Urgent - can I give Calpol and Nurofen at the same time?

[shattered200]

My baby (13 months) is struggling terribly with teething tonight. I’ve given 0.5ml of Calpol but can I give the recommended dose of Nurofen as well? Or do I have to wait a few hours now?

I’ve also dabbed Anbesol on the gums but don’t know where the pain is coming from and I think I may have got the wrong gum. Now have to wait another 3 hours to use it again!

I used anbesol liquid all the time, my little ones teethed horribly, I also used calpol and nurofen at the same time, quite often actually. I wouldn’t think twice personally.

You should not give them calpol and nurofen without advice from a medical professional. Posters on here are likely not medically trained, but even if a few are, they do not know your childs history and are not in a position to say if you should use both.

The NHS says if they are still distressed before the next dose, you could switch to the other. That does not mean you can use both. The link you sent says 'Do not keep switching between doses of paracetamol and ibuprofen unless advised to by a healthcare professional'.

If using either calpol or nurofen doesn't help, then call 111, or your GP in the morning. Just because others have been told to use both for their child's situation, doesn't mean you should. These posters are not qualified to give this advice, and you should go by the NHS advice as that is what's best for your baby.

I read the NHS advice too but when DS was poorly our very experienced GP said it was fine to give both together, ideally staggered so they’re always ‘covered’. I’ve done so ever since when he’s been super poorly.

I give anbesol whenever my LO needs it and he is completely fine, it's only a little amount that you put on anyway x

But the OP isn’t switching between between doses of paracetamol and ibuprofen? I think our medical professionals have enough to worry about without being bothered by whether to give calpol and ibuprofen at the same time, in appropriate doses to an otherwise healthy child.

Screaming in agony seems out of proportion for teething.

Is it?!

He’s had the Calpol and Anbesol, is back in his cot and finally seems to be quietening down now. I just wish the advice about the Calpol and Nurofen wasn’t so vague. Or maybe I’m just stupid.

Perhaps I will try a double dose of Anbesol if he wakes again just so I know I’ve all guns covered. It’s just scary giving a tiny child over the recommended dose!!

I learned that in the hospital too, but was told to follow the bottle instructions when home.

Is it definitely teeth OP?

We did and still do give calpol and nurofen at the same time for teething. DS really suffers badly.if you want to give only one I'd offer nurofen over calpol, it lasts longer and seems to take the edge off more

in appropriate doses to an otherwise healthy child.

Otherwise healthy child who was seemingly in agony just a short while ago?! Anyways like I say, he seems to be quietening down now, but it would be useful to know what to do when/if it happens again

Babies aren't normally in agony with teething. Sometimes parents tend to attribute everything to teething and it can mask other things.

Oh but also we have never given both at same time
If we gave calpol we'd wait two hour or so before the nurofen.

Im certain it’s teeth as I can see he has at least two coming through at the moment, and he kept putting his hand to his mouth. Feel so bad for him

Lots of babies can be in agony with teething. You have a sore tooth you know how sore it can be.
Just because people didn't experience it with their baby doesn't mean it never happens.
And our son definitely suffers terrible with it and we aren't stupid people, we know if other things are up. What a patronising comment zoeydollie

Babies aren't normally in agony with teething.

@zoeydollie He woke up screaming, hand constantly going to his mouth, has several teeth coming through at the moment, is drooling lots, gums look red and lumpy. Plus Anbesol and Calpol seem to have soothed him. What else could it be?!

You are right @shattered200. It's obvious when it's going on. It is exactly the same with my boy it's been hell.

Some people have no clue..

Do you have a teething gel? Really helped my DD, it numbs the gums.

Teething can be agony for some, it’s awful to see them clearly suffering. You know your baby OP. Like I said before I always used calpol/nurofen at the same time, it’s the only thing that would help my LO.

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I kept track of what i gave my son a few days ago, its the same way consultant in hospital told me to give pain meds to keep on top of the pain. I just found it, hopefully it'll help you figure out timings for your ds

11:45 - paracetamol

13:45 - ibuprofen

15:45 - paracetamol

17:45 - ibuprofen

19:45 - paracetamol

Thanks for the gel suggestions… I do find Anbesol very effective, as long as you get the right bit of gum!! He has several teeth that are partially through but also other bits of his gum look red and lumpy, so I don’t know which bit is hurting him.

Can you use Anbesol and other gels like Bonjela at the same time?

Thanks @NoWittyNamesAvailable x

Have you got a teether you can ice? If not an ice cube in a flannel for him to gum might help.

When my DD was teething we used to put teething gel around a dummy, and she would automatically put the dummy on the “right” bit of gum. Appreciate not everyone likes to use dummies these days, but maybe some kind of teething stick/ring? Another thing that helped was a frozen wet flannel to chew on?

Thanks @eurochick - he’s settled down now but will freeze some teething toys and try the ice cube in flannel tomorrow.