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Original poster

HATE baby paracetamol in the UK

91 replies

grey12 · 12/07/2021 09:47

DC3 was born in the UK and, let me tell you: Paracetamol here is terrible!!!!!

She has been unwell these days and I can't give her any paracetamol at all!! Spend 30 min giving her the medicine with her crying and screaming only for her to throw up everything afterwards EnvySad

We used to live in the middle east and DC1 and 2 used to have a more concentrated paracetamol in a dropper. It was soooooo much better!!!

I have spoken to Calpol and they just gave me some BS about giving the wrong dosage Hmm so... Calpol, what dosage of paracetamol did my baby get last night??!!! Should I give her another 5ml?! Or less?? What dosage is correct after they throw up? Should I spend another 30 min of crying and screaming?! Angry

I'm obviously pissed!! My baby is unwell and I can't do anything about it!!! Angry

OP posts:
BungleandGeorge · 12/07/2021 11:40

The one with sugar in tastes better. And if ibuprofen is suitable for her that has a milder taste. Paracetamol has a bitter taste which may be triggering the vomiting. As above do you actually need to give her anything?
Dropper bottles are notoriously inaccurate, it’s really difficult to count the drops accurately. What happens if an extra drop or two slips out? You’re then giving the child an overdose

maddiemookins16mum · 12/07/2021 11:43

Put it in fromage frais or ice cream.

BungleandGeorge · 12/07/2021 11:44

Yes you can buy paracetamol suppositories from a pharmacy, be aware they are expensive though and most GPS won’t prescribe for short term use, you’d be expected to buy them.

meow1989 · 12/07/2021 11:47

Put a bit in the side of her cheek and blow on her face quickly, it will make her swallow.

2.5mls (I think this is the dose) is not a large amount of liquid, can you pop some on a dummy to give? Don't give the 6+, there's too much room for error with the concentration.

Or there are suppositories available from the pharmacy.

User135792468 · 12/07/2021 11:49

Get suppositories. So much better and no tears taking it or risk of throwing it up.

Hallyup6 · 12/07/2021 11:50

@welshweasel

Both my kids love calpol! You can buy the 6+ and give a smaller amount.
I do this. So much easier. My kids hate Calpol though.
Original poster
grey12 · 12/07/2021 11:52

@BungleandGeorge

The one with sugar in tastes better. And if ibuprofen is suitable for her that has a milder taste. Paracetamol has a bitter taste which may be triggering the vomiting. As above do you actually need to give her anything? Dropper bottles are notoriously inaccurate, it’s really difficult to count the drops accurately. What happens if an extra drop or two slips out? You’re then giving the child an overdose
You don't give drops, you give the whole dropper! Or half a dropper. I think it's 5 times more concentrated so it's 1ml instead of 5
OP posts:
Gunpowder · 12/07/2021 11:52

One of mine had to take disgusting antibiotics at that age. A nurse showed me this method: prepare the medicine in the syringe. Lie the baby on your lap with their head by your knees and legs round your tummy. Stick the syringe into the side of their cheek. Squirt in the calpol. Straight away close their mouth and stroke under their chin with a finger and sit them up. This makes them swallow. Give them a little bit of breastmilk/diluted juice/a chocolate button depending on how relaxed you are about sugar. Yes it can be a bit stressful but it’s better than it taking half an hour and sometimes giving medicine can be really important.

Original poster
grey12 · 12/07/2021 11:54

@Gunpowder

One of mine had to take disgusting antibiotics at that age. A nurse showed me this method: prepare the medicine in the syringe. Lie the baby on your lap with their head by your knees and legs round your tummy. Stick the syringe into the side of their cheek. Squirt in the calpol. Straight away close their mouth and stroke under their chin with a finger and sit them up. This makes them swallow. Give them a little bit of breastmilk/diluted juice/a chocolate button depending on how relaxed you are about sugar. Yes it can be a bit stressful but it’s better than it taking half an hour and sometimes giving medicine can be really important.
I kind of do that but with her sitting on my lap instead.

