sedatives for toddlers?

Question

Does anyone know if it is ok to give sedative to a toddler ? I know it sounds horrible, but I want to go back to Japan bacause my grandfather died last year and I could not go to his funaral because I was pregnant with the second boy and the first one is ADD. They honor the death in the end of August. I want to go back when my family gets together so I can have some kind of closure. I would love to go by myself, but it is not possible. I need to take my kids. I am pregnant with the third one right now. I was wondering if anyone has given their kids sedatives so that they can sleep on the plane or at least they are not as active. Maybe I should ask our doctor, but it sounds horrible when a mother asks for sedative bacause she can not manage her own child, dont you think ? Well, my boy is a tough one. How tough, when we went on a trip three years ago, everyone on the plane cheered when my boy finally fell asleep after he ran around and taking stuff and pushing stuff.

Answer 1

While I see your predicament, I do not know if there is a doctor who would give a sedative to a child just for the benefit of sleeping through a flight to Japan. And if there is a doctor who would do that, I'm not sure if I would want him to treat my daughter. It actually worries me that a mother would even ask that. It doesn't matter if your child is *tough* and has ADD. You and your family need to get together with counselor who will provide you with methods of dealing with your child's behaviors so you do not feel as though you have to sedate him.

If I were you I would plan as many stationary activities as possible. Your children will sleep on the plane eventually, but you need to plan this to keep them occupied.

Take games, toys, video games and portable dvd players. With all of the technology in this day and age, I find it hard to believe you cannot occupy your toddler.

Answer 2

I would speak to your doctor. You don't say how old he is but some medications like Benadryl will make children sleepy (particularly the PM formula). However if your son has ADD the medication could have the opposite effect on him (it usually does with ADD) and cause him to be even more out of control. Discuss the trip with your doctor. If he's got ADD the doctor knows about his problem and will hopefully have some suggestions. Does he have any likes? Like coloring or video games? Maybe a handheld video player with a new game or taking a portable DVD player (with lots of extra batteries) if he will sit and watch movies?

Good luck. I feel for you and the people on the plane ;-)

Answer 3

Try benadryl. I know what you mean, that it sounds horrible to give a child a sedative, but I totally understand. The problem you may have is that your child may have the opposite effect and get rambunctious instead of tired. Try giving your toddler a dose of it a half hour before nap time and see if he still falls asleep. If so, it's okay. If you don't already know, Benadryl is used for allergy relief so you "shouldn't" have to worry about a reaction to the drug, but I would still check with a physician to make sure it was okay.

Answer 4

Your doctor isn't going to think any less of you for asking him about sedatives for your toddlers. You'd probably be surprised at how often they get asked about that. Transatlantic flights are very hard on toddlers and giving them something to help them sleep doesn't make you a bad parent. Some people will tell you to get an over-the-counter antihistimine but you should really speak to your family doctor. Antihistimines sometimes make kids very hyper and you don't want that!

Speak to your doctor and good luck!

P.S. Are you travelling with these kids all alone? If so you should really get someone to come with you and help out. Trying to look after young kids on an airplane while pregnant sounds like very hard work. Get someone to go with you. x

Answer 5

If you explain to the doctor that the kids may not be able to handle the trip because of the ADHD and all, he may prescribe something.

You can also give a motion sickness med(Dramimine) or benedryl...they do well. But you have a child with ADD, so if he is like me, it works the opposite on him and makes him hyper(Lord I hate that in me).


I don't think that it sounds horrible. Give the doc a call and discuss your options! I wish you a safe trip.

I just wanted to add this in: the doctor can give you the appropriate doseing instructions for any of theses meds, so make sure to give the correct amount based on weight.

Answer 6

You should talk to your childs doctor about this....she should be able to give you some good ideas to make the flight enjoyable. You can bring a portable DVD player or something. If you are going to give your child benadryl...give him some prior to make sure he doesn't have the reverse reaction and get hyper. Don't give your child anything unless you know the proper dosage.

Answer 7

New research has come out claiming that Benadryl can actually wind up a toddler, so it's not a good idea. When my daughter had it for an allergic reaction to medication, she couldn't sleep the couple of days she had to have it.

Answer 8

hi something that makes young babies drowsy frequently includes an antihistamine of a few variety and it is not any longer a stable theory to furnish them except they have a actual hypersensitive reaction, they dry up the nasal passages and each style of nasty stuff. i be attentive to it is been stated various circumstances and please believe me as quickly as I say, i've got been the place you're, sleep deprived and cranky yet, sticking to the habitual and not letting her experience roughshod over you is the only way. i be attentive to whilst it is late and additionally you're knackered that taking her into mattress with you or permitting her to stay wide awake for peace sake sounds like a stable theory, it in simple terms makes it harder the subsequent evening and confuses her. We placed colored dots ( The sticky ones ) on our clock and say to our LO ( 23 months ) " whilst the hand strikes around to this dot, it's time to %. up and choose for a bathtub " i've got continuously got here across with my 3 that in case you contain them in regardless of you're doing, they are lots extra compliant. huge up the " you're a huge lady now, are you able to help Mummy get your jamas out/run the tub " regardless of. there is not any annoying and quickly answer i'm afraid, in simple terms perseverence and the skill to track out the crying! Sedation fairly no longer the respond, it should not be a organic sleep she's having so she would have the ability to no longer sense to any extent further powerful and could sense groggy and grumpy here day and that they are addictive. HTH and need it resolves itself quickly. Andrea

Answer 9

Maybe you shouldn't ask for a sedative, but something to help him stay calm on an airplane. I know I clicked on your question, outraged because someone would ask for a sedative for a toddler, but after reading your question, I realized what a tough position you are in. Talk to your pediatrician, and don't do any of those "do it yourself" methods, they are sure to just backfire.
Good luck!

Answer 10

Talk with your doctor. I am in a similar boat. I am taking my 9 month old on two plane flights and am worried. I am bringing benadryl with me in case he goes psycho. Wear him out before you get on the plane.