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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to give my baby medised?

59 replies

KorkiiEffenkrakers · 07/05/2010 20:45

Need some advice really. I don't really like Medised and have only ever given it to DS1 once but DS2 (7 months) has had a bad head cold (no temperature) for the last 3 days and is waking up about once an hour HOWLING with rage and misery. DH went to Boots today but they said there are no decongestants that they can sell for under twos.

He is pale with red eyes and utterly miserable.

I know there are new guidelines on medised too but don't know what they are. AIBU to not medicate him as I don't like the stuff or should I put his comfort first?

BTW he is sleeping in his chair to try to stop all the muscus blocking him up but it's not doing the trick.

OP posts:
wonka · 07/05/2010 20:55

Alobas and vicks. Steam and warm wet flannals. don't sedate a baby who is already struggling to breath please.
Medised is now not to be used in under 2 years old!

alicet · 07/05/2010 20:55

I gave it to my ds2 under 2. The guidelines were not less than 6 months with ds1 and they changed in between.

The reason for the change in guidelines was not because there is anything inherently wrong with medised but because there were a couple of tragic child deaths because their parents had given another medication containing paracetamol / decongestant as well as the medised. The change in recommedations was to avoid this.

So as long as you don't give it with any other medication no worries.

I also found that squirting a small amount of water up his nose with a syringe helped - he hated it but it cleared the snot and he could then feed properly - I think some of the waking up frequently is becauase they can't feed properly and are hungry.

Good luck x

MrsJamin · 07/05/2010 20:56

7 months is very young when the guidelines is now 6 years - not sure why your pharmacist said 2 years. I wouldn't give it just for a cold, it's a sedative for goodness sake.

alicet · 07/05/2010 20:57

wonka nowhere did the op say her baby was struggling to breathe - just that he was struggling with being bunged up. NOT the same thing at all.

If he was struggling to breathe I would agree totally with you but that isn't what the op said

ConservativesShouldWinSurely · 07/05/2010 20:58

Medised currently won't be sold for use by children under 6. Previously it was under 2, and before that under 3 months.
Supposedly this is because it isn't effective , parents were giving this and paracetamol and thus overdosing their children, and some children do react badly to it.

That said, it was fine for my dd 4 years ago from 3 months, so I can see no reason not to use it on my other younger children, and I thus would if necessary.

There are some other things that you can try though. Olbas oil on his bed, a karvol vaporisor in his room, and a 'breathe easy'/vicks type stick on his chest (can't remember the exact age for the latter, but think it's pretty young).

Original poster
KorkiiEffenkrakers · 07/05/2010 20:58

He has been awake 4 times in the last hour and twenty minutes. I don't think he is hungry, he is just a very irritable/sensitive baby and he really wants to be asleep. I feel really sorry for him

OP posts:
cupcakesandbunting · 07/05/2010 20:58

When my DS (who is 3 on sunday) was a baby, I could give him Medised after 9 months. Then the age was changed to 2 years. Now it's 7. Boots couldn't give me a reason for why they couldn't sell it to me any more but I was mightily cheesed off because it was the only medicine that really helped my DS during some of the nastier fevers he had as a baby.

I know some mums buy it on the sly and give their small ones just a teeny dose. I wouldn't because even though I'm sure it's fine (speculation is that they stopped selling it because irresponsible parents were using it to sedate their LOs (shock)not because of any long-term damage it might cause) I wouldn't want to risk it.

So I can't say whether YABU or not. Unless anyone knows better than I do or has other info' then I'd say it's up to you. Sorry I can't help more and I hope DS feels better soon.

waitingforbedtime · 07/05/2010 20:58

No dont give him it.

BelleDameSansMerci · 07/05/2010 20:59

The guidance now is that it shouldn't be given to children under 6. I think, probably, you should speak with health care professional or ring NHS Direct. I believe Medised can be prescribed, etc.

Completely understand why you're considering it though. Could you perhaps give Calpol and try some Olbas for Children on the bedding?

