Drugging a Child to make her sleep....

This is a VERY sticky situation. There are so many factors that need to be taken into consideration that I just don't know where to begin. First of all, does the child have allergies? And is she using children's Benadryll or adult formula? And did she discuss this with her Doctor and did you even ask her that? There are so many important things that you may not know about. I would tread very carefully, were I you. I don't believe an antihistimine like childrens benadryll would hard the child in such small doses. My best advice to you on this would be to tell you to mind your own business. If your friend is a good mother, which you said yourself then I would leave the business of raising her child to her. The territory that you're getting into could very easily get out of hand and I would seriously think twice before you even mention it to her again. As for children having adverse affects from prolonged dosages of benadryll, I don't think there really are any. Benadryll is specifically used for allergies. My best friends daughter took it almost daily, in far larger doses than your friend is giving her kid, and she's now 20 years old and has had no health problems as a result of it. Seriously though, be careful, because the red flag you're raising might be the cause of far more trouble than you're bargaining for.

I think you should try finding out who her pediatrician is, call him/her and tell him your concern. Maybe if she hears how harmful it is from a trusted doctor, she will take it seriously. Coming from you, it is an opinion to her, and she may not ever understand that it is harmful and you are trying to be a friend, not a bosey, meddling person butting into her life trying to enforce your beliefs on her and incinuating that you think she is a bad parent. If you can't get a trusted doctor, find someone that she trusts to help you. Otherwise, she will probably not listen to you, and maybe even stop being your friend because of being offended by you trying to help.

My goodness. I would not do this to my child. I think your friend needs and should stop this. The child may become dependent on it to fall asleep and that is not good.

I definately don't think this is right either. My concern is that she told you she does it once or twice a week, when in reality, it is probably more and she was sugar coating it. Perhaps suggest that she makes sure her daughter gets more exercise during the day (playing outside with her, taking her to a park, etc.) Perhaps she should cut down on her naptime a little bit too, but taking meds to get a 1 yr. old to sleep is just crazy!! I'm concerned about what she'll do when she's older, or a teenager like my kids and they turn nocturnal on weekends and stay up all night watching movies...lol But seriously, that's a very sad situation, and if I were you, I'd keep the discussion going to try and get through to her. Best of luck!! :-)

I don't agree with this. It is akin to giving your child a sleeping pill. I honestly can say that I have given my children medication to sleep probably 2 times in their lives. Once was because they were so sick they needed it, and once was because I was so sick, they and I needed it. I would never to this on a regular basis, and even hated myself for doing it twice. I don't know how well she is going to take it if you tell her that you don't agree. My biggest problem with this is that if her child is 1, what is she going to do when she is 3 or 4? I dont think that Benydryl is approved for that yound.

simply disgusting.....makes no sense....

ya know I hate totell you this..But i had a situation that my child wouldnyt sleep threw the night..it was last year, i dont remember what or why..but i took him tot he Doctoir and thats what he told me to do..give him some Benydry top help sleep..and my mom was just was furious as you lol..but i will tell you..it worked. i dont use it anymore..but it deff helped out then when he needed it..and yes i was just as shocked but it helped him.

I cant answer that only a doctor can. But I know its not safe to do that. What she is doing is called child abuse. And if she doesnt want to listen to a friend I suggest you report her. If something serious would happen to that child you would feel so bad and wished you would have done something.

See its really unfair on your friends part but its her child and stay away from this as everyone has full rights on thier kids and none will appreciate any such interference.

My sister used to do the same thing with both of her daughters, and I would fight with her about it. I say that any mother who gives their small children dangerous medicine (over the counter Benadryl is NOT meant for infants) just to get them to fall asleep, is completely irresponsible and lazy. Yes, we as mothers get tired sometimes after taking care of our children all day. That is not an excuse to put our children's lives in danger. Your friend says that she does this to "keep her daughter's schedule"....that is complete bulls**t. She just wants to rest herself. People like that should never have even had children.

nah this is perfectly normal.. it seems your a little overprotective of your children and not open to try new things.. my mom used this aswel , just because my little brother had difficulty sleeping at night becuase of nightmares but then he got back into the pattern soon enough and she stopped giving it to him. mothers only wants the best for her children

What a terrible thing to do to a child. What if she needs benydryl for medical reasons, she will have had so much of it in her system that it wont work. That is just wrong on so many levels.

That's definitely something I would not do. I'd use natural ways to help relax the child into sleep. I'd talk to her and suggest more natural ways, such as aromatherapy to help her get some sleep.

yes please warn her its also a child abuse. these sleeping doses have evidently slowed down the brain activity and then the child will probably grow into a dull headed person.there r chances of hormone problems too..

well,my mother was the same..she was giving to us(me and my sisters) anti depresants and other stuff to make us calm..since we were 3 years old maybe..well,what can i say..all of use got some problems..with nervs,depression..i guess what..i dont live with my mother for years and i dont even talk to her anymore..she is addicted to tabs..

this is the same problem that I face, I must accompany my 1 year old baby until she gets to sleep, sometimes she can fall asleep fast, around 9 p.m., but sometimes I have to stay awake with her until 11 p.m! And there are things that I must do too. Sometimes it crossed my mind to give her something so she can go to sleep soon, but it just crossed my mind, I never did it, of course. I love my baby very much, and I don't want anything bad to happen to her. Even if I have to stay awake until the morning just to accompany her, I would do that, why? because she's my daughter. About your friend, I think you should ask a doctor about it, and then tell your friend what the doctor said that it can damage her baby's body.

wow i cant believe that. i hope she consulted with a doctor before doing this. maybe you should ask a doctor to find out what the risks are if she wont, and let her know about them. if she continues to do this, then maybe you should do something about it for the safety of the child.

that is such a horrible thing

All we know, that itis not normal. If she was not your friend you would alredy call the childcare service. I think that woman is not normal. In my country there is a "health visitor" whose task to check the parents, and help them, or if she notice the parents hurt the children she makes the steps what needs. I would speak to this visitor, what she thinks, and I would ask her to help.

This is really a horribe situation. i cant belive that a mom can do this with her child at this age, its really pathetic.i am not a doctor but still i can understand that it will hurt her child internally then why she cant understand that? this is totally amazing this thing is really un bearable. try to stop your freind else she would lose her child at any stage when ever she give her child over dose, pathetic, she is not a good mom