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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

about the syringes they've started putting with medicines?

131 replies

MinimumPayment · 18/05/2015 20:13

The ones you get with Calpol etc these days.

I'm sure the reason is supposed to be to make sure the dose is measured accurately but I'm not convinced it actually helps on that front, it really isn't that hard with a spoon and does the difference between 5ml and 4.75 ml really matter?

The syringes are difficult to clean, it's more plastic for landfill (because how many do you really need?) and they're fiddly and messy to use. I'm sure they lead to more waste too as I end up with medicine down the outside of the bottle.

AIBU or does anyone prefer them?

OP posts:
RedToothBrush · 18/05/2015 22:49

I would like to bet its about psychology and branding as much as it is about dosage.

A parent thinks they are helping their child more with the product when its given with a syringe because of the associations this produces in their mind. So if the evidence of the benefit of the over the counter medicine is questionable, parents feel it must be better than not giving anything because its 'medical'

ChuffinAda · 18/05/2015 22:59

They're great for getting the grim banana medicine or the even worse white chalky crud into a very flighty child!

IgnoreMeEveryOtherReindeerDoes · 18/05/2015 23:12

I don't understand that Red as I have used syringe to give my DS steroids (tablets dissolved in water) for when his asthma has been bad, likewise for antibiotics

RedToothBrush · 18/05/2015 23:21

You mean prescribed medicine? So over the counter products are aping that? Hmm... why? Its not just about dosage.

YouMakeMyHeartSmile · 19/05/2015 07:39

Hmm I definitely have no thoughts about it helping my child more because it's out of a syringe. It's just easier than a spoon.

MrsRossPoldark · 19/05/2015 07:47

My DC are all much older, but I have kept the syringes. Useful for giving medicine to the dog, oiling my treadmill (when I had one). A friend uses one to put the jammy fillings in her scrummy muffins!

When I was using them for the kids, they were always so much better than trying to fend off flying spoon syndrome!

FaintlyMacabre · 19/05/2015 07:51

Another benefit that I don't think has been mentioned yet is that you can prepare a dose in advance if you think you'll be woken by a feverish baby at 3am. Keep it on the bedside table and you hardly need to turn on the light to administer it- means less disruption and fuss for a sick child and everyone gets back to sleep quicker.

MrsDeVere · 19/05/2015 07:51

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

GGabcd · 19/05/2015 07:55

Technical my child takes OTC allergy meds, but they have a script because of their age.

It's desolytorian (sp?) and it comes with a syringe, although not with the stopper Calpol comes with.

With a child with additional needs, syringes are much easier.

colleysmill · 19/05/2015 07:57

I find them easier to administer than a spoon.

They also make good bath toys when you've got too many if you feeling brave enough ;)

MrsDeVere · 19/05/2015 08:00

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

colleysmill · 19/05/2015 08:01

Ha reading the thread I'm not the only one who recycles old ones in the bath!!

bruffin · 19/05/2015 08:02

A parent thinks they are helping their child more with the product when its given with a syringe because of the associations this produces in their mind. So if the evidence of the benefit of the over the counter medicine is questionable, parents feel it must be better than not giving anything because its 'medical'

Really
most people use a syringe because it so much easier to administer are less messy. My dc are 19 and 17 and were using syringes when they were little, so not new.

One word: suppositories wink

Unfortunately not in the UK. They are £18 for 10 125mg. I begged my paediatrician for a prescription as my family has a genetic problem with febrile convulsions and dd went through a stage of refusing all medicine.He gave us the prescription but was reluctant because of the cost.

Sirzy · 19/05/2015 08:04

Personally I don't understand why anyone would use a spoon, syringes are so much easier!

Mopmay · 19/05/2015 08:05

Prefer. Can do one handed. Easier for child who wriggles or refuses. No mess

ladymalfoy · 19/05/2015 08:08

Love them. I put a bit of water in them and put them in the freezer.
DD can then chew on them when she's teething. Molars are coming now so she can get right to the back.

IgnoreMeEveryOtherReindeerDoes · 19/05/2015 09:55

No Red they not aping prescribed medicine infact none of my DS prescribed medicine even my non branded capol came with a syringe.

When using spoon for dosage I found that I always had antibiotics left over after completed days which defeats purpose of been given them whereas using syringe all medicine was taken.

Giving things like paracetamol is more accurate with syringe especially if child is taken into hospital and they ask what & how much medicine they had rather than say I don't know I put 5ml on spoon and managed to get ? In child.

I still don't understand what you are getting at other than parents dose kids up just because it comes with a syringe rather than if it was a spoon.

Or have I misunderstood?

CoffeeAndBiscuitsPlease · 19/05/2015 10:26

Mine broke, and now I have a bottle of calpol that I can't get anything out of :(

ChazsBrilliantAttitude · 19/05/2015 10:38

When DS2 was little he had chronic tonsillitis. You try spooning medication into a child with a raw throat, he used to fight back. The only practical option was a syringe.

YouMakeMyHeartSmile · 19/05/2015 11:32

Coffee you can take the plastic stopper out and use a spoon.

Oldraver · 19/05/2015 11:43

I have just been using our first bottle of Calpol with the new syringes and think they are brill. Only problem I had was the plastic bit in the bottle sometimes comes out with the syringe if you pull too hard

When DS was little he always used a syringe for his medicine as it had to be dispersed in water (no paediatric version available) but luckily learned to take tablete pretty early on. I'm going to look at what dose he needs now and may ditch calpol for tablets anyway

Morelikeguidelines · 19/05/2015 11:48

I think it's easier with a syringe. Less mess, and easier to get into baby's mouth.

You're not supposed to poke it so far down their throat that they gag, just past their teeth.

Oldraver · 19/05/2015 11:56

Oh just seen others have said 'we have been using syringes for years'. You have always been able to buy syringes to use instead of spoons

These new ones fit into a plastic bit at the top of the bottle, then you turn the bottle upside down and draw off the Calpol.....it does look very 'medical'

I used to pop DS's tablet in the syringe then draw up the amount of water to dissolve it in (which took ages). It made it much easier all round

madreloco · 19/05/2015 16:06

No Red they not aping prescribed medicine infact none of my DS prescribed medicine even my non branded capol came with a syringe.

All of my DS's prescribed meds come with a syringe. It has to be very accurate, using a spoon would be idiotic.

Maybe they should be aping prescribed medicine, people might stop using Calpol as if it isn't strong medicine. I know plenty parents who give it for no good reason. There are people on this thread complaining that the syringes are filling up their cutlery drawers...how much bloody Calpol are they using that this is a problem?

NotYouNaanBread · 19/05/2015 17:08

I LOVE them. They're so great, especially if you're dosing somebody up at night and want to avoid sticky messy Calpol all over the place because SOMEBODY moved her head at the last moment.

It also helps a lot if the child doesn't like the taste or is fighting the medicine.