WIBU to have given Calpol?

[Thurlow]

Because DP is annoying me...

14mo has a temperature - 38+ (our thermometer is pretty shite, I need a new one), certainly hot to the touch and faster breathing, but not the raging 40+ we can get with an ear infection. No idea what is causing it. So I did the usual: cool bath, Calpol, bed in just a babygrow and no sleepbag.

On being told of this DP, who is at work this evening, texted back and said "don't dose her so much" (alongside nice things about hoping she is ok, before I make his sound like an absolute prize)



Calpol is perfectly acceptable at this point, right? She hardly ever has it anyway, well obviously if she has an ear infection she does have a few days of Calpol 2-3 times a day for a few days, but other than that she gets it very occasionally when she seems about ready to chew her arm off with teething.

[SweepTheHalls]

If in doubt, Calpol. Why leave a child woth a temp?

[getoffthecoffeetable]

Go with your instinct. Your DH is at work so can't gauge how poorly she is. In any event, I think calpol was the best reaction to raised temperature.
Hope that your DC is feeling better soon

[AuntieStella]

If she is in pain, yes give it.

If she is warm but comfy, then don't.

I bet DH takes a normal does of pain killer when he's in pain.

[AnisotropicWeetabixFTW]

If you're giving calpol solely to lower the temperature, then yes he's right. You don't give meds to reduce a temperature alone. If the child is uncomfortable or in pain, then of course you do but medicating for a mild fever of 38 with no other concerns actually isn't recommended.

[MmeThenardier]

I don't give calpol for a slight temp. Only for pain or discomfort or a v high temp.

Why would you if they are happy enough?

But YANBU your call not his if you're there and he isn't.

[Pobblewhohasnotoes]

What Weetabix said. It's not recommended now purely for a temperature, as you have a temperature for a reason. Unless its 40 degrees. If in pain and miserable then yes.

[Thurlow]

Good points about the temp. She certainly wasn't happy, cuddly and clingy and prone to shivering, though it's hard to tell with her whether she is in pain or discomfit - with her first ear infection and a ridiculous temperature she didn't bat an eyelid. I know I certainly take paracetamol if I'm feeling hot and shivery. I worry with little ones about the temperature getting worse during the night, I will admit that...

[Iggly]

I would t give calpol in that instance. If you're worried about fever, keep her room cool and check on her.

[MmeThenardier]

From your description she sounds thoroughly unhappy and I would have given her calpol.

[LemonPeculiarJones]

YANBU, I would have done the same. Giving painkillers when your child is probably aching all over (just like we do when we're feverish, right?) is absolutely fine.

[BombayBadonkadonks]

I would have done the same.

DS2 had a febrile convulsion and he gets calpol when his ears are hot - normal sign he has a high temp.

[Thurlow]

Thanks all. I'll tell DP to shove off with that opinion when he's not here

I'll try and avoid Calpol etc during the day if wearing cool clothing will keep the temp down instead. I just feel bad at night before bed.

[Yfronts]

I would calpol to control the temp. A temp that raises to fast can cause convulsions I've heard. So best to keep it reduced.

[Spookey80]

Me and my dh seem to constantly disagree about this and I always just give it any way as I know best!
Better to put them put of discomfort then risk it.

[Bearfrills]

YANBU, I'd have given Calpol too.

Like Bombay and her DS, my DD has had a febrile convulsion in the past so now (on the recommendation of our GP) as soon as she gets a temperature out comes the Calpol, regardless of other symptoms, to get it back down quickly. When she's really poorly with a raging temperature she has Calpol and ibuprofen on two hourly rotation during the day and then 10mls of ibuprofen at bedtime.

While it's not recommended to frequently dose, the doses on Calpol are massively understated anyway (for example in hospital they dose by weight not age and the amount given is often 2-3 times what it says on the bottle)

[minibmw2010]

I would def Calpol, my DS is very prone to high temps when asleep and poorly. But I thought cool baths were a no now when a temp Is involved?

[MrsOakenshield]

I would give Calpol to reduce temp at night, but I try hard not to give in the day unless very miserable and under the weather indeed. Sounds like she needed it and will be more comfortable because you did.

[Thurlow]

Yeah, the cool bath possibly wasn't the best idea. It was still warm, just not as hot as she normally likes it, but she started shivering by the time she stood up and I could get her into a towel. I might be scrapping that one next time!

[Pobblewhohasnotoes]

There's been research recently to show that a febrile convulsion will occur regardless of anti-pyretics (paracetamol and ibuprofen). You aren't meant to tepid sponge as it fools the brain into thinking your body has cooled down, so I presume that a cool bath is the same?

[BartletForTeamGB]

yfronts, bearfrils, giving Calpol makes no difference to your risk of febrile convulsions.

It is not recommended to give Calpol just to reduce a temperature as it makes no difference to the risk of febrile convulsions and can prolong illness. A raised temperature is a good thing. It is helping your body fight infection.

However, if a child is miserable and in pain, then of course give Calpol.

NICE guidelines on feverish illness in children which explains all the research

"Antipyretic agents do not prevent febrile convulsions and should not be
used specifically for this purpose."

[shallweshop]

Yes, I would have given Calpol at nighttime to help reduce fever and make her feel better.

[Thurlow]

You learn something new every day - I thought Calpol etc did help to reduce the possibilities of febrile convulsion. The arsehole of a GP I saw a few months back when DD had a temperature of 40+ with an ear infection certainly ranted about it enough. But then again, he was an arsehole and thought lecturing me on the possibility of a convulsion if I didn't get her temperature down, rather than advising me on how to actually achieve this, was the right thing to do.

[Pobblewhohasnotoes]

Here is an excellent piece on how to treat a temperature.

blog.theportlandhospital.com/babies-and-toddlers/ahh-choo-does-your-child-have-a-cold-cough-or-fever-should-you-give-paracetamol-ibuprofen-or-both

[Pobblewhohasnotoes]

blog.theportlandhospital.com/babies-and-toddlers/ahh-choo-does-your-child-have-a-cold-cough-or-fever-should-you-give-paracetamol-ibuprofen-or-both

Try again!