HellBent · 07/05/2010 20:59

I have never given either of my kids medised, what is wrong with a bit of olbas oil FFS guidelines are there for a reason

alicet · 07/05/2010 20:59

I don't get everyones big hysteria about a sedative. It is not being given as a sedative - it is being given as a docongestant that has the side effect of a sedative.

It is giving your baby something to help their miserable symptoms and make them feel better - something I would do for myself if I had a cold.

By the way I can understand totally why people might choose not to give this to their children. That is a personal choice. But I think too much is made of this being a sedative and it being only a cold - why medicate? Beacuse they are miserable and unhappy€, and it can help, thats why

Original poster
KorkiiEffenkrakers · 07/05/2010 20:59

BTW he isn't stuggling to breathe. He is filling up with mucus and then snorting and waking himself up. It is going to be another hard night in our house ...

OP posts:
CatIsSleepy · 07/05/2010 20:59

it contains decongestant, that's why people give it for colds.

i gave it to dd1 from 2 months, the guidelines were different then

HellBent · 07/05/2010 21:00

Why did you post in AIBU unless you wanted a fight?

pocketmonster · 07/05/2010 21:00

I used it for my youngest DD and it is great when they are bunged up and generally unwell - really helps them sleep. But when she was 7 months it was recommended for little ones, apparently they won't sell it to you for under 2's now, but I don't know why.

Personally I would still use it, but you have to weigh up the risk for yourself.

JustAnotherManicMummy · 07/05/2010 21:01

The guideline is 2 years old. You can be perscribed Medised by a doctor for children under 2yo. alicet is quite right about the guideline changes.

It has an anti-histamine in it which acts as a decongestant. If he is miserable as you say I would give it to him go to the GP and get it perscribed. But you must not give any other medicine with it. A paracetemol over dose could be fatal.

FWIW it doesn't have a sedating effect with all children.

Original poster
KorkiiEffenkrakers · 07/05/2010 21:01

I won't give him to him if the new guidelines are over 6 - I wouldn't take a risk with his health but he is roaring his head off in misery (DH is in with him now) and it is hard to listen to it.

OP posts:
EldonAve · 07/05/2010 21:02

I wouldn't give it if he doesn't have a temp

Original poster
KorkiiEffenkrakers · 07/05/2010 21:02

Hellbent, don't want a fight (am too tired). I just needed a quick response as he is crying right now.

OP posts:
JustAnotherManicMummy · 07/05/2010 21:03

x-posted with about 10 people. My apologies I am out of date

Meglet · 07/05/2010 21:03

My GP has prescribed it for DD. He says its better than pumping them full of anti-biotics when they have a nasty cold and covered in yellow/green snot.

If your baby is still ill on monday you could go to your gp.

melpomene · 07/05/2010 21:05

Medised can also have a side effect of causing hallucinations. I gave some to my 4yo dd (we bought it before the rules changed and I didn't realise it was no longer recommended for under 6's.) She hardly slept at all for the rest of the night and kept talking about how there was an eye on the ceiling...

cupcakesandbunting · 07/05/2010 21:05

There's actually antihistimine in Medised which makes children drowsy, so it's not actually a sedative proper.

Just loving all of the MNers saying try Olbas oil. I'm sure that since OP hates Medised that she is considering it as a last resort and Olbas oil is shit. You have to be able to inhale it through your nose in the first place which is very tricky if your nose is so bunged up you can't actually breathe through it. Stop making OP feel bad. It's horrid having a distressed baby that just wants sleep. I would have considered it too.

alicet · 07/05/2010 21:06

I would try it in your situation to be honest. Because of the reason behind the guideline change I personally don't see that as risking his health as long as you give no other medication.

If you are still uneasy about it then don't give it as it has to be a decision you are comfortable with.

If you don't want to give medised I think it would be worth trying simple calpol - paracetamol will help some of the miserable cold symptoms and may take away a bit of his distress.

Good luck

Feelingsensitive · 07/05/2010 21:07

If I were in your position I would give him a small dose but only if he hadnt had anything else. I woudl also use olbas oil and prepare myself for a long night ahead. I hope he is better soon.

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