TO CALPOL or NOT TO CALPOL

Tea71 · 2008-02-19T13:17:46+00:00

Hello Just wondered what other parents do about administering Calpol. Initially, I only gave my 8 month old DD calpol when she had a fever or was obviously in discomfort from illness. However, health professionals (ie my GP) told me to give her calpol every time she is ill on a regular basis. I'm hesitating to do this as when I have a cold, I don;t automatically take paracetamol for it unless I'm in pain. Also, my DD seems to be catching something or another every other week, so if I gave her calpol every time she had an ailment - minor or otherwise - she'd be drinking calpol all the time!! Just wondered what other MNetters do???

StealthPolarBear · 19/02/2008 13:20

I only give him it if we think he's in pain, and we gave it automatically after his injections. We've never had to give more than one dose.

LittleMissNorty · 19/02/2008 13:23

Same here - only if necessary. I only take medicines if necessary so extend the same rules to DD. She sniffles her way through her large number of colds without calpol...

MegBusset · 19/02/2008 13:24

I used to give it to DS at every slight sniffle but now I don't bother unless he is obviously in discomfort or teething... if he has got a bad cold then I might give it at bedtime.

Original poster

Tea71 · 19/02/2008 13:27

That's what I would do - only give if I think she's in pain.
But why would GP say to give on regular basis - every 4 hours?

OP posts:

donbean · 19/02/2008 13:28

as and when needed realy.

like you say though, it seems that every day there is some thing going on that would justify the need for calpol.

I had a discussion with a pharmasist at my work about it and i voiced that i was concerned that i was perhaps over medicating my son.

she herself had a 4 year old at that time and she said that she considered it a good day if she only gave one dose of calpol in any 24 hour period.

she said...if they need it, give it.
i follow that as i know my child and i can distinguish very accurately when he is suffering from discomfort or pain.

coastalmum · 19/02/2008 13:29

I only use Calpol when temp gets really high, I believe temps are bodies way of fighting infection.

I was shocked when I started working in a nursery how many children appear to get a daily dose, 'just in case'!!!!!!!! I've also be on a training course where we have discussed the children in our settings who were Calpol addicts.

MegBusset · 19/02/2008 13:29

Perhaps he was trying to say that you could give her Calpol up to every four hours. Not that you should?

Thefearlessfreak · 19/02/2008 13:31

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FunkyGlassSlipper · 19/02/2008 13:33

My DD2 has had masses of calpol and nurofen lately following mmr jab and a cold. However, in a normal situation I would give calpol if she had a high temp or was in obvious discomfort from teething ie, very red cheeks, sore bottom, screeching. I wouldnt just give it for a runny nose or if she was a bit grumpy

PotPourri · 19/02/2008 13:41

I only give if a temperature or if I KNOW that dc is in pain. My DD1 had febrile convulsions - due to sky high temperatures, so I reserve calpol and ibuprofen for when her temperature is up. I woudl be scared that it would stop working, or damage her insides if I used it any more than necessary. She has been on constant calpol/ibuprofen for 10 days at a time several times already in her short life - so I try to avoid using it where possible

In fact, I was a bit hippy dippy before her first seizure and didn't believe in giving it at all. I kind of stick to that with DD2 who does not suffer from temperature problems like DD1 in the day time, but don't take any chances at night if she has a temperature at bedtime.

nickytwotimes · 19/02/2008 13:43

DS - 18 mhs- get ccalpol or infant ibuprofen if he is hot due to illness or is teething and showing discomfort. People can be cautious about using it but I use the rule of thumb-would I take it if I was feeling like him!

blueshoes · 19/02/2008 13:46

There are days when I am giving Calpol round the clock (fever), then weeks go by when I give nothing.

For ds, he is a baby. If I suspect but not sure whether or not he is in pain, I give it.

My dcs' nursery does NOT give Calpol on a preventative basis - they will refuse even if I asked them to. Their policy is clear - child must have a fever of 39 and then only with parental consent. So no Calpol for teething, though they will administer homeopathic teething remedies.

coastalmum · 19/02/2008 13:55

Our nursery policy is not to give Calpol in any circumstances. One mum found a way to sneak it in, she mixed in with her daughters juice in her lunch box, only discovered when the juice was spilt one day and the staff smelt that distinctive Calpol smell. When challenged she said she did it every day 'just in case' . Needless to say the matter was reported.

Most parents are very sensible, just a few who dose to extreme.

PotPourri · 19/02/2008 14:10

OMG - I am really shocked by the smuggling it in!

doggiesayswoof · 19/02/2008 14:17

No calpol in dd's nursery either.

She is 3 now and I give calpol if she has a temp or a really bad cold - ie I ask myself "if I felt like that, would I take paracetamol?" and act accordingly. I have been known to give the odd dose at bedtime if she is hot and croaky/stuffed up because I do find it helps her settle.

