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Parenting

Calpol for teething.

14 replies

Writerwannabe83 · 15/08/2014 21:29

Just a quick question as to how often we can give it.

DS is almost 5 months and having a difficult time with teething. During the day we manage it with teething rings and teething gel but come night time DS is really uncomfortable and upset by it. For the last 3 nights we have given him a dose of calpol before bed each night but I'm worried we are giving it to often. I know we are only giving it once a day before bed but it's the fact I'm giving it so many nights in a row that is worrying me. I feel like I'm just doping him up.

Has anyone else done this??

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boopdoop · 15/08/2014 22:35

Yes, we have - if my DS is in pain them is rather I've it than not.

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boopdoop · 15/08/2014 22:37

Sorry, silly typos! "If my DS is in pain then I'd rather give it then not.

He's had it at least a couple of times a day for the last few days as he's in so much pain.

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Thurlow · 15/08/2014 22:39

If it goes on for a week then I'd maybe think about it. But realistically they are in pain, and they need something to take the pain away.

Have you tried powders? They worked an absolute treat for us, and are homeopathic (I think?)

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sleepyhead · 15/08/2014 22:42

It's just paracetamol so it's only acting as a painkiller to give him enough relief to get off to sleep.

I'm sure you know this, but I quite often hear people talking about Calpol as if it had some sort of sedative effect. I think they confuse it with Medised (no longer available for under 6s I think) which also contained an antihistamine.

And yes, I'd give my dcs calpol if they were in pain and couldn't sleep. I'd take paracetamol myself in that situation so why should they suffer?

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flanjabelle · 15/08/2014 22:43

I have found that nurofen is much more effective for teething. It takes down the inflammation in the gums which helps a lot.

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Mrsgrumble · 15/08/2014 22:45

Our local pharmacist said don't hesitate i you feel the child needs it. Calpol can be given longer than nurofen (four days in a row max)

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Writerwannabe83 · 15/08/2014 22:57

Thanks everyone, I gave him some Nurofen in the end. It's just unbearable seeing him cry and munching like mad on his little fists. I haven't tried the powders so I will give them a go, thanks for the tip.

He didn't fall asleep until 22.30pm which is when the Nurofen kicked in I guess, poor little man. His sleep has been quite poor over the last week especially, waking every two hours on average. Hopefully the Nurofen will give him enough relief to allow him a more restful night.

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JiltedJohnsJulie · 15/08/2014 23:36

Try switching to ibruprofen. The Consultants in Maxio-Facial always tell you that ibruprofen is much better for dental pain than paracetamol.

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JiltedJohnsJulie · 15/08/2014 23:37

Whoops, see you've already switched.

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Writerwannabe83 · 16/08/2014 03:57

Having a really tough night. He only slept for an hour before waking up screaming and then took another hour to settle. I eventually bought him into bed with me but he's been very restless. I'm up feeding now.

I think I missed the optimal window to give the Nurofen and by the time he eventually got it the discomfort and bad mood were already firmly in place.

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BedPig2013 · 16/08/2014 07:40

Try and give him a bit of nurofen about 20 minutes before bed time tonight, that's what I do if my dd is teething, I usually give her a teething powder sachet too. Hope your ds is feeling better soon.

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HomeIsWhereTheHeartIs · 16/08/2014 07:43

Have you tried Anbesol? Its an anaesthetic. It comes in a tiny glass bottle, and you put a little on your finger then rub your finger along baby's gums. Works really well. Got it from the pharmacy counter in Asda.

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NickyEds · 16/08/2014 11:07

I second Anbesol. I've been giving DS calpol around 15 minutes before bed then anbesol just before he goes down. It's really good because it's a liquid not a gel-I find that the little blob of teething gel just gets eaten! I might be temped to get him checked over by the GP if teething is keeping him up all night op, just because a friend of mine mistook an ear infection for teething as they have similar symptoms. Oh, and don't worry about the Calpol it's better than him being in pain.

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Writerwannabe83 · 16/08/2014 11:12

I have noticed he keeps pulling at his left ear but just assumed it was another teething issue. He hasn't had any temperatures as of yet but I will keep an eye out for possible ear infection. He's been really reluctant to feed again this morning and seems to prefer I've side to the other.

He seems quite uncomfortable like he had got stomach ache and was worried it was the repeated calpol and Nurofen that was causing it.

I I'll get some if that teething liquid - thanks for the tip.

I wasn't aware you could use analgesics alongside teething gels etc - I thought you could only use one or the other.