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Original poster

To give Calpol everyday?

249 replies

PricklesPick · 14/04/2021 09:06

May be a stupid question but I'm a bit of a paranoid FTM so I apologise!

Is it okay to give Calpol every day? (For a period anyway) whilst teething?

He is only just 3 months old but already has a tooth showing and seems in pain mostly during the evening.

He's been having Calpol every night before bed for about a week now but I'm just concerned about giving it too often. It's the only thing that seems to settle him down though.

OP posts:
bedtimeshoes · 14/04/2021 22:21

@Newname12

Try replacing the calpol with a spoon of sugar syrup.

There is evidence that the sweetness acts as a pain killer itself.

Wtf? Don't do this!!
ElsasFrozenVerucca · 14/04/2021 22:24

No use using sugar syrup but honey has antibacterial properties (not to be used in children under 1 though)

bedtimeshoes · 14/04/2021 22:28

@SnipSnapGiraffe

I know of a lady who gave her kids a dose of Calpol every night “to help them sleep”. She must have done it for a couple of years, and there was nothing wrong with the kids to warrant a dose of Calpol, let alone every night..., it was just a habit possible from when they were teething! Everyone was shocked when she told us she did this. I think her kids are fine, however it’s most definitely NOT recommended!
This is a form of abuse. Think of her children's liver trying to process the paracetamol every day. ☹️

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bakingdemon · 14/04/2021 22:42

It's so awful when they're teething badly and so sad about it - and then the awful poos and nappy rash too.

Best remedy we found was Anbesol on the gums, and a matchstick monkey teething toy.

DragonMuff · 14/04/2021 23:07

Fucking hell.

In a crowded field, this must be the most batshit thread I have ever come across on Mumsnet.

Of course it is ok to give calpol or nurofen if a baby is screaming in pain, as long as the recommended dose is exceeded, as confirmed by the medical professionals on this thread.

If people want to leave their child in pain rather than give them pain relief then that’s their decision but I am genuinely perplexed at all the posters who seem to think giving an age appropriate dose of Calpol is in any way controversial.

@PricklesPick I’m sorry your little one is having a rough time at the moment, but sounds like you’ve done a brilliant job at helping him through it Flowers

DragonMuff · 14/04/2021 23:08

*is NOT exceeded obviously

SnackSizeRaisin · 14/04/2021 23:12

I think it's shocking that your GP is leaving a baby screaming in pain for over a week. I would phone them back and ask to be seen tomorrow. You need to be sure there is nothing else causing pain, 3 months is very young, teething normally makes them niggly not in agony. At my surgery if you phone about a baby you get seen that day no questions asked.
Once they have checked him over its perfectly safe to give Calpol once daily for a week or 2 - but I would want to be sure there was nothing else going on first.

SeaTurtles92 · 14/04/2021 23:20

You need to get him seen by your GP tomorrow don't take no for an answer. Over a week is ridiculous for such a young baby.

Iminaglasscaseofemotion · 15/04/2021 04:11

@SunshineCake The issue is its nuts. Rubbing a babies delicate gums with a muslin will be rubbing some of the skin away to "toughen them up". For a start that could cause them even more pain, not to mention the other potential damage you could be doing to their little gums and teeth.

ivfbeenbusy · 15/04/2021 04:33

It's the only thing that seems to settle him down though.

Because you're drugging him 🤷‍♀️

New mum or not it's not really an excuse not to follow the guidelines on the calpol instructions?

cupofdecaf · 15/04/2021 04:57

I'm confused by the amount of people horrified that the baby is getting calpol. If an adult were in pain they'd not be refused pain relief because it's 'one of those things' and 'they'll get through it'.
I've seen so many posts about women being denied proper pain relief in labour or ignored by sexist doctors. Why the outrage for women but babies are fine to be left in pain?

mrssunshinexxx · 15/04/2021 05:13

@PricklesPick you need ANBESOL LIQUID
You can buy over the counter in boots it soaks into the guys therefore much better than the granules or gel as they just skip straight off and get swallowed

ivfbeenbusy · 15/04/2021 05:16

@cupofdecaf

It's not that the baby is getting calpol - absolutely nothing wrong with that - it's because the OP is ignoring the medication guidelines not to give for more than 3 days

polkadotpixie · 15/04/2021 05:24

My son suffered terribly with his teeth and had Calpol at night for a week or so whilst a stubborn one was breaking through on a few occasions

I wasn't drugging him to keep him quiet, I was trying to stop him suffering unnecessary pain and Anbesol etc wasn't working. I wouldn't suffer toothache without painkillers so why would I let my baby when I can help him?

