Nobody yell at me! A mother in my toddler's play group gives her 2 1/2 year old a fraction of her Ambien when they travel by plane.I have heard of at least two other people who occasionally give their kids Benadryl for the same reason.They claim it's safe.I have my doubts. ASIDE from the fact that potential for abuse is huge, is it ever safe to do? I have heard also that it can have the opposite effect on some children, making them hyperactive.I seriously considered doing it last night when my 3 yr old was overtired and wired.I tried warm milk, lights out , stories, alone time, very quiet soothing music...finally she collapsed at 2:30 am!! We had to get up at 6:00 today! Is sleeping medication of any kind ever appropriate for children?
2006-08-25 05:23:22 · 18 answers · asked by sunshine.today 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
do what you've gotta do
2006-08-25 05:27:42 · answer #1 · answered by Mauntie 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I don't think any sleeping medication is recommended for a 3 year old. Benadryl can depress ones breathing, especially in a 3 year old and YES it can have the opposite effect of hyping him up. I would never give Ambien to a child. Ambien is OK (for an adult) if monitored by a physician but it has been linked to some bad things such as memory dysfunction and emotional problems. I know these problems usually come with regular use but I would never try this on a toddler.
BTW Benadryl for the appropriate reason is OK for toddlers. You determine the dose by the child's weight.
Believe me, I know how tempting it is.
2006-08-29 04:23:37 · answer #2 · answered by Patti C 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The answer is NO!!! Never give a child any medication without first consulting a physician. You are absolutly right in the potiential for abuse department. You are also right on the opposite reaction.
A child should never be given an "Ambien" or other sleep aid with out very thourough evaluation by a sleep expert and physician.
I have treated several children in the ER and ambulance whom the parents have given 1/2 or 1/4 of a pill to and have had to resusitate them because they are unresponsive and not breathing.
As for the Benadryl, it is common and also discouraged. I personaly go with the warm bath, hold child and sing to them.
I would strongly encourage your "play group friend" to talk to her doctor. Giving a child even a portion of a perscription medication is illegal, a felony, and mandatory reportable as child abuse.
I reallize that you don't want to endanger you friendship. But, think of the best intrest of the child.
2006-08-29 04:05:34 · answer #3 · answered by J K 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would never give my child that type of medication. But to answer your question, yes sometimes children can have an opposite reaction to meds that should make them drowsy (adults too) Just the other night my 3 year old awoke at 1:30 am and would not go back to sleep. She had been given Triaminic nightime cough & cold. She's had a terrible sinus infection and had given it to her for a comfortable night's sleep. This was night #2 taking the Triaminic. Speaking to my mom, I find out that not only does Nyquill keep me up but her too. Pattern: 1st night she and I do get drowsy and sleepy. 2nd night we're up pacing the floors. Seems this trait has been passed down to my child. Lucky us!
2006-08-25 14:31:10 · answer #4 · answered by mooseny35 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If there is an opposite effect, that indicates that your kid is wired wrongly, maybe ADHD, but you know that moms have been doing that kind og thing for years and years, it used to be brandy or whiskey just touch in the bottles when needed. Benadryl is a good idea, I don't know aboout Ambien.
When my cousin was about a year and a half, we were watchng him, and the only thing that worked was rocking. I would hold him and rock in out big strudy rocking chair...talk in quiet monotone, and pooof, 15 mutes tops.
2006-08-25 05:32:55 · answer #5 · answered by SuzieQ 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know about it having the opposite effect, because when I have given my daughter Benadryl (because she was sick), it knocked her out. I don't know that you want to get in the habit of drugging your child to get them to sleep. It seems like a slippery slope. You do it once because they are just fighting it and then you just know it is there and keep going back to it.
As for plane rides, I read an article a few months ago about doctors recommending it - or at least not being completely opposed to it. I guess they assume that the excitement of a plane ride can be a lot for some kids and maybe it is best to subdue them. It sounds sort of awful to me. When we have taken our kids on plane rides just the loud white noise on the plane was enough to put them to sleep quickly.
2006-08-28 18:38:56 · answer #6 · answered by Katie R 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's ILLEGAL and IMMORAL to share prescription drugs with anyone! It's only for the person who got the Rx. Benadryl is NOT a sleeping aide, it's an ALLERGY med. Would a "NORMAL" adult take Benadryl or Nyquil just to get to sleep? It's not safe to misuse drugs at all. Those people who do this are not using the drug for it's intended purpose. They are misusing it by depending on the SIDE EFFECTS. That's awful! Children should never be drugged to go to sleep! I am urging you not to do this. I have a friend who does this, and it makes me sick whenever she brings it up. In my opinion (and I don't mean you b/c you haven't done this) anyone who drugs their child just to get them to goto sleep needs a major dose of parenting classes. And, they need to grow up and realize there will be sleepness nights with children, that's part of the deal.
2006-08-25 20:18:21 · answer #7 · answered by Marie K 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
NO! It's not appropriate at all! It's just a way for parents not to have to deal with their kids and get some sleep of their own. I don't take any medicine when I can't sleep, why would I give any to my child?! Maybe they need to adjust their routines a bit or something.
And from my experience, I used to take the Theraflu caplets when I had a cold and fever, one time I got the nighttime ones, and yes, they did have the opposite effect. I couldn't get to sleep, and when I did, I kept waking up! Worst night's sleep ever...
2006-08-25 05:52:19 · answer #8 · answered by angelbaby 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I would never give my child ANY prescription medication not prescribed to them! Never do this it is very dangerous!!! That said I absolutly give my daughter benadryl when needed. I give her 1 tablet (check the back of package to see how much you can give when she was younger I would break a pill in half) When she is sick and cannot fall aslep yes I do give her benadryl. I don't like nyquil because it has alcohol in it. If your child has adhd (attention deficit hyperactive disorder) then it will wire them, I know it does not make sense but caffeine will actually calm them down and sleep medications make them more hyper. My brother has adhd
2006-08-25 05:33:28 · answer #9 · answered by rye252000 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I give my kids Benadryl when we travel they both get car sick. I asked my doctor, and he told me how much to give based on weight. I would speak with your doctor. If your baby is overtired sometimes you just have to let it play out. Shut the door and walk away they will eventually go to sleep. Good luck.
2006-08-25 08:13:16 · answer #10 · answered by ab3mom 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Benadryl is just allergy medicine and they also have it in kids form. I wouldn't yell at you for using it to knock them out, yes, it does knock MOST kids out, "she had allergies, I swear." I would definitely NOT give a child Ambien. If you end up in the ER, you will lose your child to the state.
2006-08-25 05:31:47 · answer #11 · answered by strawbrrybabe 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