Alternating paracetamol and ibuprofen in toddler

[cremedelacreme]

Hi

DD, 2 yo, has a sore throat, blocked nose and possibly an ear infection. She says her ear hurts.
Anyway, she's in pain and at 8pm I gave her one 5ml spoon of paracetamol (Calpol). She woke up 15 mins ago howling, so I gave one 5ml spoon of ibuprofen because I thought Calpol was only every 6 hours, but it turns out I could've given it after 4.

Anyway, question is, when can I give her another dose, and of what? I'm usually on the ball with this but a combination of pregnancy brain, fatigue, and over-reading of recent threads about using meds to bring down fever (which isn't relevant in this case, obviously, it's about pain) means that my brain is confused!

Sorry if this has been asked before but I've searched and couldn't find an answer to this specific question.

Yes you can use together - confirmation here

the next dose would be calpol as long as it is at least 4 hours since the last calpol. You could then give ibuprofen a couple of hours after that as long as it is at least 4 hours since the last dose of ibuprofen. Check the box as to the maximum doses per 24 hours as ibuprofen can normally be given less often than calpol.

Usually Ibuprofen is 3 times a day and Calpol 4 times. If I am alternating them I tend to do it 4 hourly so I tend to do:
8pm Calpol
12am Ibuprofen
4am Calpol
8am Ibuprofen
12pm Calpol
4pm Ibuprofen

Which gives the max Ibuprofen and slightly less than max Calpol.

The other thing to be wary of is giving Ibuprofen on an empty stomach. If I give DD it on an empty stomach it makes her sick.

Thanks everyone. Panic over. We had a bit of a disturbed night but didn't need to give any further meds - just the 8pm calpol and 12am ibuprofen. Fingers crossed for a better night tonight - what with my awful restless legs and SPD, I'm keen to have my bed to myself tonight!