The blow technique doesn't work anymore, she's grown out of itSad

OP posts:
DearTeddyRobinson · 12/07/2021 11:55

Get some suppositories from the pharmacy.
Or adjust your technique- squirting it in bit by bit is bonkers, slide the syringe in to the side of the mouth, beside the tongue. Squirt it to the back of the mouth, it will go right down as they can't help swallowing. I used to keep the syringe in for a couple of seconds so they had to swallow and couldn't spit.

Boomclaps · 12/07/2021 11:57

We use the Lloyds/numark/Morrison’s own with a spoon it’s cherry. Dd won’t touch calpol
Will take orange neurofen for kids.

Couldhavebeenme2 · 12/07/2021 12:02

Holy crap, dtop by drop over 30 mins with a reluctant squirming baby/toddler?

Nah, 2.5ml all in one go, get it over and done with.

NeepNeepNeep · 12/07/2021 12:31

I agree drop by drop over 30 mins is prolonging the agony but would quickly do into cheek giving them a chance to swallow each squirt.

boringcreation · 12/07/2021 12:42

Also please don't give babies Nurofen, it's so bad for their livers

BungleandGeorge · 12/07/2021 12:43

@boringcreation

Also please don't give babies Nurofen, it's so bad for their livers
What are your medical qualifications and evidence for that?
Reallyreallyborednow · 12/07/2021 12:46

Also please don't give babies Nurofen, it's so bad for their livers

You may want to check how paracetamol and ibuprofen are metabolised and which one affects the liver.

What exactly to you mean by “bad for” ?

Horehound · 12/07/2021 12:47

Just mix it Into a yoghurt ffs or put it on a spoon.
It's hardly a lot of liquid when they are used to full bottles of milk. Jeez..

Horehound · 12/07/2021 12:48

@Reallyreallyborednow

Also please don't give babies Nurofen, it's so bad for their livers

You may want to check how paracetamol and ibuprofen are metabolised and which one affects the liver.

What exactly to you mean by “bad for” ?

Actually my Dr told me I could give DS calpol every day for the rest of his life and it would t harm him, but nurofen is stronger on the body and would..
Reallyreallyborednow · 12/07/2021 12:56

Actually my Dr told me I could give DS calpol every day for the rest of his life and it would t harm him, but nurofen is stronger on the body and would

“Stronger on the body”?

Paracetamol and ibuprofen are different drugs, and act differently, and are metabolised differently by different organs.

A person’s medical history will indicate which is best for them and which should be given in any particular event. One is not stronger than the other, they have completely different effects and are not comparable.

Many paediatricians consider brufen to be the safer drug as it has a bigger therapeutic margin- paracetamol is very finely balanced between safe and liver damage.

Horehound · 12/07/2021 13:06

I didn't say they were the same drug Confused I'm just stating the Dr advised that ibuprofen takes a stronger roll on the body. I assume the kidneys..
I asked them because I was having to give paracetamol and ibuprofen to DS when he really suffered with teething and it felt like we were giving him every does of both that we could and I wanted reassuring it was ok.

MsMoppet · 12/07/2021 13:10

You're so right. We had the same problem with Calpol when mine were babies. Adol drops so much easier.

LizzieSiddal · 12/07/2021 13:19

Holy crap, dtop by drop over 30 mins with a reluctant squirming baby/toddler?

I agree! No wonder she’s getting stressed and crying! Don’t give it drop by drop, 2.5 mls is a very small amount, just do it quickly or mix it into food. Trying to do it over 30 mins, again and again is just torture for her and you!

Kotatsu · 12/07/2021 13:21

OP, I agree. I had my first in Canada, and the rare times he had a fever it was a darn site easier getting the dose of baby Tylenol down him than the amount of horrifically sweet Calpol/boots own brand (although I suppose that at least means they'll only take it if they feel so bad they're desperate)

I understand all the issues, I really do, but for me, lower volumes, carefully doled out is better.

MyDcAreMarvel · 12/07/2021 13:26

Don't give the 6+, there's too much room for error with the concentration
.not really you just literally half the dose.

Chunkymenrock · 12/07/2021 13:27

"I'm obviously pissed!" Well put the booze away then! Grin