my doctor percribed it for my 4 month old sons repitory infection.... have you ever gave your baby benedryl or heard anything about giving it to an infant??
2007-03-13 15:03:25 · 8 answers · asked by Mo DeE 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
im just worried i keep reading things like oh dont give it do a infant it could stop tehre breathing... or make him hyper..... or cause more respitory effects!
2007-03-13 15:12:00 · update #1
Benadryl (diphenhydramine) is used in infants, it is recommended that the child be at least 20 pounds in weight. Dosing is very important, do not give more than 1/2 teaspoonful (2.5ml) 3 to 4 times a day. Something to remember, antihistamines in some children cause an opposite reaction than that seen in adults, instead of making them drowsy, it makes them cranky and hyperactive. If the child seems excessively hyper or sleepy, cut the dose in half.
I hope this helps.
Rick the Pharmacist
2007-03-13 15:25:22 · answer #1 · answered by Rickydotcom 6 · 5⤊ 0⤋
I have in front of me a printout of the report the Centers for Disease Control put out on January 12th, 2007, that specifically warns against giving children under the age of 2 cough and cold medicine. What it says is that there is a great potential for overdose in young children as well as a great potential for complications, such as a significantly elevated heart rate. The other issue is that if the cough is actually productive and you supress it, there is a chance that it could get "stuck" so to speak and you can develop pneumonia. When my son got a respiratory infection and was wheezing, we gave him a prescription breathing treatment that worked beautifully, with no side effects. Good luck.
2007-03-13 15:23:02 · answer #2 · answered by Rascal 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I've used it myself for my own children when they were infants and helped figure doses for others.
The latest recommendations for acute cough are diphenhydramine (Benadryl) and an anti-inflammatory such as ibuprofen, not dextromethorphan (the DM in cough medications).
However, do not give your child ibuprofen unless recommended by your health care provider because of your child's age. Ibuprofen is not recommended for use in children under 6 months of age.
Benadryl tastes terrible so don't expect it to go down easily.
The CDC report mentioned in an eariler response states to follow the exact advice of your clinician. The report involved deaths from overdoses from parents giving both prescription and OTC medications as well as a particular prescription antihistamine.
2007-03-13 15:47:03 · answer #3 · answered by uhhhme 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I thought benedryl was for adults I have never heard about a baby taking benedryl before. So I would go and see another doctor or something and ask them about it to see if it's alright for the baby to take it
2007-03-13 15:17:10 · answer #4 · answered by Lacey H 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is it in a radically reduced amount for a baby ?
If so, that should be OK , as it would be less than 1/10 th of what you would give an adult.
2007-03-13 15:12:34 · answer #5 · answered by kate 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes my son was born with Asthma so waiting out allergies was not a good idea for him. He suffered no ill affects, in fact it helped him get much needed rest.
2007-03-13 15:10:53 · answer #6 · answered by trhwsh 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i had to give it to my 3 month old a couple weeks ago for the same thing, give half a teaspoon, the pharmicist told me anything less will not really do anything
2007-03-13 15:09:09 · answer #7 · answered by loca_mami13 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
not too sure why you would take the word of any stranger here over your own MD
2007-03-13 15:10:43 · answer #8 · answered by Mopar Muscle Gal 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