{"id":60731,"date":"2023-10-09T09:30:18","date_gmt":"2023-10-09T13:30:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=60731"},"modified":"2024-11-13T11:11:01","modified_gmt":"2024-11-13T16:11:01","slug":"infant-benadryl","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/infant-benadryl\/","title":{"rendered":"Can you give babies and toddlers Benadryl?"},"content":{"rendered":"

For many, <\/span>Benadryl<\/span><\/a> (<\/span>diphenhydramine<\/span><\/a>) is one of those <\/span>over-the-counter<\/span> medications that is always kept on hand. The popular <\/span>antihistamine<\/span> is primarily used for <\/span>allergy symptoms<\/span>: It can relieve <\/span>itchy<\/span> eyes, itchy skin or hives, <\/span>runny nose<\/span>, and <\/span>sneezing<\/span>. It\u2019s also <\/span>indicated<\/span><\/a> for cold symptoms, like congestion and sinus pressure; used as a sleep aid because of its <\/span>sedative<\/span> properties; and can help quell nausea and vomiting because it\u2019s an <\/span>antiemetic<\/span><\/a>. It\u2019s no wonder that it\u2019s a go-to for many. But what about the little ones in your household?<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s important to have all the facts before giving your sick or <\/span>itchy<\/span> infant <\/span>Benadryl<\/span>\u2014it\u2019s indicated for some uses, and dangerous for others. If you\u2019ve ever wondered if <\/span>Benadryl<\/span> is appropriate for babies, read on to learn about safety information for children, including dosage guidelines and <\/span>side effects<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Can babies have <\/span>Benadryl<\/span>?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Babies can have <\/span>Benadryl<\/span>, but it should only be given under the supervision of a <\/span>healthcare provider<\/span>. Just because there is a line of <\/span>brand name<\/span> Children\u2019s Benadryl<\/span> products\u2014and <\/span>Benadryl<\/span> use in kids is a common practice\u2014doesn\u2019t mean all children can or should take the medication. Children younger than two years old, in particular, are at risk for serious <\/span>side effects<\/span> and reactions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMore than 15 years ago, the United States Food and Drug Administration (<\/span>FDA<\/span>) <\/span>identified multiple reports<\/span><\/a> of adverse events and death in children who used <\/span>over-the-counter<\/span> cough and cold products, and these risks were found to be greatest in children less than 2 <\/span>years of age<\/span>,\u201d says <\/span>Kelly Johnson-Arbor, MD<\/span><\/a>, a medical toxicologist based in Washington, DC. \u201cAlthough the <\/span>FDA<\/span> recommends that parents and caregivers not administer decongestant or <\/span>antihistamine<\/span> drugs to children under the age of 2, these drugs can be given to <\/span>young children<\/span> in hospitals and other <\/span>healthcare<\/span> settings to treat <\/span>allergic reactions<\/span>.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>The general guideline for giving <\/span>Benadryl<\/span> (<\/span>diphenhydramine<\/span>) to a child is that it is typically safe for children aged 2 and older\u2014however, it’s essential to consult with a <\/span>pediatrician<\/span> or <\/span>healthcare provider<\/span> for specific dosing recommendations for your child,\u201d says <\/span>Daniel Ganjian, MD,<\/span><\/a> a board-certified <\/span>pediatrician<\/span> at Providence Saint John\u2019s Health Center in Santa Monica, California. <\/span>\u201c<\/span>Once evaluated, the <\/span>pediatrician<\/span> might recommend <\/span>Benadryl<\/span> for children younger than 2, even as early as 6 months old.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Unlike adult <\/span>Benadryl<\/span>\u2014and contrary to popular belief\u2014<\/span>Children\u2019s Benadryl<\/span> should <\/span>never<\/span><\/i> be used as a sleep aid for kids of any age\u2014especially before traveling. In fact, for some children, Benadryl may produce the opposite response and make them more active.<\/span><\/p>\n

