Can you sedate a baby for travel?

Is giving kids medication to sedate them on a flight a good idea? Janice Heard, a paediatrician in Calgary and a member of the Canadian Paediatric Society's (CPS) Public Education Advisory Committee, says the CPS does not recommend parents sedate their kids with medications like Gravol or Benadryl on a flight.



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It's not unusual for parents to consider avoiding such potential problems by using medication to make their baby sleep. Medication is a tempting way to keep your baby quiet for a few hours during a trip, but I don't recommend it.

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Helping with nausea is one of the benefits of Gravol, but it and the antihistamine Benadryl are also known to make kids sleepy. Because of this, many parents choose to give their kids these medications to help them settle and get some sleep on a plane ride.

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The best thing you can do while traveling with babies is to try to recreate the baby's sleep environment as much as possible. When it comes to baby travel gear, this includes bringing their swaddle/sleep sack, pacifiers, and a portable white noise machine—whatever you use at home.

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If you're traveling with an infant in arms, you may want to call the airline to request a bassinet for the baby. (only available on long haul flights) These bassinets give the baby their own place to laydown flat and sleep uninterrupted on the plane.

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On long-haul flights, you can request a bassinet/sky cot for your baby to sleep in. You'll need to book a bulkhead seat (a row with no other seats in front) to get those though. Contact the airline as soon as you know you're travelling to see if you can reserve one (Flying with a baby, 2018b).

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What to do when a baby is crying on the plane
  1. Offer an aisle seat if the parent is stuck in the middle. Getting out from between two strangers and into the aisle with just a little extra shoulder room can make all the difference. ...
  2. Share a kind word or smile. ...
  3. Provide hands-on help. ...
  4. See if there's an empty seat.


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Benadryl - Many parents ask about giving Benadryl to their child before a flight to promote rest and sleep. This is not necessary. Benadryl does not necessarily cause a child to sleep or sit quietly. In fact, it may cause a child to be hyper and/or irritable.

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“The benefit of using melatonin is likely to be greater the more times zones crossed, though it has less benefit for westward flights.” Her recommended dose is 0.3 to 0.5 mg, depending on the child's weight, but you should always check with your pediatrician on whether melatonin is a good option for your child and on ...

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Japan Airlines has introduced a feature on its seat booking system that shows where young children are seated. A child icon appears when a passenger is travelling with children aged under two years.

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Unfortunately, babies don't quite understand how to cope with (or avoid) that unpleasant sensation. As a result, they may get irritable and cry—especially during take-off and landing. Parents and guardians traveling with infants can get ahead of this ear pain and the tantrums associated with it by planning ahead.

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While experts recommend waiting until after the 2-month mark to fly with a newborn, you may find that after that your baby is a great traveler. For many families, the sweet spot is between months 3 and 8.

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Air travel increases a newborn's risk of catching an infectious disease. Babies born prematurely, with chronic heart or lung problems, or with upper or lower respiratory symptoms may also have problems with the change in oxygen level within the air cabin.

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Mountain Travel With Newborns: Travel to places below 8,000 feet (2,438 meters) is safe. Brief drives over higher mountain passes are safe. If your newborn is not healthy, don't travel above 8,000 feet (2,438 meters). Your child's doctor should give the okay first.

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