Paracetamol, or leave things to her own natural defences?

[OrangeSpacedust]

Just wondering what others do.

DD (almost 2) has a temperature and was sick once earlier this morning. She's sad, subdued and just sitting cuddled into me on the couch (giving me a nice heat, LOL!). It's obviously something, but nothing serious, at least for now, touch wood.

Would you give Calpol or similar just now? I'm inclined to just leave things as they are, keep giving her water and let her little body try and fight it - she's not crying in pain or anything. But I don't know if there's actually a good medical reason to leave her alone. Is it helping her to let her antibodies do the work - I mean, will that help her fight things in the future? Or is there absolutely no reason not to just give her a dose of something right now that will make her feel better?

I am a bit of a hippy tofu-wearing mum, but I don't want to do anything misguided just to keep things "natural" ... just want to do what's best for her, of course!

TIA!

If she's not uncomfortable then I would just leave it and see how it goes. Take her to the GP if you are concerned. Make sure she has alot to drink though.

The raised temperature is a side-effect of her natural defences, not a necessary part of it. So, giving her some paracetamol to reduce her temperature and help with the pain will not in any way reduce her natural immune system, or recude her ability to fight off the next thing.

Up to you if you think she needs something or not, but don't withhold it in order to "help" her immune system, because it won't.

I treat the child not the temperature so if she is fine and not in pain then I would leave well alone just offer lots of fluids and keep appropriately dressed.

Have you got a thermometer? If so keep a check on your DD's temperature. I'd definitely give calpol over 38.5. Actually mine get it at about 37.5 because their normal temp is just 36.5 by our thermometer (I run low too).

You could try a dose and see if it affects her behaviour. If she's more her normal self after 45 mins then IMO she needs it.

Thanks all, I caved and gave her calpol about 4pm, so obviously she was much perkier and brighter until she went to bed, but it was the calpol effect so I don't know if she's reeeeeeally better yet! Fingers crossed a nice long sleep will do the trick.

Homebird, I do have a thermometer but Buddha knows where it is. I know it's not exactly scientific but I'm afraid, for better or worse, I use the instrument known as the Back of The Hand.

Aah, Confuscious say back of hand useful for many parenting challenges . Glad she was perkier. Probably not better yet but the drugs obviously made her feel more human.