Is It Safe to Give a 8Month Old Baby Benadryl

the real question is 'is it safe to ask questions like this on the internet when it's smarter and faster to call my actual real live pediatrician?'
khairete
S.

Call the doctor's office or a pharmacist to ask about medication.

How long has he been coughing? Again, I'd call the pediatrician if it'been more than a few days. A common cause of coughing is dry air. My family has always put a vaporizer in the baby's room at night. Perhaps raise the head of his bed so his post nasal drip is less. Two of my grandchildren slept in their car seat so they were more upright.

He might be teething. Try rubbing his gums with an OTC liquid made for babies and teething. Will he use a teething toy or chew a cold wet washcloth?

If you have a 3 year old and an 8 month old, you should be well aware that your pediatrician has a 24 hour advice line, and the answering service will take questions like this during the evening and on weekends. Learn to use it. No one here can give you any advice about medications (prescription or over-the-counter) the way a medical professional can. Call the number now. And your question should not be about the 3 year old, but about the comfort and health of your baby. In a pinch (and only in a pinch), talk to the registered pharmacist or pharmacy manager at your drug store.

Also, what made you decide that Benadryl was the medication of choice for a runny nose and a cough? The question to ask is, "What medication, if any, can I give a child for these symptoms?"

We all understand how frustrating it is to have 2 kids, one of whom is sick, and to deal with sleep deprivation and exhaustion. It can be overwhelming. That's why you ALWAYS call the doctor, for relevant and qualified advice.

This question is definitely for your child's pediatrician.

Call the nurse line. He may need to be seen by a doctor to make sure he doesn't have an ear infection or some other illness that may require an antibiotic.

Benadryl is NOT recommended for infants, and since your son is under 1 year of age, he would be considered an infant.

Your pediatrician should have a 24 hour line you can call to talk to someone, if not contact your pharmacy & ask to speak to the pharmacist to see if there are any over-the-counter products that might help.

Home remedy for runny nose of course is kleenex & humidity for the cough - running a warm shower while sitting in the bathroom. Hope your little one feels better soon! T. :)

Honestly - I'd share our experiences, but I don't want to because I'm scared you'll give your baby meds based on what we say here. So I am just going to advise talking to your pediatrician.

See your pediatrician.
That's what they are there for.
Benadryl is for allergies - you don't know if he has allergies or if it's a cold - which Benadryl won't work for.
Also - getting the right dose by weight for your child is tough too.
The doctor (and pharmacist) will help you with this IF a medicine is prescribed.
Get a humidifier in his room at night, and use a bulb syringe to suck the snot from his nose (he'll hate it but he'll breathe better afterward).
Having a sick baby is tough but I wouldn't be trying any over the counter meds without a doctor telling how to do that safely.

What does your doctor say?

what should you do? call the childs dr. ask them for whats safe for the child.

You should call the doctor, the 24 hour nurse line if it's after office hours, and speak with them.

You need to talk to your ped first. You can either call the 24 hour line or deal with it until tomorrow morning then ask.

One thing you can do tonight - run a humidifier in his room.

Keep an eye on that cough. If it sounds like a seal barking and he is really crying hard, or if at any point he has trouble breathing, go to the ER. It's the time of year when kids get croup.

Are you afraid to ask the doctor's office because you know they'll say no?

You know that your baby is too young to give medicine to without speaking to the pediatrician's office first.

Do you have saline spray and a bulb syringe? If you don't, get them.. An ear bulb is actually better than a nose bulb with a baby as old as yours. You spray the saline up his nose, then suction it out with the ear bulb syringe. That helps with the runny nose.

Sit him up in his car seat instead of laying him down. He can breathe better. Strap him up in the seat and put the seat in the crib.

NEVER give medicine to your child without talking to the doctor. Even the bottle says to speak to the doctor before 2 years old.

I would never give a baby that age benadryl. But then I would never look for advice on medication for a baby from strangers on the internet. Just sayin. Hope he feels better soon - please call the doctor.

Thanks for the question C.,

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Check with his pedi

Consult his doctor for a diagnosis, advice, and dosing instructions if applicable.

Benedryl is an antihistamine for allergies, it isn't a decongestant or cough suppressant. It would not be an appropriate medication for treating cold symptoms.

Hold him in a steamy bathroom, use a humidifier, have him sleep reclining rather than flat. Use a bulb sucker on his nose if a tissue won't clear it. This is probably something that is going to keep you up for a few nights.

Recently a daycare gave an infant Benadryl and it was an overdose and the baby died. Please ask your pediatrician what might be safe to give. As others have said, Benadryl is not the right medication for his age or symptoms.

Not without specific instructions from your doc then double check that amount with a pharmacist.

I wouldn't. I am one of those people that has a bad reaction to Benadryl. It makes my husband sleepy, but it makes me wired and have leg pain. I would hate to think your baby was one of the people who have a bad reaction. I don't even think there is a recommended dosage for a baby. I would stick with saline. You may want to try a homeopathic. Hepar Sulphur C is good for runny nose and cough. Or you could try teething tablets. They always helped my kids feel better.

Call your doctor or go to Urgent Care. And go buy a nasal aspirator.

No Benedryl at 8 months without your ped saying so. And for the most part, until 6, a cold needs saline and tissues!!