GP just told me to give my 3 week old calpol - opinions please?

[mad4mybaby]

he has a cold but i rang to ask what i could give for a cough as it was making him horse and can hear it on his chest. He ust said put him in a hot steamy bathroom et etc and use saline drops, none of which will help

he said give calpol to help 'head cold' he is 3 week today.. would you? It certainly isnt going to help the cough

Can be given if prescribed by a doctor. They certainly give it to babies under 8 weeks in hospitals. Some maternity units are getting paediatricians to prescribe it for babies who have been born by suction to help reduce the liklihood of a headache.

A hot steamy bathroom may loosen any gunk and make it easier to bring up - saline drops will stimulate sneezing so he will sneeze gunk out.

Over the counter, Calpol is not permitted for any child under 2 months, and that should only be a 1 off dose (usually due to immunisations at 8 weeks) until they are 3 months old. Does your GP realise how old your DS is? Maybe he thinks he is 3 months, not 3 weeks.

My DD was given Calpol at a day old whilst we were still in hospital, but it was a tiny dose (about 1ml I think) which was based on her weight.

I would not give it to a 3 week old unless it was specifically prescribed by a doctor and administed by a qualified person.

If you do give it then I'd suggest half a dose or for a second opinion from your GP you could give NHS Direct a ring. 0845 4647

i would not giev to such a young baby without a fever or obvious pain. hot steam and saline drops more likely to be of help than calpol in this instance, and deffo won't help a cough

obviously it is ok to give on medical advice, but not perhaps necessary in this case

Cross posts with JollyPirate - that is exactly why DD was given it - 3 x failed ventouse. She had a very, very sore head, poor wee soul!

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ok another Q doc said if he starts to have a fit ring doc, he asleep in my arms and arms and legs are both twitching madly...hes just dreaming yes??

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hmm 3 week old chesty cough temp twitching - I am Gp would want to see this baby if only to reassure I am afraid!

I think if he has a very high temp I would give a half dose of calpol to help bring it down, but if it is just a cold without a fever then no. My DTs both had bad colds at this age and I didn't give them any medication. I did suck the snot out for them with a nasal decongester thing though.

As christiana said, in hospital they do give higher doses. My DS2 was in hospital last week with RSV and they gave him "six plus" medicine (ie for children age 6 and above). I pointed it out as he is only 11 months and they said they give them stronger ones so they can give them less .

what does it look like when they have a fit? He isnt doing it anymore, but has done it before.. you cant stop him doing it

Sorry managed to miss that he has a cough. Just keep a very close eye on him. RSV very common at this time of year and he is very young. Is he breathing rapidly / shallow?

whats RSV?? his breathing is all over the place at the moment but is asleep but it has been since hes been born, put down to newborn breathing?

temp ok, 36.9

Hello here is a link for you. It is about bronchiolitis which is an RSV (respiratory syncytial virus). Have a look at the checklist nearer to the bottom.

Am sure he is ok, little babies do twitch a lot when they sleep . At least he has a normal temp.

whats babys weight? that should be an important factor too

I'm also a GP and am with macdoodle on this one

he is 8lb2. What, you think i should take to the doc? You mean just to check its a cold?

Yes.

Probably is just a cold, but your baby is only 3 weeks old and you have stated that his 'breathing is all over the place'. Small babies are prone to getting bronchiolitis, and can deteriorate quite quickly.

No GP worth their salt would mind scanning an eye over a baby so small with breathing difficulties. Even if it is just a cold,, they can then advise you and reassure you if appropriate.

ill see how he is tonight then ring in th am, unless he gets worse obv

Even with my sturdy 11 month old he deteriorated v quickly. It wasn't v nice and he was ambulanced to hospital with an oxygen mask on his face. You can call your out of hours GP and they might even come and see you if they think he needs to be seen, rather than having to take him out in zero degrees.

Honestly I am sure it is just a cold but if the two ladies who are GPs on this thread think he needs to be checked over it's prob not worth the risk.

I would take him to the gp as well, my 4 week old had bronchiolitis. It does start as a nasty cough but if he doesn't wake easy then call NHS.

I was told that it was days 7-10 that are the worst for this, so how long has he had the cough/

he got the cold maybe yesterday or day before, the cough came today and he is hoarse when he is crying, been in and out the doctors so much as he also has reflux and seeing paediatrician monday, poor thing

If he does cause you concern please do go straight to A&E calling as you travel in to alert them.

It is always better to err on the side of caution.

your all worrying me now! I thought it was just a cold, the gp sounded a bit blase about it on phone, just to ride it out sort of thing..

Ring NHS Direct if you are at all concerned in the night - they are great and will get a doctor to ring you if they think there is any cause for concern.