Abiu to be annoyed that child minder gave child (15 months) laxative without permission

[Abracadabra1989]

Picked child up from childminders yesterday and after a brief chat in the morning where I explained that they was impacted and was struggling, they announced on pick up they had given her Luctulose, didn't inform my of how much or what time and didn't even ask my permission or tell me she was going to do so.
Would you be annoyed, am I being unreasonable to be annoyed?
I hate confrontation and was also a little taken a back at the time so didn't say anything.
She has given me some in a syringe to give her at home when she was bunged up a few months ago but I didn't give it her as weren't sure it was for her age and just binned it

I'd say, thanks for helping my child feel less in pain. . and move on

Before you start getting your knickers in a twist about assault, reporting to ofsted and removing your child.

What paper work have you signed regarding medication being given by your CM? Different CM and nurseries have different policies. I have used some which had a blanket signature for over the counter medicines to be given without being asked first.

If you're not happy with it, you need to speak with your CM. If you cannot broach things in a responsible manner with the person who is caring for your children, then you need to reconsider whether or not it's a good idea for you to have others looking after your kids.

She shouldn’t be childminding, the only predication provided by the parent should be given and she should have written consent for all medication.

@PenelopeP1tstop

And OMG - someone saying report to the police.

Have a fucking word with yourself. Christ.

So what prescription only medications would you say it's ok for a childminder to give to a child in their care if said medication hasn't actually been prescribed by a doctor? @PenelopeP1tstop

They were trying to help your baby with a bit of sugar water which you buy over the counter.
An impactation is likely to cause far more damage to your poor baby. I'd be pleased they'd taken the initiative to ease her suffering.

I'm shocked by the replies on here!

I'm honestly amazed by those posters minimising this. It's incredibly serious and childcare providers have strict rules surrounding medicines.

I was a CM. She should have written policies & procedures, which you should have read and signed. I'd be amazed if they don't state what everyone is saying above. So as a first action I would draw her attention back to those.

I bought this over the counter for my little one after a quick word with the pharmacist abs have recommended it to a friend. It’s not ok to give it without checking but it’s not a crime.

CMs cannot just administer medicine to minders without (1) prior consent from the parents (2) it being prescribed for the child from the GP if not an OTC medicine.

I would be livid

Even calpol - I'd expect a text "your little one is unwell and has a temperature. Would you like me to give a dose of calpol while we wait for you to come and collect" sort of thing.

YANBU because she should have asked you first, the lactulose itself won’t cause any problem, but one does won’t help either as you need movicol (infant gaviscon made DD1 constipated at this age).

I would definitely be reading through the contract to check you haven’t missed something in there about her giving certain medications, but there shouldn’t be as childminders/nursery need prior consent.

DDs nursery made us sign a form stating what dose paracetamol she could have, how often and for how long, every time she needed it.

I would also report to ofsted, this really isn’t okay. Your child could have had an allergic reaction to the medication. She should know better.

There has to be trust when leaving you DC in the care of others. If she is this blase about medicine, who is to say she doesnt give doses of calpol/nurofen at her own choosing?

@Karwomannghia

I bought this over the counter for my little one after a quick word with the pharmacist abs have recommended it to a friend. It’s not ok to give it without checking but it’s not a crime.

Why is it not a crime? I honestly don't know if it is it isn't, hence I'd be calling the police to find out. But hypothetically if a childminder started giving a child any random prescription medicine they felt like, you wouldn't think that was a lawful thing to do would you?

If it is or isn't that should read

@Karwomannghia

I bought this over the counter for my little one after a quick word with the pharmacist abs have recommended it to a friend. It’s not ok to give it without checking but it’s not a crime.

But would you give your friends baby a dose when they were alone with you without the mums consent?

I answered that when I said not ok.

The doctor advised me to get Lactulose for my baby - over the counter, not by prescription. The pharmacy were extremely reluctant to give it to me

• the doctor had warned me they might. The pharmacist advised me to be very cautious with it as it's so strong. It worked - extremely well, without going into detail. It's very strong and should only be given on a doctor's advice, definitely not administered casually in the way that one would give Calpol. I would find it hard to trust that childminder again to be honest.

I'm a childminder and I would never give a child any medication without permission from parents first. We have permission slips/forms that have to be signed for administration of any medication. I would be complaining about that, and probably remove my child from her setting.

That's out of order. I had a cm like this who used to overstep the mark with DS. She'd been giving him a multivitamin every day for over a year before she dropped it into conversation. I didn't mind but she should have asked if it was and checked if I was giving him vitamins instead of just doing what she wanted. I pulled him out after she gave him chloramphenicol eye drops without my consent. Her reasoning was that her ds had conjunctivitis - mine didn't. She said she was giving it just in case he caught it. That's not how chloramphenicol works.

Find other childcare op. This is not OK report her ASAP she will probably be doing this to other kids in her care. What if she was allergic to it? It's not prescribed o your dd and most importantly you didn't give consent.

You don’t need a prescription for babies.

@Comedycook maybe they'll send the police out on the blues and twos eh?

I work in childcare and had to give one of my charges piriton today, the paperwork involved is crazy even though mum has signed to say it can be used as and when. Mum also had to be phoned and informed too. Can’t even fathom what was going through your childminders head

Although she should have asked you first she was trying to help. It doesn't require prescription and is suitable from birth onwards so I would probably just ask that she notifies you in future before giving medication. Unless you consented to medication being given on your registration forms?

I have spoken to the HV about her constipation and she's been referred to a constipation clinic which her appointment is in a week's time.
I'm so annoyed as it says not to be given to children under 14 and can give them stomach pains as they become windy. If she had asked me I would have said not to give it her

If their stools are truly impacted you should be treating OP or else your child can end up in hospital.

Regardless, I agree the childminder shouldn’t have administered any medication without your consent. My DC had movicol for a very long period of time and it was a complex medical plan, in terms of frequency and strength of treatment.