Parenting FAIL!
In an anonymous “Parenting Secrets” column, a father sheepishly admits to drugging his son on a red-eye flight, but not with the usual suspects like Gravol or Benadryl, but with Lorazepam, the Schedule IV Controlled Drug better known as Ativan!!
Have Baby Will Travel founder and Family Travel Expert Corinne McDermott consulted with top infant nutritionist Lianne Phillipson-Webb of Sprout Right, and the Sleep Doula Tracey Ruiz for tips to help toddlers and preschoolers sleep on a plane WITHOUT resorting to drugs:
“Tracey recommends night flights, since there is usually less stimulation and kids are tired at the end of the day. She also suggests following your usual bedtime routine at home, modified for the flight, of course. Changing into pajamas, and settling with a story or song, all sends the signal that it’s time for sleep. Turn off the reading lights, and any seat back entertainment or gadgets that would entice them to stay awake. Of course, bring on board their special blanket or cuddly toy as well.
Lianne recommends a mid-flight snack of oatmeal and milk, as the combination of a slow release carbohydrate like oatmeal taken with milk, which is also a sleep inducing food containing both tryptophan and calcium, can help achieve restful sleep.
If you must resort to drugging your toddler before a flight, consult with your doctor beforehand for suggestions of appropriate medications and dosages. Mid-flight is not the time for experimenting, as the least of your concerns would be the opposite effect; sometimes medication makes kids hyper, instead of sleepy.”
Questions on traveling with little ones? Keep coming back to Perezitos and follow Corinne @hvbabywilltrvl on Twitter and on Facebook.
[Image via WENN.]