He's lived to tell the tale anyway and I'd do it again if I had another DC if I felt it was necessary and in their best interests

DragonMuff · 15/04/2021 05:54

@ivfbeenbusy

It's the only thing that seems to settle him down though.

Because you're drugging him 🤷‍♀️

New mum or not it's not really an excuse not to follow the guidelines on the calpol instructions?

Wow you’re unpleasant. “Drugging” a baby by giving them age appropriate pain relief when in pain. As ridiculous a comment as it is nasty.
TrufflyPig · 15/04/2021 06:01

it's because the OP is ignoring the medication guidelines not to give for more than 3 days

The warning actually says 'do not use for longer than 3 days without consulting a doctor'. If OP has done so and the doctor suspects its down to teething she is doing no harm by giving an age appropriate dose at night when the pain is at its worst.

Seriously OP ignore the alarmist posts.

I have reported this thread due to the amount of medical misinformation on here.

TrufflyPig · 15/04/2021 06:06

Because you're drugging him

And you can bore off with this self righteous nonsense. Giving age appropriate pain relief is not 'drugging'.

I speak as someone who has witnessed paediatric patients who have been deliberately given inappropriate medication by their parents.

Spikeyball · 15/04/2021 06:06

It settles him down because the baby is in pain and the capol reduces it.
Non verbal Ds bites himself when he is in pain. Perhaps if people's own children did that, they might be less inclined to be horrified about the use of capol to stop pain.

Onesnowynight · 15/04/2021 06:27

It’s been a long time since my dc were babies (16 & 21), so I can’t remember, but do the box have one of those information leaflets in telling you the safe dosage and it should be for how many days. Normally it says something like more than 3 days use to consult a medical profession? Phone the GP and ask for a triage phone call. I had to phone mine yesterday, and they called me back within 30 minutes and done a prescription for antibiotics over the phone. Hopefully your surgery will offer this too, at least it will give you the correct information and peace of mind.

Teething is horrible. I remember it well. Hopefully they will cut through soon. But don’t worry yourself silly. You are doing what you think is best Flowers

BrownMilk · 15/04/2021 06:35

Also shocked at some of the responses with so many advising to leave a baby in pain.

Withing the recommended doses, I'd use the Calpol without hesitation. I also agree that if it's needed for more than a few days, sensible to get baby checked for any other causes. If nothing else found, I'd maybe ask for a follow up check in another week but I'd continue giving painkillers to a baby in pain (not exceeding the maximum dose for age/ weight).

Trixie78 · 15/04/2021 06:48

Our consultant told us if there was a certain time of day our boys seemed to be in more pain it was ok to give a dose daily for a while till it subsides which we did when teething was bad. We gave it before bed as well as nights were tough for them. It's a small amount of paracetamol.

Icenii · 15/04/2021 07:17

Seems like many people even lack empathy when it comes to their own children. Why bother treating pain if you can't feel it yourself?

OP is consulting a GP, she is waiting for an appointment. In the meantime she is giving below dose age appropriate treatment. Some of the things recommended as alternative really are not better alternatives, or come with their own risks, or are not age appropriate.

Mousetown · 15/04/2021 07:26

@ivfbeenbusy

It's the only thing that seems to settle him down though.

Because you're drugging him 🤷‍♀️

New mum or not it's not really an excuse not to follow the guidelines on the calpol instructions?

My baby’s paediatrician, who I spoke to about this yesterday (my baby is going through the same thing, and we had an appointment for something else so thought I would mention it), disagrees with you. What’s your medical background?
MaMaD1990 · 15/04/2021 08:09

@ivebeenbusy I'm guessing you hold no formal medical training and thats why you're behaving like a sanctomummy? Various people have already said their GP has said this is absolutely fine and not to worry for various reasons. Just because you don't agree with it, doesn't make it wrong. You literally bring nothing useful to this thread.

Sleepisoverrated150 · 15/04/2021 08:09

@BrownMilk

Also shocked at some of the responses with so many advising to leave a baby in pain.

Withing the recommended doses, I'd use the Calpol without hesitation. I also agree that if it's needed for more than a few days, sensible to get baby checked for any other causes. If nothing else found, I'd maybe ask for a follow up check in another week but I'd continue giving painkillers to a baby in pain (not exceeding the maximum dose for age/ weight).

It’s alright hopefully some of these people will manage the pain themselves next time they have a headache / period pain etc and not take any medication after all that’s their recommendation for a little baby. 🤦‍♀️