Sedating kids/babies on long flights is a ...

[MichelleCarmen]

I don't think drugging for behavioral issues is analogous to giving a baby benedryl to get her through a long flight.

Exactly. I feel the same way. Why do adults feel it's okay to order a stiff drink or have their dr prescribe xanax for a flight, but if a parent suggests their child may need something, it's abuse? Totally hypocritical.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

I wouldn't judge any parents who decided to sedate. The chances of an anaphylactic reaction are very small and frankly, there are a lot of risks we take in life like putting kids in a car, swimming in the sea, climbing trees etc etc

This is how I feel too...why give some medication to a chid that the parent has never tried before. My kids are older enough now (10 & 12), however, when younger we had already tested how they reacted to baby Tylelol and knew they wouldn't have any sort of negative reaction. I never gave my kids beneydryl, so I''m not familiar with it, but we did have the baby tylenol just in case there was upset durng flight. It seemed more as an emergency route, to make it through a 3 hour flight. I don't understand the intense judgment, but I feel only a select few respond.

 

[MakingTheGrade]

Yes, I would sedate them if they were going to be very distressed (not just if they were being fidgety, there's better ways to deal with that) I wouldn't give anything I hadn't tried out on land first. But I'm a doctor with advanced life support skills, my husband is too and we feel safe and travel well equipped.

I had to resuscitate my first patient in flight quite recently in fact!

I wouldn't judge any parents who decided to sedate. The chances of an anaphylactic reaction are very small and frankly, there are a lot of risks we take in life like putting kids in a car, swimming in the sea, climbing trees etc etc

Agreed, I think as someone with medical background, I would feel more comfortable giving something appropriate if needed to my potential children on a flight.

Also, the baby may be crying because they are legitimately in pain or distressed from the pressures and physical discomforts of flying, giving them something for that discomfort I would argue is more ethical than letting the child be uncomfortable and unhappy. You are likely making the flight more comfortable and less traumatic for the baby (with the silver lining of making it a more peaceful trip for your co flyers too). Of course, this comes with the common sense caveat of only giving baby something safe and previously proved well tolerated, and as needed. I wouldn't condone medication in anticipation, lol.

 

[iheartscience]

I think the question of whether or not children should be sedated on flights is worthy of thought and discussion. The new question of whether or not children *need* to fly, however, is simply ludicrous.

Mm hmm, agreed.

How about this: if you are a human being who is incapable of tolerating other human beings in a public setting and you cannot find the strength within yourself to peacefully coexist with your fellow human beings, do not use public roads, transportation, meeting areas, parks, etc. Just become a hermit and allow the rest of us who are able to get along just fine with each other to do so, without your glares and your smirks, and your judgment.

SNORT. I think this is a great plan.