Benadryl Confusion?

Question

There has been a lot of hype about benadryl and babies due to benadryl overdose deaths. Everything I read says never to give Benadryl (or any antihistimine) to a baby under 1. A recent study shows that it is dangerous because antihistimines don't work in babies so you can't tell when you've overdosed until its too late (http://www.consumerreports.org/mg/free-highlights/manage-your-health/benadryl_babies_sleep.htm). But doctors and nurses I've talked to have different opinions. Some say its ok, some say absolutely not. What do you guys say?

Answer 1

I asked my babies pediatrician about this on Monday. She said its perfectly safe to give your baby tylenol, and ibuprofin... but she tends to shy away from antihistimines in children under two because their affectiveness have not been 100% proven, and her theory is.. why give your child a medication they dont actually need? My two year old has taken Benadryl, and it seemed to help his stuffy nose.. although it only helped because he slept for 5 hours after I gave it to him one afternoon, and he needed the extra sleep to fight his infection. The other thing she mentioned is that people often are using the wrong dose... if you looka t the carton, it says what dose to give kids over 2 years old... but really, the dose should be based on weight. She gave me a weight chart, and I saw that I had given my son 1/2 tsp too much, because although he is 2.. he weighed less than the weight for the amount the box said to give. Its a fine line.. parents should ask their doctor if they are giving their kids ANY medication when they are under 2. Better safe than sorry, right?

Answer 2

I wouldn't give my child under 2 bendryl unless it was specifically ordered by the doctor and I was told precisely how much to give and at what intervals. Some parents have used benadryl to put their babies to sleep when they can't handle them any more. A little food, clean clothes, a warm bath, and a mommy or daddy willing to hold them close and rock them until they are comforted is a better answer if you have a restless child.

Most important, you have to use the Benadryl for Children, not the product that you have in the cabinet that you bought for yourself.

Answer 3

Personally I react very badly to most drugs, so does my mom. So I avoid medications wherever possible.

Also try to buy only single ingredient medications. They are much safer. Never give antihistamines for a cold or flu. Antihistamines are for ALLERGIES. Drives me nuts.

Now if you are talking about giving benadryl to make a baby sleep that is more wrong that I can even begin to explain. It enrages me.

If you are talking about an infant diagnosed with some sort of allergy disorder then that parent needs to weigh the pros and cons for themselves. I wouldn't do it unless it was life or death just because of how badly I react to antihistamines. But I can understand the need for it.

Answer 4

well it's all in moderation. my daughter is 10 months and i give her benadryl. i even give her children's night time cold meds. the trick is to keep cutting it until it reaches your babie's age. example: 6yr takes 2 teaspoons. then it would be 1 tsp for a 4 yr old. 1/2 for a 2 yr old and 1/4 for an infant above 6 months.

however, you don't want to give the baby benadryl too often. i was told by my dr. to give it to her. so i bought children's version. and i gave her 0.5 ml every other night.

it's all in what you feel comfortable with. for me i ask around. my friends family, and several different dr.'s. not just my daughter's dr.

Answer 5

I say no. It can cause too many issues for not enough benefits. Relieving cold symptoms is not a good enough reason to risk an infants health.

Answer 6

Its not worth it, why take the chance.