To think calpol is over used?

[crunchymint]

Calpol is used frequently by many parents. But it is basically paracetamol and should only be used for pain relief. NICE say it should not be used only to reduce fever. That is because unless very high, a certain amount of fever in ill children is a healthy response. But many staff will wrongly advise parents to give calpol when it is unnecessary.

It's recommended to give it before some vaccinations.

And I know adults who take paracetamol or ibruprofen daily for "headaches" going through packets a week. They were the same parents who'd go through bottles of child medicine. I am all for medication when in pain but sometimes people use it as a default.

I know my eldest thought it would cure all when he was about 4, and would cry and demand calpol. I bought some vitamin tonic instead and would give him that as a placebo and it always worked 😬

I'm with other posters here in that I don't think I have ever finished a bottle of Calpol. It's always gone out of date. I am aware I have very hardy children though, and they don't have chronic illnesses.

A friend of mine was shocked when she found out I didn't have a themometer in the home and rarely gave Calpol. By contrast she regularly checked her kids temps, even when they were well (!), and in response to every raised degree, she medicated her kids. I think somewhere in between is probably the right response. You know when you children are really unwell, and in need of some relief, just don't reach for the Calpol every time you register an increased temp or a hot cheek.

zzzz
Im with you, but i dont think most of these posters have been in the position when they have a child (and generations of their family) have seizures whenever they get a temperatures. They dont have just one or two in their lifetime but over 20 going up to puberty not just under 5.
I listened to my ds consultant, who was quite amused when i told her that mn advises not to give calpol and/or ibuprufen.

bruffin same here. I would much rather listen to somebody who has dealt with my DD during times when she is struggling - as in during or after a seizure - than worry about anybody else 🙈 works for us

I agree zzzzz. I have a friend who prides herself on not giving her children calpol. I have seen her daughter screaming in pain from teething. This same friend is happy to take painkillers herself when she has a headache/toothache/earache.

Is this post off the back of a programme or something? Or do you canvass the parents at school to see who’s dosing their kids?

I give calpol when a child is in pain or is ill with a fever. I don’t give it if they don’t need it. I’ve thrown away a couple of bottles that have gone out of date.

Of course children feel just as much as adults. But chickenpox is often worse for adults because you tend to get many more spots if you catch chickenpox as an adult as opposed to as a child. A generalisation obviously, but a true one.

chocolate It makes sense that adults who themselves over self medicate, will over medicate their children.

But tonsilitis and ear infections hurt whether your a child or an adult. Teething can hurt whether its your first tooth or wisdom. Why would you leave a child in pain but not an adult.

Nobody, I repeat nobody on this thread has suggested leaving a child in pain.
Personally though as an adult I would not take painkillers for plenty of things mentioned on this thread.

Personally though as an adult I would not take painkillers for plenty of things mentioned on this thread

Well done, you must have a far superior pain threshold to the rest of us.

My children have never been running around happily with a fever. If they have a fever, it’s because they have the accompanying illness which is causing them pain (ear infections most commonly). Therefore I give pain relief.

‘course children feel just as much as adults. But chickenpox is often worse for adults because you tend to get many more spots if you catch chickenpox as an adult as opposed to as a child. ’

I remember chicken pox as a child and it was awful. It’s not a competition though is it Crunchy? Kids in pain is the worst thing in the world.

People who moan all day they’re in pain and couldn’t possibly have a paracetamol cross their lips and do nothing about it...

There’s no badge of honour to be gained...

Pass Someone ridiculed the idea that chickenpox is worse as an adult. When on average adults have far more spots than kids when they catch chickenpox. It is the spots which hurt and are itchy.

I don’t think anyone has suggested leaving a child in pain?! Also it’s not MN that’s making this up, NICE guidelines say “do not use antipyretic agents with the sole aim of reducing body temperature in children with a fever” you can’t really argue with that.

I don’t know how you’d have any more spots than I had as a child, it was literally join the dots from head to toe...

My children were covered on approx 90% of their bodies, including in their mouths, up their noses and in their vaginas. Yes I gave calpol, and piriton.

I’m always surprised at how often some parents medicate their dcs, whether calpol, medised or anything else. I have only ever given it as pain relief - if my dcs had a high temp I presume that is the body’s way of fighting off infection and let it do it’s job. Obviously if they were to show a huge increase in temp or pain I would give them something, but its not my first instinct for them or me. I will have a drink, try a cup of tea, close my eyes and turn off screens, hot water bottle for tummy ache etc before taking pills.

I remember one holiday with DB and SIL where they made their 2 yo DS fit in with our days activities by waking him when they wanted to go out and giving medised when they wanted him to nap. Struck me as very odd, I’d rather wait half and hour for my dcs to wake up than drag them out of bed while they’re still tired then medicate them back to sleep!

Pass On average I said.

It can be more distressing for kids - especially youngsters - to be in pain tho because they don't understand the reasoning behind it.
I had chicken pox as a teen was the source of great amusement for my family and it definitely wasn't the spots that hurt...my entire body ached like i had the flu. The spots were just irritating as sin!

Crunchy guess I must have been an exception to the rule (well it doesn’t bloody surprise me because I’m fated)