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

[RagamuffinAndFidget]

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?

Who is swearing off pharmaceuticals Lagoona?

arethereanyleftatall I crashed organic fresh ginger and gave him about 1ml twice a day. He's prone to bacterial infections so I do it as soon I see the cold getting more serious or hitting 37! Also for tonsils not to flare up I give it spoon of tumeric in but milk and honey 2-3 times a day.... He's had the worst shit the last couple of months everyone in nursery in antibiotics and thank God didn't turn into bacterial so no abs!
With ginger also the temp goes down as crap come out so most times don't need calpol! But not gonna lie ginger is minging!

Ginger and turmeric are not without their side effects.

What's their side effect?

Google them. There are contraindications for some people. You have to be particularly careful with herbs and spices of more than food doses for pregnant/breast feeding mothers so I would presume in babies as well.

I M fascinated but the fact that because I don't reach for Calpol at the first whinge I am lining myself up with woo merchants and anti vaxers!

Off to have hot shower.

still don't think anyone should ever give a child paracetamol unless they have a temperature that's making them unhappy, or are in pain though. It's fantastic at dealing with those two specific things. But nothing else

honkin I googled them and they didn't apply to us at all, they did say it's extremely unlikely though and only in high doses which is not the case.. Why don't you google the benefits of both these especially in babies?!
Bottom line id rather give ginger than antibiotics simple as it's silly to even debate

Thanks another.

I'm with you Bertrand, but don't worry, there's a happy place sonewhere in between woo and the 'justincaseers'.

Purely anecdotal this, but dd1 loves oranges - eats them by the bag. Hasn't had a single cold/cough/sore throat since she was 4 (now 7).

Cats I admire your patience with these people who believe Vicks is reflexology for the respiratory system (still lol) and keep suggesting you give calpol to your kids three times a day when they're perfectly healthy, rather than your sensible decision to give it to them when they have cold symptoms. Unfortunately, people who don't need proper evidence to put their trust in something can't be argued with.

Where is the scientific data that shows ginger will cure a bacterial infection?

I find it a bit baffling that quoting recommendations from NICE guidelines and the NHS website is considered 'woo' while someone suggesting that you should give paracetamol for a cold 'just in case' is considered 'sensible'

excellent point bumbleymummy :-)

Agree bumbley.

"Bottom line id rather give ginger than antibiotics simple as it's silly to even debate"

Well, most people would rather not take antibiotics with all their charming side effects (thrush and diarrhea are my personal faves) but it's ridiculous to give ginger to someone with a bacterial infection.

^^ ginger instead of antibiotics, I mean.

Gave 11 week DS Calpol last night when he was still screaming in pain at 1:30 am with bad silent reflux. First time he's had it other than jabs but it let us both get sone sleep and I'll use it again if the same happens. And if the Ranitidine that he's just been prescribed works I'll probably build a small shrine to honour the evil big-pharma bastards that make it

He's 7 months old, has a cold and won't settle to sleep?

Personally I'd be getting off Facebook, giving him some Calpol and my full attention as at his age he's not able to verbalise exactly how sick he feels.

I wouldn't give calpol to a child with a cold who seemed happy, sleeping properly etc. I would give it without hesitation to a child with a cold who showed signs of discomfort (with mine there is no middle ground - he is either happy or he isn't) or was struggling to get to sleep. Some people have said they would try other things first. That is what I wouldn't do. I think it's fine to try other things with adults or older verbal children but with younger or non verbal ones I think you need to get rid of the chance of pain quickly.

Honking, I think it depends on what is causing the discomfort. If, as in the OPs case, it was the baby's stuffy nose that seemed to be upsetting him rather than him being in actual pain, then he'd be better off if you tried to clear the stuffy nose rather than giving him Calpol 'just in case' it was something else.

Well, most people would rather not take antibiotics with all their charming side effects (thrush and diarrhea are my personal faves) but it's ridiculous to give ginger to someone with a bacterial infection.

What is ridiculous is you not reading my posts properly ! I said it prevents a bacterial infection of given at the beginning of the cold does not cure it!

Kaki thanks. I get wound up by bullshit and pseudo science, not so much for themselves but when people won't give their kids medicine because some woo sounds better it really boils my piss.

My son had suspected sepsis when he was born. Guess I should have refused the NICU and antibiotics and lay him on a bed of roses, lit some scented candles and given him ginger!

So, why don't they suggest ginger to immuno-compromised people before they get the bacterial infections? It would be cheaper, no needs for GP appts, and much more positive in terms of long-term AB resistance.

I'm on board with not giving calpol every time your little one sneezes but I knew this thread would descend into woo.

Problem is how can you actually know if a 7 month old is in pain with a sore throat, headache etc - they can't tell you except by crying! Well done all you grown ups who don't touch a thing when they have a cold (me included!) but if my child was miserable and not sleeping, I think I'd be tempted to give a bit of calpol just in case it helped - after all I think we all agree that rest is the most important thing in aiding recovery...

You don't know that it is just the stuffy nose that is causing the problem. I would give calpol first and the deal with the nose, so I know I have done all I can to eliminate pain. The calpol won't hurt him.