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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to wonder why people give so much medicine to their kids?

582 replies

RagamuffinAndFidget · 19/01/2016 22:47

I am totally open to being told IABU here, am just looking for opinions really.

DS3 (7mo) has a cough and a cold. I posted a 'go the fuck to sleep' type status on Facebook earlier and had lots of comments from friends telling me to give Calpol/Nurofen. For a cold? Really? Also some comments suggesting Vicks on his feet, which seems more sensible..

Do people really give Calpol every time their child has the sniffles? Is there actually a point to it, or is it just the done thing to dose a child up every time they cry now? Don't get me wrong, I do give my children medicine if they have a very high temperature or are in pain, but I try not to give it often, and I wouldn't give it for a cough/lack of sleep.

Is it just me?

OP posts:
DisappointedOne · 20/01/2016 13:55

Baby ibuprofen would be better for sore gums than calpol too (anti inflammatory)

TheCatsMeow · 20/01/2016 13:55

TheCatsMeow - I think we are going to have to agree to disagree on this one. I would never give my child medication 'just in case'.

Some people seem to have this view that medicine is inherently risky and only for emergencies. It isn't.

AnotherTimeMaybe · 20/01/2016 13:57

I was taking the piss at you thinking that something rubbed on to the skin gets absorbed into the bloodstream.
It doesn't?? Ds1 is prescribed a special transdermal cream as he's low on vitamins and his gut can't absorb them . His vitamins level went up since starting it, the body does bring in the bloodstream what you rub in it

DisappointedOne · 20/01/2016 13:58

Because you're massaging it into/onto the feet = heat and isn't camphor warming?

Original poster
RagamuffinAndFidget · 20/01/2016 13:59

That's not my view Cats. I don't think medicine is evil and, as I've said, I will give it if I think it's necessary. I just don't think it's necessary every time a child sneezes.

I have given medicine when my (older) kids have had chicken pox, or a high temperature, or whatever. Just not every time they've had a cold.

OP posts:
Mia1415 · 20/01/2016 14:00

If you are referring to me as 'some people' catsmeow, then you are quite wrong. I don't believe that medicine is just for emergencies. What I disagree with is giving medicine 'just in case'.

TheCatsMeow · 20/01/2016 14:02

Not you specifically.

But why wouldn't you do something that is pretty safe that can limit your child's discomfort? At worst it will not work

bumbleymummy · 20/01/2016 14:03

I agree with you Mia. I don't think medicine should be given 'just in case' either. It's a very strange attitude to have and certainly seems to go against medical advice.

TheCatsMeow · 20/01/2016 14:05

Why is it strange?

And it does not go against medical advice, I was told to use calpol indefinitely when my son was unwell

bumbleymummy · 20/01/2016 14:10

I posted the NICE advice up thread. It most certainly does not say, "give paracetamol just in case"

GingerCuddleMonsterThe2nd · 20/01/2016 14:14

When I have a cold I like to have a rose pettle placed on my forhead, some scented candles lit whilst my feet are rubbed with butter and whale music plays in the background. I really find this eases the symptoms of headache, sore throat and sinus ache.Fuck popping pa paracetamol at my desk in work, I retreat to the staff woo room for 45minutes and ask my manager for a cuddle Hmm

honkinghaddock · 20/01/2016 14:16

Doctors do advise calpol just in case if the benefits outweigh the disadvantages. Likewise antibiotics. Ds is on two prescribed drugs at the moment because of the risk of pain and resulting challenging behaviour if he stops taking them. It is not always straight forward.

AnotherTimeMaybe · 20/01/2016 14:16

Ginger depends on the manager Wink

TheCatsMeow · 20/01/2016 14:20

Ginger that's exactly what I've been thinking for this whole thing LOL Grin

BertrandRussell · 20/01/2016 14:24

Another thing- I don't want my children growing up thinking that medicine is the first thing you reach for. I hate it when you see children actually asking for calpol.....

GingerCuddleMonsterThe2nd · 20/01/2016 14:25

People do know nobody gets a sticky star for self imposed suffering through refusal to take adequate pain relief for cold symptoms?

Or have I missed the memo where it is now the done thing? Confused

Children can't always tell us what's wrong so we must assume and some of us assume the grizzlig and all round irritability of the child along with a runny nose and low grade fever probably means they are uncomfortable so some if us think fuck it have some ibuprofen/paracetamol child and get some sleep and rest up.

TheCatsMeow · 20/01/2016 14:31

Another thing- I don't want my children growing up thinking that medicine is the first thing you reach for. I hate it when you see children actually asking for calpol.....

Medicines only a last resort when the woo fails?

TheCatsMeow · 20/01/2016 14:32

ginger why do I think these are the same people who feel superior for not having pain relief in birth

bumbleymummy · 20/01/2016 14:33

Ginger, you do know that not everyone feels like they're 'suffering' when they don't take paracetamol for a cold don't you?

I agree Bert. It's horrid to see children asking for a spoonful of Calpol before bed. Even worse when the parents just laugh and give it to them!

TheCatsMeow · 20/01/2016 14:34

It's horrid to see children asking for a spoonful of Calpol

None of you have been able to explain why though

honkinghaddock · 20/01/2016 14:35

I'd love mine to be able to ask for calpol (instead of trying to bite me).

DisappointedOne · 20/01/2016 14:36

I don't take pain killers for back pain (unless absolutely excrutiating) because the pain is there for a reason. Mask the pain, free your movement, potentially cause more damage.

I'll use a hot water bottle before drugs for period pain. Fresh air before caffeine if I'm tired. Change what I'm eating to reduce mucus during a cold etc. these steps often mean the drugs aren't required. There's nothing wrong with that.

TheCatsMeow · 20/01/2016 14:39

I don't take pain killers for back pain (unless absolutely excrutiating) because the pain is there for a reason. Mask the pain, free your movement, potentially cause more damage.

That's bullshit. Take a painkiller and don't over exert yourself, it's not either or.

You say "and then medicine isn't needed" as though medicine is a bad thing.

Bubblesinthesummer · 20/01/2016 14:41

don't over exert yourself

Actually that isn't strictly true. You should move about as much as possible.

Mia1415 · 20/01/2016 14:42

CatsMeow - that's a big assumption to make! When I'm in pain I take pain medication. When I gave birth I absolutely had pain medication, as it was needed and actually had a medicinal benefit. When my DS is in pain I give him pain medication. When he has a cold and no temperature, I don't give him pain medication!

We normally end up in A&E every time he has a cold as he has a severe viral wheeze and while there, they take his temperature, and guess what, if he has a temperature (and he hasn't already had any) they give him calpol, and if he hasn't got a temperature they don't. As oddly enough they too believe that there is no point giving medication that isn't needed.