Fuck, I’ve given my 14 month old too many doses of calpol!

[DinoSn0re]

In a bleary, extremely tired state, I have managed to give my DD 5 doses of calpol instead of 4. Timed at 6pm yesterday, 11pm, 5:30am, 10am and 2:30pm. So 5 doses of 5ml instead of 4. She just had another 5ml at 9pm (though she threw half of it up just now) before I counted back the doses again and realised my fuck up. I feel so, so guilty and just like the worst mum, I’m waiting on a call back from
NHS direct now, does anyone have any reassuring words for me?

Yes. I took one of mine to the doctor a couple of years back. He explained, I can't remember what, about being able to up the recommended dose. I never did but I'm sure your wee one will be fine.

It’ll be fine, don’t worry. The doses have a big margin of safety.

I think it's ok. You spaced them all out properly which gives time for the paracetamol to metabolise.

Don't beat yourself up. We all do such things in moments of tiredness. I'm sure I've done it before.

Overdose with paracetamol is a problem if you take a whopping big dose in one go (she hasn’t) or too much everyday for a prolonged period (she hasn’t).

She will be absolutely fine.

To be honest with you it wouldn't have occurred to me to even count the ones from the evening before.

Switch to neurofen now if she still needs pain relief and try not to worry.

It'll be fine. Here's the old doses, nhs said they wouldn't have caused harm.

www.nhs.uk/news/pregnancy-and-child/child-paracetamol-dosages-updated/

Dose for 14 months was 5ml-10ml up to four times, would have been more than you've given.

I only see that as 4 doses in 24 hours because the last dose was in the next 24 hour period. It is ok to give ibuprofen between doses of paracetamol, and you will be less likely to give too much paracetamol if you do this. Also ibuprofen seems to give 6 hours of relief from fever and paracetamol only 4 hours per dose.

The recommended dose is much lower that the actual maximum.

6pm yesterday, 11pm, 5:30am, 10am and 2:30pm. So 5 doses of 5ml instead of 4. She just had another 5ml at 9pm

I would have counted 6pm and 11pm as yesterdays doses and then 5.30am, 10am, 2.30pm and 9pm as today's doses. I wouldn't worry at all tbh

My 18 month old climbed on a chair walked along kitchen counter, stood on a bread bin, got the bottle from the top shelf and opened child proof lid. She then drank the lot.

Dr said “oh well she will sleep tonight.”

I wouldnt worry about that.

When ds2 was a toddler he managed to get hold of the calpol bottle and downed 3/4 of it before I could wrestle it off him (bad mum). They measured his paracetamol levels in a&e and he was way, way under the limit for dangerous levels.

You’re doing the right thing getting it checked out. It’s easily done. They can calculate it based on her weight, I’m sure it will be fine but I’d definitely take advice.

It's fine

She will be OK, it was a one off, don’t beat yourself up. Over the counter dosages are lower than the max.

But so much mis information on this thread. You calculated it the right way, it’s 4 doses in a rolling 24 hr so “yesterday’s” do count. You should leave at least 4 hours between doses, preferably 6. Ibufopen is 3 doses in 24. At least 6hrs preferably 8.

Also paracetamol dosage is done on liver age not weight so it doesn’t matter if you have a big/ heavy 2 year old for example the dosage is the same as a skinny one

Our paed prescribes calpol by weight. Gives higher maxes as my kids are made of lead and the consumer maxes are Based on featherweights.

Then your paed is going against NICE guidelines tabithas the rules changed a few years ago.

We did this with my son following surgery I rang the surgical ward and they told us to go in so they could check his blood levels, we didn't as we were completely drained and we couldn't face going back. Bad parents! We left 24 hours between the next dose and went to the hospital a week later for dressings removal. The nurse then also gave him too much calpol. Thankfully he hadn't had the daily dose by that point so again we had to wait 24 hours between doses. It's so easily done when you are medicating into the night and your child has had calpol since the previous morning.

I hope they're okay, I'm sure it will be fine but the dosage limit is there for a reason so pp saying they wouldn't count the previous days dose is very worrying. It's 24 hours from first dose given.

Pfft... If she'd drank the whole bottle, worry. But one extra dose in a 24 hour period is neither here or there.

Oh my friend did that! She called 111 and they said the same as above, not to worry, margin of error etc. Easily done.

My son ate a few multivitamins and vomited orange everywhere

Thank you everyone for your replies. I get really anxious about DD health as she is very small for her age. NHS direct were not particularly concerned and told us to speak to GP in the morning during our pre-booked appointment. GP needed to check DD anyway for illness and said not to worry about overdosing her as there is a good margin for error. So all was okay, and I was probably over reacting.