Benadryl dosage<\/span> for babies and toddlers<\/span><\/h2>\n

For children younger than 2, Dr. Ganjian says current <\/span>Benadryl dosing<\/span> recommendations are based on the <\/span>child\u2019s weight<\/span> and their medical history\u2014both of which your <\/span>healthcare provider<\/span> will consider before advising you to administer <\/span>Benadryl<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

While the adult dosage of <\/span>Benadryl<\/span> depends on the strength of the medication, weight is the main marker for <\/span>Children\u2019s Benadryl<\/span><\/a> dosage<\/span>, so it\u2019s essential that you have an accurate weight of your child<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If your <\/span>healthcare provider<\/span> gives you the go-ahead to give your child <\/span>Benadryl<\/span>, make sure to follow the instructions or the package directions exactly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDifferent children\u2019s formulations of <\/span>Benadryl<\/span> have different dosing instructions and may not be appropriate for all age groups,\u201d Dr. Johnson-Arbor says. \u201dWhen <\/span>dosing <\/span>children\u2019s Benadryl<\/span><\/a>, always use the dosing cup or device included in the package.\u201d Using other tools, such as a kitchen spoon, could result in inaccurate measurements or <\/span>product overdose<\/span><\/a>.<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

While it may be tempting to use whatever you have on hand, never use adult <\/span>Benadryl<\/span> with kids. \u201cChildren should only receive formulations of <\/span>Benadryl<\/span> that are specific for their age group,\u201d Dr. Johnson-Arbor says.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The dosing chart below is for reference only; you should speak with your child\u2019s <\/span>pediatrician<\/span> for <\/span>additional information<\/span> before administering any <\/span>allergy medicine<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Benadryl dosage chart <\/span><\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
<\/td>\n11 to 16 lbs.\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n17 to 21 lbs.\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n21 to 24 lbs.<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n38 to 49 lbs.<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n50 to 99 lbs.\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n100 lbs. or more\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Children\u2019s Benadryl – <\/span>liquid (12.5 mg\/ 5 mL)<\/span><\/td>\nAsk a doctor<\/span><\/td>\nAsk a doctor<\/span><\/td>\n4 ml<\/span><\/td>\n7.5 ml<\/span><\/td>\n10 ml<\/span><\/td>\n20 ml<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Children\u2019s Benadryl – chewable tablets<\/span> (12.5 mg)<\/span><\/td>\nAsk a doctor<\/span><\/td>\nAsk a doctor<\/span><\/td>\nAsk a doctor<\/span><\/td>\n1.5 tabs<\/span><\/td>\n2 tabs<\/span><\/td>\n4 tabs<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Benadryl<\/span> tablets (25 mg)<\/span><\/td>\nAsk a doctor<\/span><\/td>\nAsk a doctor<\/span><\/td>\nAsk a doctor<\/span><\/td>\n.5 tabs<\/span><\/td>\n1 tab<\/span><\/td>\n2 tabs<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Benadryl<\/span> capsules (25 mg)<\/span><\/td>\n—<\/span><\/td>\n—<\/span><\/td>\n—<\/span><\/td>\n—<\/span><\/td>\n1 capsule<\/span><\/td>\n2 capsules<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Source: <\/span><\/i>St. Louis Children\u2019s Hospital<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/small><\/p>\n

Risks of <\/span>Benadryl<\/span> for infants and children\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

While your <\/span>pediatrician<\/span> may recommend or administer <\/span>Benadryl<\/span> for your infant or child, there are myriad reasons you shouldn\u2019t give your child the medication without that official guidance.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBecause of their small size, <\/span>young children<\/span> are more susceptible to developing serious <\/span>side effects<\/span> after taking <\/span>Benadryl<\/span>,\u201d Dr. Johnson-Arbor says. <\/span>Side effects<\/span> for <\/span>Children\u2019s Benadryl<\/span> include:<\/span><\/p>\n