AIBU to not want to give LO Calpol if she doesn't need it?

[mamabear2409]

So I live with my MIL who is generally helpful but sometimes I feel like she doesn't want to listen to me regarding my own child as I am so young (I'm 22 FTM with another on the way). My daughter is 6 months old and is generally healthy. Today we took her for her injections (she's catching up as she was born abroad) - every time we have taken her for injections, she cries for a minute or 2 and then she is perfectly fine again. I have never noticed she has had a significant fever after an injection either and no change to her mood.
My MIL and husband insisted on giving her calpol because she was whinging slightly as she was sleepy. I told them they were wrong to want to give it to her if she was fine with no fever. They brushed me off explaining they wanted to give it to prevent fever. When I tried to explain that fever is the bodies way of fighting off infection I just get ignored.

I am not one of those mothers who would sit and watch their child in pain but why should I give her medication when she's in good health? It genuinely does not make sense to me. AIBU about this??

Your MIL and husband are being ridiculous. Giving her Calpol when she doesn't need it is wrong.

There is two of the rounds of jabs that they really should have Calpol preventively but usually the person administering it would do it there and then.

Otherwise treat the child not the temp/preventkon

YANBU. I've only ever given paracetamol to my children if they had a particularly high temp or they are in actual pain. It is useless for any other purpose, so why would I medicate them unnecessarily? It doesn't make them sleep unless it resolves something that is stopping them sleeping ie earache.

I don’t think you are being unreasonable.

Having said that, when my sister had her oldest (now 16) she was advised by the GP to give her calpol the day of her jabs so she wouldnt feel ill, so maybe that’s the advice she is remembering. And then when I had my youngest (now 9) the advice was the opposite, I think.

Totally reasonable. I've seen way too many parents give Calpol (other brands are available ) when it isn't needed. We are more of the persuasion of it going out of date before it is finidgef!

There was one vaccination the letter advised giving calpol as fever very common (1st and 3rd set but cant remember which particular one) so gave for that. For the others only if baby seemed uncomfortable and needed painkiller or had a fever.

I was told by the nurse when my son had his injections to give calpol after them as a preventative measure even before a fever had shown up. I thought your post was going to be about someone wanting you to give calpol all the time for the slightest reason, but can’t see that your DH and MiL have done anything wrong in this situation.

YANBU

Your response is proportionate, well informed, sensible and logical.

I ask myself if it was me, would I take paracetamol. For an injection that didn't cause me to feel unwell? No!

I was advised by the nurse to only give calpol IF she needed it.

You're supposed to give it with meningitis vaccine (Round one and three of the baby jabs). This is because a high temperature can stop the vaccine from working properly.

That being said you are Mum so your word should be final IMO.

YABU advice is to give Calpol after injections. AT 6 months your baby can't ask for it themselves. One dose really won't be harmful to them.

I think you are probably in the right, if you felt she needed Calpol later you could give it and it would work quickly. Calpol is not going to prevent infection, just treat the symptoms - pain and fever. It's difficult if you feel MIL is railroading you, maybe try to ensure she's not around for any future injections. As far as DH goes, his opinion should not be ignored by you but perhaps ask GP (or whoever is giving injection) what they advise re Calpol and then you both have 'expert advice'.

X post. You already had nurse's advice. Why was that not good enough for DH?

My understanding with jabs is that you give it.

I am loathe to give my son calpol, but I do prefer to err on the side of caution because when they grumble or fuss, it’s usually their way of telling you “something hurts mummy”. They have no other way to communicate. And usually a day after the fussing, I end up with a horrific sore throat and understand why DS was unhappy, and reach for the painkillers myself! I think with jabs it’s best to give it.

We went to a paediatrician who specialised in vaccines and she always told us not to give painkillers as there was growing evidence to suggest they lessen the effectiveness.

pinkgloves

That’s interesting! I do also worry sometimes about them masking symptoms.