Cold - Foley,MN

Benadryl did not work with my oldest son (it made him hyperactive) but I did give it to my youngest for 1-2 nights just to help "dry" things up a bit and let him sleep! I also used some of the other methods like slightly raising the "head" end of the crib mattress, and a humidifier.

I've read - and have friends that can verify - that Benedryl can seriously backfire on you. Cause hyperactivity and irritability.
There's no way to know, of course, without giving it to your child. But I've always just let the cold run it's course.

Cold air humidifier, saline nasal spray, and raise the head of your child's bed. This is really all that will help. Bendryl will just masking the problem and not solve it. Don't use Vick's either, it can constrict the air way and make problems worse.

Both of my kids had colds earlier this year. My son - 4 and daughter 4 months at the time. The pediatrician said he didn't recommend any cold / cough medicine because they don't really work. I asked about a homeopathic version and said it would be fine to use. The drug store sells a syrup called Chestal Honey Cough that woks great for my son. (It has honey so don't give it to a child under 1) I also use elderberry syrup to help sooth the throat and boost immunity. Both taste so great he asks for them. Another is Flu Care or Sneezes and Sniffles by Highlands. They are tablets that dissolve in the mouth and have worked for us.

Most anti-hystemines (sp?) cause isues for young ones. My son becomes a living nightmare when he is given them.

Benadryl should only be given in an emergency. It has side effects that little ones can't express to you. Keep it around for bee stings and such!

Elderberry syrup is great for a cold and boosts the immune system so that the body can fight it off and not depend on meds. There are other good things out there but this is what worked best for me!

M.

I'd personally let the cold run its course. But, dependingon the age of your child and the severity of the cough, runny nose, I'd ask the pediatrician their advice.

My first instinct is that Benadryl wouldn't help as an antihistamine, but I'd also never think to use it that way. However, diphenhydramine, the active ingredient, is commonly used in other products such as sleep aids because of its sedative effect (check the active ingredients in Tylenol PM, Motrin PM, Advil PM, Unisom, etc).

I'd only do it under the blessing of my pediatrician, but my kids are young, so dosing is really important still.

Did the doc examine him? Allergy symptoms can be exactly the same as cold symptoms. A doctor can tell the difference by examining them. I know right now my boys are having huge problems with allergies. They take Zyrtec every night before bed and it works great. If we accidentally forget a dose then by the next day they seem as though they have a terrible cold! Just a thought :-)

If your child is under 6, do not give him Benadryl without your pediatrician's direction.

And like DanaW said, that's not really a use for it. You'd probably do better having him sleep propped up (if he's still in a crib they make wedges that fit tightly under the sheets), a little vicks, a cool mist humidifier may help the symptoms and make him more comfortable.

Also, Mama makes a good suggestion to have the doc take a look. It could very well be allergies. The doc can tell by the color and look of the nose when they take a peek up there.

With our son (who is 4), we are using children's liquid sudafed which works well.. Be sure it is the real Sudafed (only can be bought in the pharmacy) and not the fake Sudafed which is Sudafed PE.

As for the Benedryl, if my kids' cold is bad enough, I will give both Sudafed and Benedryl together. (The pharmacist confirmed it is ok to mix both of them since they have different ingredients.) That is what most OTC cold medicines have (decongestent and anti-histamine.).

Hope this helps