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Original poster

Urgent! What to do about 9wk old's temperature?

21 replies

florenceuk · 19/12/2004 22:19

DD seems to have caught my bug, and has hacking cough and temperature all day. Last I measured it it was 39C - at what point should I get really worried and try and take it down? Would it be a problem if I used calpol? She will sleep if held, has had difficulty feeding because of stuffed up nose but is not listless - just really upset.

OP posts:

hoxtonturkey · 19/12/2004 22:20

i'd ring nhs direct i think florence, or your gp out of hours number. calpol can be given after the baby injections i think, at 8 weeks, so presumably the dose given on the box would be ok for your dd. do get a proper medical opinion though. hope she feels better soon.

Frizbethereindeer · 19/12/2004 22:20

Um not sure is she a bit young for calpol, I'd check with NHS direct.

WideWebWitch · 19/12/2004 22:21

I think I'd give Calpol Florenceuk and keep her cool ish. Hope someone more knowledgeable comes along. You could call NHS Direct.

pixiefish · 19/12/2004 22:21

Personally I wouldn't give calpol at less than 12 weeks without being told to do so by a doctor.

Personally I'd also phone the gp/nhs direct just to check as your dd is so young-

WideWebWitch · 19/12/2004 22:22

here or 0845 4647

Hulababy · 19/12/2004 22:22

Think the dose for after injections is very tiny - something like 2.5ml every 6 hours. BUT I am not sure. Better to ring NHS Direct or GP emergency number to check.

Can you use things like Karvol to help with her stuffy nose? Is that okay when so young?

WideWebWitch · 19/12/2004 22:23

OK, I'll bow to everyone else's better judgement FlorenceUk, call NHS and see what they say about Calpol.

popsycal · 19/12/2004 22:23

i would ring your out of hours emergency number 0 they are excellent at even giving advise usually..and are always happy to see babies

WideWebWitch · 19/12/2004 22:23

I would keep her coolish though while you're waiting to see if you can give Calpol.

pixiefish · 19/12/2004 22:26

but i would phone now- before anyone goes to bed- just for advice- they may advise seeing her- better safe florence adn better to phone now than 3 in the morning IYSWIM.

sobernoel · 19/12/2004 22:38

Yes I'd get her down to one layer of clothing and blow on her wrists til you get to speak to NHS Direct of the GP. Hope she's better very soon.

Original poster

florenceuk · 19/12/2004 23:26

Thanks everyone. NHS Direct refused to say if calpol OK, but doctor says it is - so time for the pink stuff...

OP posts:

WideWebWitch · 20/12/2004 06:21

How is she today Florenceuk? I woke up wondering about her.

Original poster

florenceuk · 20/12/2004 08:37

Thanks for asking - both a bit frazzled today but not life-threatening. Still got temp and cough, altho calpol seems to have stopped the moaning, can't put her down! She slept from 12 to 6 on me though woke up each time i tried to slide her off. Will see doctors today - just waiting for line to open up. Still a bit hot, calpol just seems to have taken the edge off but not worked completely.

OP posts:

nailpolish · 20/12/2004 08:43

hi florence

what a shame about your dd. have you tried raising her mattress a little at night? i put a rolled up blanket under the mattress and it keeps their head up and seems to ease the congestion. also what i found great was a damp flannel with vicks vapo rub smeared on it over the radiator overnight.

to keep her temp down you can tepid sponge her. a temp of 39 is worrying though, and i would keep an eye on that.

calpol is not really meant to be given to under 12 week olds except for before 8 wk injections, and 4-6 hrs after. karvol directly used in not either, although i dont think they can do any real harm, if given in tiny doses.

hope the dr is helpful, and that she is better soon xxx

Original poster

florenceuk · 20/12/2004 16:59

thanks everyone. Doctor seemed completely in agreement on the calpol, so I reckon they should change the guidelines??? I am being very cautious htough and ahve given 2.5ml at six-hrly intervals. Nothing obviously wrong with her apart from her hacking cough, so I reckon it is just a cold - but will keep dosing up with the calpol tonight.

OP posts:

sobernoel · 20/12/2004 17:03

Hope she picks up soon, it's horrible when they're ill. Thanks for letting us know

WideWebWitch · 20/12/2004 17:10

Hope she's better soon florenceuk. It's worse when they're so small I know.

KathH · 20/12/2004 17:43

hi - am very confused. Spoke to my GP today as 11 1/2 week old has a stinker of a cold and a temperature. She did all these calculations based on his last known weight and was very reluctant for me to give him calpol - she said obviously my choice at the end of the day but couldn't recommend it and that i should only give him a tiny bit - roll on the summer!

Original poster

florenceuk · 20/12/2004 17:53

Kath, nobody asked me her weight! On the basis of the advice I got today, I would just go ahead and give the calpol - it is a very small dose anyway.

OP posts:

heavenlyghost · 20/12/2004 18:46

Hi floreneuk ...
Sorry your DD is poorly ....
Both mine got poorly under the age of 12 weeks and were hospitalised as there was a worry about meningitis. DS was 6 weeks when he was in Hospital and the doctors had no hesitation at all about giving him paracetamol ... when a temp needs bringing down (and stripping off hasne't helped) that is the only way to do it.
The same happened with DD at 8 weeks (4.5 years later funnily enough) and this time I had already given her the paracetamol before we even went to the doctors.
I hope your DD feels better soon!

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