Calpol!

[Poliosmolio123]

Why does everyone always jump to using Calpol straight away and it's always the first bit of advice they give?

Baby sad, ah must give them calpol
Baby teething Calpol!
Baby has a temperature raised by 0.2 of a degree, oh they need calpol
Baby not sleeping - give them Calpol!

Like, is it only me who just doesn't like the stuff or want to medicate my child willy nilly?

Its the first thing any of my family members do or say and it makes me feel like a shitty parent for not wanting to give it to them! Obviously I would if I was advised by a HC professional.

Is this totally unreasonable?

YABU - I use Calpol all the time
YANBU - I don't use it all the time

Don't get me started about anbesol.

I don't know what the thing you mention at the end is, but Calpol doesn't drug out babies. It's just a painkiller. It is paracetamol. It has no effect on sleep or drowsiness. If you know people who are using it to get their baby to go to sleep, I don't think that works. Unless, their baby is in pain and the pain relief helps them sleep, because it is hard to get to sleep when you are in pain.

Ahhhh another mother judging other mothers who use pain relief when a child needs it. Take the stick out of your arse and read a book!

@mintich I would know by a certain cry as such. My main point here was, that every one around me seems to give it at least 3 times a week. I have maybe used it three times under doctors instructions in 13 months. It's just the first thing I'm mentioned to do from FM. I thought I'd ask on a forum of parents whether it is used widely or not.

@SqidgeBum

I use scalpel for teething. That's it. And I know when she is teething and when she is just being moany. There are the same signs with teething every time (change in poo, red cheeks, chewing her fingers, refusing food). She probably will get calpol twice a day for 2 days and then not again til the next batch of teeth, which could be months. I dont use it unless I have to.

I do think it can be overused. My SIL shoved it down her sons neck neatly everyday from month 4. Everything was "might be teething. Give him calpol". She even told her mom to give it to him ever 4 hours when he was being minded by her "just in case". He basically lives on the stuff.

The scalpel sounds a bit extreme!

Found an article you might enjoy OP:

www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/jun/04/why-parents-are-addicted-to-calpol

I know equally as many parents who leave their child to suffer rather than give Calpol as ones who give it for anything and everything. Be careful you're not the former either OP.

YANBU. BEER is what you give whiny kids! Tch

@lufcaregoingup I've not judged at all! I'm simply asking a question to other parents as I clearly do not use it as much as others or I may be should!

But you don’t know

A type of cry is bullshit. Yeah they may have a type of cry, but sometimes it isn’t that cry.

If you have tried absolutely everything else, what’s the harm in giving them some painkillers just in case

I thought I'd ask on a forum of parents whether it is used widely or not.

Your phrasing wasn't quite as neutral as this though.

We used it more with DS2 because we realised we’d withheld it (fearing medication) when DS1 was in pain with teeth (realised once he was a toddler and it was more obvious). Now if I would take paracetamol I give it to the DC (eg ‘my head hurts’ is ‘have a drink’ then if it still hurts have some paracetamol).

Like, is it only me who just doesn't like the stuff or want to medicate my child willy nilly?

Yup, no judgement there at all

@soubriquet No its not 'bullshit' my daughter only ever does a certain cry when she is in pain. Because I personally don't like to give her a pain killer unless I know that is what she needs, often it can be resolved with other items? My point here isnt to judge but to simply ask others, but, clearly I'm totally in the wrong for not using it so much and asking others why/if they do!

You know you don't give a teaspoon of anbesol, OP?

Just checking...

I absolutely agree. DH’s cousin gave her DS a 2.5ml spoonful every 4 hours “just incase” from he was allowed it.
Her MIL complained to her about drugging her son so she switched to some holistic drop thing. He’s now 5 and does himself at break and lunch at school!!

@FelicityPike

I absolutely agree. DH’s cousin gave her DS a 2.5ml spoonful every 4 hours “just incase” from he was allowed it. Her MIL complained to her about drugging her son so she switched to some holistic drop thing. He’s now 5 and does himself at break and lunch at school!!

YANBU it shocks me the ridiculous things people use it for

It's for pain and reducing high fever NOT designed as a placebo for irritable infants.

Quite honestly I am and always have been someone who turns to medication as a last resort

Baby too warm? Take some clothes off, open a window first and see if that helps it often does

Teething? Give them something to chew on my dd I used frozen carrot batons and similar, sometimes I used a diluted clove oil blend which is something I use myself for toothache and it does work, only giving calpol if those didn't work

There's NOTHING in calpol that aids sleep that's a myth

Overuse is potentially dangerous paracetamol is NOT a benign drug and can have serious effects on little organs.

@DelurkingAJ this is my main fear also, maybe I am simoly fearing it too much so much so that we just don't ever give it, maybe, when she may need it? I think it's like you say they can't explain the problem that is going on.

@Todaywewilldobetter no i dont actually no how to use it! 😅 I just heard from other parents how they used it purely because 'it's knocks em out, it's like giving a little, bit of brandy, doesn't hurt'

@FelicityPike this is similar to what I've experienced, hence my inital fear of using it! So sad 😅

My nephew (back in the late 70s), had his dummy dipped in the calpol bottle every night before bed and if he woke up. Every night, poorly or not. I was only 14 at the time but looking back on it now, I’m shocked.

It’s a painkiller and reduces a temperature.

If my child is in pain or has a temperature, and nothing else is working, I use it, as advised by GP and various qualified nursing staff.

It isn’t 96% alcohol. That was gripe water in the 1930s. Perhaps reading the Calpol dosing leaflet would help reassure you.

@BranchAndPoppy

I don't know what the thing you mention at the end is, but Calpol doesn't drug out babies. It's just a painkiller. It is paracetamol. It has no effect on sleep or drowsiness. If you know people who are using it to get their baby to go to sleep, I don't think that works. Unless, their baby is in pain and the pain relief helps them sleep, because it is hard to get to sleep when you are in pain.

Anbesol is an anaesthetic gel you rub around the sore gums of a teething baby to give pain relief.

I don’t know anyone who gives their child calpol because they are sad.

I don’t use much calpol but what’s wrong with anbesol? It’s a topical pain relief and I’ve used it myself just recently (until discovering it was a few years out of date).