To Benadryl or Not to Benadryl, That is the Question
The question is right in my title. We leave for Europe on Saturday from Denver and it is going to be a long flight!!! We leave in the morning (U.S. time) and arrive in the afternoon (Europe time) the next day. Basically, we need baby goo goo to sleep. I am thinking if she can sleep on the plane she will adjust to the time difference better and not have jet lag so bad. I am highly considering Children’s Benadryl. I just got done reading parents personal opinions on the Baby Center website. They say I shouldn’t use this and it is drugging my baby for no good reason. Shoot. I maybe would have thought that when she was under a year, but she is almost two now. Besides, is it for a good reason if it will help her adjust to the time difference better? I would love feedback from people who have tried this! I am not set on it, but I am considering it to the point where I just made Justin buy some Children’s Benadryl from Safeway! Share your opinions!!! You only have a day before I make my decision!
By the way, I wouldn’t drug her the whole flight. Just a little from Chicago to London, so that she will sleep when all the other Europeans are sleeping. (Well, maybe not the Europeans in Spain!)
How long are you in London and at what airport?? I can send some vibes from Guildford.
I’m not a mom, but I know that tired babies are miserable babies. Moving and adjusting is tough and takes energy, so I think a little proactive benadryl won’t hurt. If she couldn’t sleep at home, that would be one thing. This is completely different. That’s my uneducated, unmommy, but was a nanny, opinion.
Hey! So we are at Heathrow, but only for two hours, which I hear is pretty much enough time to go through customs and catch our next plane.
Benadryl works on Noah and has the opposite effect on Kadin… This last time we packed a present for every hour on the plane… a pack of Starbust, box of crayons, Hotwheels cars, etc… It totally kept both boys happy and on their best behavior for most of the trip. It also made grandma happy since she did the shopping and wrapping of all the gifts…
Have fun!
Jeff
Try it today before a nap. If it works, use it on the plane! If it makes her hyper, throw it away.
You’re not drugging your baby – although people did in the 60’s & 70’s and we all turned out ok, right?
Seriously though, it’s not any more harmful than giving her tylenol when she’s teething.
Have a great flight!
I’m going to follow suit after my sister and offer advice even though I have no children. I don’t like the idea of even drugging myself, but on those rare, rare occasions when I know that life will totally suck if I don’t sleep, I’ll take something. When it comes to my mental health, sleep is more important than food!
Remember that post a few months back when you talked about trusting your gut and knowing Maisie better than anyone? Either decision you make is fine. You know her and you know your intentions. AND if it helps, simply insert the word “facilitating sleep” in place of “drugging”. It might make you feel better. You’ll make the best decision for you and your family. Fly safely. Love you.
Hey! I haven’t tried it for a plane, but we did give Benadryl to Tyson once when he had a nasty cold and couldn’t sleep and it had the opposite effect on him too! Bouncing off the walls and crazy! So I agree with the test it out plan first. But either way – do what you need to do! Our plane tactics have been snacks and toys and of course the portable DVD player with Baby Einstein movies!
Oh – and the last plane trip we were on, Kate slept great! I think the loud noise helps a lot. She just laid in my lap and was conked even through a landing and the next take off!
We love you guys! Have a great trip!!!
Kate wants to type a note to Maisie:
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We used Children’s chewable dramamine on some of our flights to and fro to europe. Worked very well, and didn’t have the same opposite effects Benadryl had. Might look into that, Jen.
Two of my kids get car sick. When they were litte, we also gave them Chewable Dramamine. It always made them sleep! Made for a nice car ride. 🙂
Drugs are evil! Your killing your baby! Just kidding, I am surprised you didn’t get any comments like this though. Your alreay in Europe so my opinion doesn’t matter, but I say keep it with you just in case, especially for those first nights there getting her adjusted.