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Original poster

"Preventative" Calpol? (Not jab related)

29 replies

Crunchymum · 15/10/2021 18:30

Had an interesting conversation with a few mums earlier, one mentioned her DC was tired / moany / not herself so she gave the DC Calpol and an early night.... child was as good as new today.

Is this a thing? I know some jabs tell you to give Calpol (can't remember if it's before of after and if it is still the given advice?)

Child in question is almost 4, good communication skills so could have told mum if they were feeling poorly?

I was intrigued and she said she has done this with all her kids (and tbf they are all pretty robust) and its only on the rare occasion etc.

OP posts:
Original poster
Crunchymum · 15/10/2021 19:51

I guess no-one wants to admit to drugging their children then? Grin

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 15/10/2021 19:52

No its not something I've done

PheasantsNest · 15/10/2021 19:57

It always made my hyper so no I didn't. My SIL regularly did though.

purplesequins · 15/10/2021 19:57

moany child = possibly not feeling well but not able to communicate precisely.

I give my dc medicine when they need it, but try house remedies first, like a hot water bottle or warm milk with honey.

ThirdTimeLucky123 · 15/10/2021 19:58

It’s just paracetamol? Nothing really to be gained by ‘drugging’ Hmm

ThirdElephant · 15/10/2021 20:00

I have done with under twos at bedtime if they're fussy and it has helped them sleep. I tend to put it down to teething. I'd not do it above that age though.

CocaColaTruck1 · 15/10/2021 20:01

When my DC couldn't communicate and I could tell he felt off I done it

xksismybestletter · 15/10/2021 20:02

I sometimes give myself a paracetamol if I am not feeling myself, even if I can't articulate the source of the problem
Is this not the same?
Hardly drugging anyone

KurtWilde · 15/10/2021 20:02

Definitely done this when they're clearly not 100% and can't put it down to anything specific. IA small amount of paracetamol isn't drugging them Confused

emmaluggs · 15/10/2021 20:03

No it’s paracetamol if I’m feeling under the weather and tired I get an early night not take paracetamol as a preventative. I dunno I’m not one for taking things regularly so I’ve not done it with my children, if they are definitely feeling really poorly or communicate that with me I of course help them feel better with paracetamol etc.

ThirdElephant · 15/10/2021 20:06

@ThirdElephant

I have done with under twos at bedtime if they're fussy and it has helped them sleep. I tend to put it down to teething. I'd not do it above that age though.
And only ever half a dose.
Cofifeefee · 15/10/2021 20:06

It's paracetamol. Unless she is giving a higher dose than advised, she is not drugging her children.

User0ne · 15/10/2021 20:07

I'm not sure that what you're describing is "preventative". Your friend thinks her child is not on top form (maybe mild illness) so gives Calpol and plenty of rest. Is the Calpol definitely needed? Probably not.

Do you take paracetamol for headaches? Because you know it's not really necessary.

Disclaimer: I have given Calpol (actually cheap rip off version) to all of my children when I've suspected they were teething and also put them to bed early Grin

Original poster
Crunchymum · 15/10/2021 20:08

The drugging comment was a joke (hence the Grin)

I have a chronic health condition myself so am not adverse to pain medication. Just wondering if it's a "thing" to offer it to keep to stave off / negate any potential nasties brewing.

OP posts:
Dancingbugbadge · 15/10/2021 20:08

Before able to reliably communicate yes I would have done it. Not regularly but if they really didn’t seem themselves.

Etonmessisyum · 15/10/2021 20:13

No point in giving half a dose either it’s suboptimal and a waste of paracetamol tbh. If you think they are off/not right then give it but not just because they might be.

TheLastLonelyBakedBeanInTheTin · 15/10/2021 20:14

Yes a couple of times over multiple children and many years. I think sometimes they have teeth coming through or growing pains, so it's not really preventative but to treat something they don't have the words for yet. I actually give my DC medicine more now they are older, because they can explain their pain. Whereas with toddlers it's often guess work.

DingleyDel · 15/10/2021 20:14

I’ve been told by my family GP and A&E docs on a number of occasions to give calpol based on how child seems in themselves. High fever but fine in themselves? Don’t necessarily need calpol(although most parents feel more comfortable with fever being reduced). If they seem in distress or pain and not themselves, calpol all the way. Seems sensible advice really. Although at the 1st sign of a fever mine get the drugs no matter how chirpy they seem. I think sometimes you can sense if your dc are a little out of sorts and just need a bit of paracetamol and a good nights sleep.

ThirdElephant · 15/10/2021 20:19

@Etonmessisyum

No point in giving half a dose either it’s suboptimal and a waste of paracetamol tbh. If you think they are off/not right then give it but not just because they might be.
I read (on here, so a pinch of salt) that some countries use half a dose as normal. The OP of the thread was saying that it was difficult to get adequate pain meds for her daughter because she was used to a higher dosage than the locals.

I only have half a dose myself unless I'm in severe pain. One tablet instead of two. I find it works just fine, and I use the same principle for my kids. If they're clearly in significant distress, then a full dose. Otherwise, half.

LakeShoreD · 15/10/2021 20:19

An almost 4YO won’t necessarily be able to accurately explain what’s wrong. I know in the past I’ve felt just crappy/achy without anything too specific before and I wouldn’t expect a still 3 year to be able to describe that. If they’re not themselves, overly tired and whingy then I would definitely give them something (probably Nurofen since lasts longer overnight and mine hate the taste of calpol) and put them to bed early.

Ohshittt · 15/10/2021 20:19

Mine seems to think calpol is some form of arsenic and upon sight his lips are forced together like a pair of magnets so it's not something I do but I can see why others may! Obviously not regularly but it's just mothers instinct kicking in when things don't seem right.

UtterlyUnimaginativeUsername · 15/10/2021 20:24

Calpol isn't going to prevent anything, though.

In that situation, I'd have given them an early night, but not paracetamol without a more concrete reason, at that age. A good night's sleep fixes an awful lot.

immersivereader · 15/10/2021 20:26

Dunno, used to do this with DD when she was whiny and younger. Seemed to take the edge off. As pp's say, it just eases them, like adults having a paracetamol

CovoidOfAllHumanity · 15/10/2021 20:30

I have a very low threshold for 'drugging' myself with paracetamol and ibuprofen if I am in any pain or feeling unwell
These are not harmful medications in correct doses used occasionally so my thought is 'why suffer?'
I am apply the same thinking to my kids
If they are non specifically unwell then I offer them some calpol
It s just common sense to me.

ReeseWitherfork · 15/10/2021 20:42

I've got a few friends that do this and one in particular then panics when her kids are actually ill. I don't know how often she's gives Calpol but I'd say it's multiple times a week so it's normal for her, therefore she feels a bit useless and like she's not doing anything when her kid is actually ill. She gets a bit panicky and theres often GP/A&E visits.

It seems a bit odd to me but I can't defend my own personal reluctance to take paracetamol (not giving DS Calpol, I mean taking painkillers myself)

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