Can babies become addicted to Calpol?

[babyperks]

We've had a few bouts of teething over the past couple of weeks. I think we've stopped for a little bit, but it seems as though if I don't give my DS calpol before bed, he'll wake up before 12 crying. But if I do give it to him, he sleeps through. As soon as I give him calpol during the night, he goes straight to sleep. I thought it took at least 20 minutes to do its job?
So, could he just be non stop teething or does he cry for calpol?
Sorry if this sounds really stupid, but just can't stop wondering!!

Thanks in advance

[mummyxtwo]

He can't become physically addicted to it. It's more likely that he either has some discomfort still which the calpol settles, or calpol can make some babies a bit sleepy which would make him sleep better. Not sure why he falls asleep instantly after it, unless he has got to thinking of having his medicine as part of his bedtime routine. Vary it a bit perhaps, don't always give it immediately before bed if you think he does need a dose. If he's grumpy and you think his mouth hurts, give it to him downstairs half an hour before bedtime. or try some bonjela or anbesol instead and see if that proves just as effective.

[Hawkinzy]

Just typed up a fairly long response and pressed cancel by accident

Basically what I said was you cannot be physically addicted to paracetamol so your baby should be fine, so long as you're not exceeding the recommended doses!

[katrinaann12]

I was worried about this when my lg was ill, just stick to what your doctor has told you to do and our baby should be fine.

[ThisIsYourSong]

I'd say he's in some kind of pain that you aren't aware of but agree its good practice to wait until he wakes rather than giving a 'preventative' dose. I think it's very effective in children, DS ripped a big bit of skin off his toe today and cried in pain for a while, but was then calm and happy within about 5 minutes of having paracetamol.

[babyperks]

Thanks for the input ladies. I can now relax!! Yes I'm very strict on not giving calpol as soon as he gives a little whinge. He needs to convince me that he needs it first! But when it's in the middle of the night and you're extremely tired, it's so easy to want to give in!! He's still got a tooth coming down so maybe that's giving him a bit of jip!?

[KatyN]

have you tried giving him ibruprofen? Mine reacts better to it when he's teething and because you can alternate it with calpol you can
a) get more medicine into him when he's really poorly
b) not feel like you're going through calpol quite as fast because it's every other night!

k

[babyperks]

No, I haven't tried ibuprofen but I'll give it a go. Thank you

[Flossie82]

It could be that it is stopping the pain. Can take effect surprisingly quickly - when we took DS to casualty with a broken arm he was given a combination of paracetamol and ibuprofen on arrival and almost immediately stopped screaming. It did make me feel guilty for not giving any straight away, I had thought it wouldn't be strong enough!

I do find it hard to know when to give xalpol for teething as its difficult to know how much pain they are in. Don't want to medicate too often / unnecessarily, but don't want them to be hurting if it is easily fixed (and selfishly, it might help them sleep better!)

[georgedawes]

I think the message of the story is that teething goes on forever (sorry)

It does pass eventually!