"Preventative" Calpol? (Not jab related)

[Crunchymum]

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.

Sometimes I let my DC run a bit of a fever if they seem Ok otherwise. But I always treat their pain, so fever and pain is medicine. A very high temperature or one with other symptoms which is stopping them eating or drinking or playing, again that would be medicine. I'm the opposite in myself. I don't Medicate every pain, but I can't deal with having even a slight fever so always medicate a fever. I only treat for pain when it goes over a certain threshold, but then I live with chronic pain and wouldn't want to take paracetomol and/or ibuprofen all the time.

tired / moany / not herself

All signs of something brewing. I would give calpol under these circumstances,

Yes, if my children gave me the impression that they were in discomfort (crying, out of sorts) and couldn't be easily distracted/settled of course I would give them a dose of calpol. I get head aches, stomach aches etc, I presume that small children do too. And mine seemed to be permanently teething!

Now they are older I can ask when they seem out of sorts, but before the age of about two there were times where I used my judgement based on their behaviour.

There seems to be a bit of a thing for some people about giving children pain relief which I don't really understand.

some kids that young just can't articulate what is wrong with them and Calpol is fine to give then, maybe they can't describe pain. It is also a thing, they are getting the special medicine and feel more relaxed in even knowing that. However Calpol is paracetamol and doesn't 'drug' anyone and make them sleepier. Anti-histamines such as 'night nurse' induce drowsiness. I have given Calpol but I think what you are suggesting is that people just getting their kids off their back and I wouldn't agree with the use of anti-histamines just to put them to sleep if not sick.