spot just for himself. We give him his blanket when we think he should be ready for a nap and that's it. (and this is a child who is used to only napping in his crib and in a dark room with a noise machine.

I'd see how it goes and just make the best of the flight. Try to make your DC as comfortable as possible. Bring a lovey, blanket, whatever you think is necessary for nap time. If he doesn't sleep, well, then he doesn't. Bring toys, snacks, etc. Benadryl should never be used to induce sleep, at least not in a child.

Re: Benadryl for a plane ride

Have you given him benedryl before? If you know it makes him sleepy, I see nothing wrong with it, but be prepared for it to not work. I tried it with my son in August when he was 14 months and we flew for the first time with him and he slept only a half hour, then was his wide awake self the rest of the flight anyway. I just decided it wasn't worth it for the flight back and he slept for a half hour again anyway, so go figure. But I see no harm in it if you already know how he reacts to it.

Re: Benadryl for a plane ride

physicians we know always use it with their kids when they travel, as long as they know that it wont make them hyper - our friends, they used to joke to us all the time to carry benadryl always.

Unless DS had a history of being crazy on the plane, or if he was just cranky in general that day due to cold/teething etc. I don't think I'd consider it at all before trying him out without it.

Re: Benadryl for a plane ride

Why not see how he is first? We've flown with DD probably about 10 times round trip in the last 2 years of her life and only had one flight where she was overtired and screaming crying (she was 11 months). Just bring some new interesting toys, books, snacks and it should be fine. How long is the flight?

Re: Benadryl for a plane ride

bring it and see how he does.

i said never...
well that was before i had my 8 mos old on a flight...he was a screaming animal. i did not have any...i would have done anything to get it into him.

the flight home...i had some...he was a nut, gave it and he passed out.

if it is torture on the child...and that is how mine acted, then i see nothing wrong with giving it.

Re: Benadryl for a plane ride

No, we travelled w an almost 3 yo and 1 yo so I was tempted! But it's not the right thing to do really, just deal with whatever happens. I didn't want to "drug" the kids so my fellow passengers would not be bothered by my rowdy boys.