Travel Tips

Keeping Kids Quiet During Flight

You might’ve heard about the recent “Baby Benadryl” incident where loud toddler was banished from a plane, leading many parents are wondering how they can keep their kids quiet on a flight. Here’s what you should know.

First, avoid drugging your children to keep them quiet.

The antihistamines in Benadryl, for example, that act to put adults to sleep can actually have the opposite effect on young children and make them hyperactive. Instead of drugging them, anticipate your kids’ needs.

Provide pacifiers for babies or lollipops for older ones to keep their ears from popping.

Fly early in the day to avoid cranky kids, and choose non-stop flights (not to be confused with “direct”) to keep the journey as short as possible.

And if you’re thinking of putting brandy or whiskey on baby’s gums to soothe him during the flight—think again.

Both planes and alcohol act to dehydrate baby—and dehydration is a big barrier to sleep.

For tips on traveling with kids, check out Cruising with Kids: Adventures in Babysitting or Traveling with Tweens.

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