I seem to be confused. I've read, heard and been told (by my children's pediatrician) contradicting information about what age a child/baby/infant can be given Benadryl (I'm not referring to Benadryl-D with Diphenhydramine AND Pseudoephedrine). What is your understanding and why?
Separately, I am interested in understanding why it is recommended that we do not give our young children OTC cold medicine. As you know, it was not always this way.
As always, I am grateful for your time and information. I am especially grateful if you can also include a reference to the information you share. References are delightful.
I think the main reason it is no longer recommended to give them OTC medicines is because it is so easy to mess up the dosage amount and kids were getting too much of the medicines and it was causing harm to infants.
When my son was 1, my pediatrician recommended Children's Benadryl for him to try to dry him up as he had constant allergy issues. I really don't remember the dosage, but it was much less than the recommended dosage and my son had no complications. My pediatrician has also recommended children's Delsym (not sure of spelling) when my children get really bad coughs from colds and they are 2 and 4. Once again a lot less than the recommended dosage. A lot of the cold and allergy medications have alcohol in them which can make a big difference to small children than it does in our bodies. Your pediatrician will know your child's history and what they feel safe with your child taking. Also, speak with your pediatrian about using VIcks as this is not always a good thing for your child. Due to moving, I have had 3 different pediatricians for my children and all of them have recommended to never use Vicks and to use a humidifier instead.
If I understand this correctly, the AAP says no pseudoephedrine, but Benadryl is in a different "family," so it is safe for all ages. The is coming from the doctor at our clinic who just happen to be on call when our the 18 month old was sick. We questioned her about advising us to give him Benedryl, and she said we were correct to be concerned about pseudoephedrine but Benedryl is ok. We gave him the Benedryl, then foundout he's one of those kids who get cranked on it. Oh well!
My Doctor said not to give them cold meds because it is so easy to overdose them and children were actually dying because of this. My Doctor did perscribe Childrens Benadryl once to my then 2 year old, we just gave her a tiny bit but I honestly wasn't comfortable. I agree with the lower comments about the good ol old fashion way, I was frustrated at first watching my little once suffer through but it does work. Put vics on their feet and night with socks over them, it works great with coughs. Humidifiers are my friend also. Best of luck. Sorry no references to give you. Best of luck.
Yep, kelly w is right. Their systems are so delicate and it is far too easy for them to get too much and really they don't need meds for a cold. Good old fashioned saline spray, vicks rub, warm showers to open them up, sleeping propped up with a humidifier and maybe some tylenol for aches.
And sure it wasn't always that way but we didn't always have seat belts or car seats for our kids but now we know better. Research is always being done and it's part of our job as parents to remain vigilant and keep up with the latest findings and technology to keep our kids healthy and safe.
Benedryl is to be used on children age 6 and over unless directed by your physician. It is very easy for them to get too much of this as well. If you've ever taken benedryl you know how strong that med really is. We only gave/give it to our oldest when his allergies are really, really bad and in the amount that our ped instructed us to give.