Having said that, at 8 months dd hardly ever had it. Only if her temp was very raised or she really seemed to be in pain. So the same as you are doing Tea71

To give it regularly every time they pick something up seems excessive and unnecessary imo.

Syrupent · 19/02/2008 14:19

In case of what????? Wonder if this mum takes parecetamol every day 'incase' she gets a headache and diocalm 'in case' of the runs... Isn't this how people get addicted to painkillers?

Lulumama · 19/02/2008 14:25

at putting it in juice for just in case!

i tend to use it if the DCs have high fever and are in pain.. otherwise, we ride it out with rest, fluids and cuddles..

it took me the best part of 2 years to finish a bottle of it.

i used teething powders and rings when the children were teething and saved meds for when they were really ill

and medised for when they have terrible colds for a night or two to help them sleep

i find the idea of giving it everyday a bit repugnant, if the child is well.

doggiesayswoof · 19/02/2008 14:29

Yes I agree lulumama.

I think some parents end up using it as a crutch - they are convinced their child "needs" it. My sister had a bad spell with her dd when she was having a lot of tantrums and her hv recommended calpol (wtf? I think the tantrums made her a bit hot ). It got to the point when my sis was dishing it out "just in case" her dd kicked off. Total placebo effect for both of them imo.

systemsaddict · 19/02/2008 14:40

Similarly, what do people think about giving children's ibuprofen regularly?

Ds (18 mo.) has recurrent ear infections which wake him up screaming in agonising pain in the early hours of the morning, but he's OK in the day normally. We were using calpol, but the last doctor we saw recommended that every time we suspect his ears, we give him children's ibuprofen at bedtime - both for pain relief and to keep the inflammation down overnight. Which worked brilliantly last time - about 3 weeks ago - but the screaming started again last night.

I can't believe giving nightly nurofen for a few days every few weeks is going to do his stomach much good in the long run .... But OTOH the pain seems awful (and I used to get recurrent ear infections as a child and well remember the agony of it), and the nurofen works, stops the nightly screaming, and even seemed to stop it perforating last time, for the first time ever. What would you do?

systemsaddict · 19/02/2008 14:40

Similarly, what do people think about giving children's ibuprofen regularly?

Ds (18 mo.) has recurrent ear infections which wake him up screaming in agonising pain in the early hours of the morning, but he's OK in the day normally. We were using calpol, but the last doctor we saw recommended that every time we suspect his ears, we give him children's ibuprofen at bedtime - both for pain relief and to keep the inflammation down overnight. Which worked brilliantly last time - about 3 weeks ago - but the screaming started again last night.

I can't believe giving nightly nurofen for a few days every few weeks is going to do his stomach much good in the long run .... But OTOH the pain seems awful (and I used to get recurrent ear infections as a child and well remember the agony of it), and the nurofen works, stops the nightly screaming, and even seemed to stop it perforating last time, for the first time ever. What would you do?

systemsaddict · 19/02/2008 14:40

sorry, don't know why that posted twice!

blueshoes · 19/02/2008 14:50

systemsaddict, I would medicate to relieve the pain, particularly the agonising pain you describe. If nurofen works, give it. Does your ds get stomach issues from frequent usage?

All I know about chronic pain management (in adults, I would add) is that you give pain relief by the ladder ie preventatively before the pain becomes unbearable. And so long as it is used to relieve pain, even regular doses of morphine will not cause addiction.

Perhaps ask the GP about longer term use of nurofen and possible side effects. But I would keep giving regular safe doses of nurofen and not hold back for no good reason.

coastalmum · 19/02/2008 14:54

If he needs and it works give it.

One word of caution ds2 has IBS, and I wasn't aware until after i gave it to him that he shouldn't have ibrophen. Apparently it can aggrevate the stomach.

You could always check with a pharmacist, I really rate the advice i received from them.

systemsaddict · 19/02/2008 15:03

He has no stomach issues yet, but I know nurofen is more likely to irritate the stomach than paracetamol, and can aggravate existing problems - not that ds has any at the moment as far as I know. Think you're right about getting advice from pharmacist or GP, thanks, will do.

Original poster

Tea71 · 19/02/2008 15:05

Good to know that not all parents give calpol their DCs with every little sniffle.
I was beginning to feel bad because I thought I might be 'depriving' her if she wasn't given calpol for every single cold or cough.

MegBusset - yes maybe that was what GP meant.

On the subject of colds and sniffles. Do parents keep their DCs at home every time they have a cold, cough or some other minor ailment which doesn't stop them from playing? Would you take your DC to a playgroup, for example, or keep your DC at home to prevent them from infecting other kids?

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