I'm in the UK at the moment and DH spoke to the pharmacist before we left because I was travelling alone with DD. He said that although the bottle said not for under 2's he knew plenty of people who'd given it to younger children and to just give a half dose.
I was very very hesitant but did give her a quarter dose at home to see how it went - luckily it made her sleepy not hyper!
On the flight I initially gave DD Brauers but it had no effect. She wasn't crying all the time, but she still wouldn't sleep. 11 hours into the 14 hour flight I caved and gave her a very small dose of phenergen but it didn't actually have effect until the start of the next flight 4 hours later - then she slept the whole flight! I didn't really like giving it to her but it got to the point where she desperately wanted to sleep but couldn't seem to switch off in that environment. I don't feel great about having given it to her but I am glad she was able to get some sleep in the end.
Still not sure what the plan is for the homebound flight yet!
Good luck with it, whatever you decide - I know tonnes of babies who have done really well on flights, just not mine!
My youngest has some pretty stunning allergies and we were told to get this from the chemist for them when we ended up with a welted lobster. We couldnt get it without a prescription because our child was under two at the time. You will find almost all pharmacies are like that now. And like many others it was anything BUT sedentary. I wouldnt recommend it unless you have to for medical reasons. JMO.
If you're using it as a sedative, then it has to be given in larger doses or it has a paradoxical effect - hence some of you saying it had the opposite effect and making the kids go nutso.
I'd speak to a pharmacist or even better, your GP who might be able to offer some other solution. But I also know of people who've given it to kids younger than 2 but again, I'd check with the Dr for doses.
That's interesting to know - I think I followed the instructions on the pack regarding "for sedation" but I was a bit paranoid about the whole thing so it's likely I gave a little less than it said.
It was bloody awful though, the poor child was climbing the walls.
Don't use it. Use an alternative if you can't breastfeed on the flight.
I took Polaramine with me, on the advice of a friend's mother who is a pharmacist and never used it. I was sure my on-land super active boy was going to be a nightmare on our 27 hour flight to Ireland when he was 17 months old and he was an absolute gem...unmedicated, just boobs, in the end
Charlotte has been on 4 hour flights both ways since she was 2 months old and loves it.
The staff are really good, and so long as you have something for them to suck on or chew on for take off and landing you will be fine.
Charlotte watches the little telley thing and does colouring, we take some story books and she has something to eat.
What time of day are you travelling?
I would avoid phenergen at all costs, and honestly, any sedative at all as they are simply unnecessary.
When my DS was 14 months we travelled to Europe. Like you, I didn't want to sedate him but I did want to have the option up my sleeve in case he was distressed during the long flights. He has renal problems and so I spoke to both his paed and his urologist. Both said that either Phenergan or Pain Stop (which contains Codiene) would be suitable, but to try them at home first in case there was any negative effect. Gave Phenergan to DS and my DD (3 at the time) and they both went BESERK. Soooo hyper! Didn't use that on the plane then... Was hesitant to use the Pain Stop and never actually bought any.
In the end the flights were ok. There were some difficult moments, such as when my DS was just about to fall asleep and had that final hurrah cry which lasted about 2 minutes. Until then, he had been quiet. As his mother, I knew I just had to hold him for that two minutes, let him cry and he would finally sleep. The bloke in front of me turned around and said "Would you shut that screaming kid up????" I was already exhausted from lack of sleep and entertaining DS, so I snapped back "Mate, I'm doing the very best I can, it's the first time in seven hours he has made any noise, and if you don't like it I suggest next time you charter a private jet. Now turn around, you're keeping my kid awake!!" He turned around and DS slept for the next 8 hours.... thank god!!!!
Anyway, I wouldn't sedate your DD without consulting your doctor, but honestly you should be fine on a five hour flight. Lots of entertainment as the PP's have suggested... and plenty of patience!!
Some children do become "hyperactive" with phenergan despite being given it at "seadation levels". Phenergan does not have a sedative effect on all people (including adults).
Winter - a lot of pharmacists won't sell it if they know you are going to give it to a child under 2. It is true that it can suppress respiratory rates. I advise it's use with CAUTION in children under two. Have a chat to your GP about it, if they are happy for you to give it to DD on the flight, they can write you a prescription. Also chat to your pharmacist for some alternative options and trial them before you go to see if they work.
I'ts totally up to you, but I think it's worth chancing it without the stuff. It is only 5 hours at the end of the day, the flight staff are WELL used to little ones and I'm sure they will help - she may even surprise you.
Sticker books rock btw.
I was so nervy about the whole phenergan thing that I chucked the bottle the next day because I couldn't relax giving it to her (then I watched her climb the walls anyway)
Phenergen for 16 month old?
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