Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Parenting

For free parenting resources please check out the Early Years Alliance's Family Corner.

Flip

Original poster

1st immunisations tomorow - preemptive calpol?

16 replies

GirlWithTheMouseyHair · 07/01/2009 17:17

have heard it's a good idea to give calpol before the jabs, ds struggles to settle for sleep anyay so anticipating the worst after his jabs tomorrow...how long before should you give it?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

stuffitllama · 07/01/2009 17:19

Paracetamol is not a sedative, it is a pain killer and a fever suppressant. If it helps with sleep it is because it has helped relieve pain or a high temperature.

CharCharGabor · 07/01/2009 17:21

I heard it wasn't a good idea as it can mask a reaction. I was only told this after DD had her first ones and she was fine with pre-emptive calpol. I didn't do it for the others though and she managed ok.

Original poster

GirlWithTheMouseyHair · 07/01/2009 17:25

ah ok...so what would most ppl do? just wait and see how he deals with it and administer afterwards if neccessary?

obviously i don't intend to sedate him!! i just mean want to pre-empt pain or fever which will inevitably add to issues of getting to sleep

OP posts:

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

General health General parenting

boogeek · 07/01/2009 17:27

I'd definitely wait and see how he is (you wouldn't take paracetamol yourself just on the off-chance, would you?) Both mine have been fine and not needed anything afterwards.

Lurkinaroundthechristmastree · 07/01/2009 17:30

I only gave it if DCs had a temperature or were in some discomfort after jabs. Can't understand this obsession with pouring Calpol into children all the time (not saying you're doing that of course GirlWithTheMouseyHAir).

I know a few parents who give it as a matter of course if child is crying or slightly snuffly or even just because it's near bed time. And a couple of mums I know have said if they give a dose of Calpol to one child who needs it the other child will want to have some too and they give it to them!

I'd say wait and see. I don't think it takes too long to work if you need to give him some.

Original poster

GirlWithTheMouseyHair · 07/01/2009 17:30

er - well i do for stufflike waxing etc!! but get your point and i'm not a fan of pumping him with stuff he doesn't need so that's prob best.

What homeopathic remedies would be best does anyone know?

OP posts:

boogeek · 07/01/2009 17:32

Do you?! Wuss .

lljkk · 07/01/2009 17:34

hm, personally, I found calpol HUGELY effective if given about 20 mins before jabs due. Have done that before, would do it again.

Giving calpol after or not giving at all led to lots more crying when jab given and in the hour or so afterwards. I Wouldn't choose to risk that again.

but hey ho, you can try pointless expensive and trendy unproven sugar pills instead if you want...

Original poster

GirlWithTheMouseyHair · 07/01/2009 17:35

yup! not afraid to admit....am a brazilian-bikini girl though, am impressed at anyone who manages to do that without painkillers!!

lurkin - can't believe that about parents giving it just cos it's bedtime!!!

OP posts:

chegirl · 07/01/2009 17:39

Yep deffo.

It doesnt harm the child if they dont get a reaction and it stops them feeling quite so crap if they do.

I am a bit alarmed at the amount of people who think Calpol is a sort of tonic and medication in itself.

I had a neighbour once who asked to borrow some calpol. I gave her the bottle and the next day she said 'I couldnt give it to him, it wasnt calpol, it was paracetamol. I dont give him that' Its not the first time Ive heard that.

Thankyouandgoodnight · 07/01/2009 19:56

When my two reacted to their jabs (each reacted once only), it was at least 6-8 hours later. A dose of calpol before during or just after the jabs would have been completely pointless. It certainly doesn't have any effect on the 'pain' of the jab - It doesn't target your skin receptors like a topical (apply directly to the skin) anaesthetic does. Otherwise, they would give babies calpol before blood tests / fitting canulars etc in hospital and they don't. They put an aneasthetic cream on their hands and wait for ages for it to work.

likessleep · 08/01/2009 09:40

I didn't use Calpol (thought I'd give it to him afterwards if he was unsettled / in pain) and DS was fine with his jabs, upset at the time, but only for a couple of minutes, I gave him a feed and he was fine afterwards. No reaction at all.

warthog · 08/01/2009 09:44

i never gave it to any of my babies after their injections because they didn't need it. i'd only give it if they needed it, not just in anticipation.

Alibear1 · 08/01/2009 11:23

I didn't give pre-emptive Calpol and Lewis was fine after the initial yelling as the needle went in!!

Original poster

GirlWithTheMouseyHair · 08/01/2009 20:55

thanks for all your opinions, we decided not to give pre-emptively and so far he seems normal (screaming instead of going to bed normal!)

OP posts:

BikeRunSki · 09/01/2009 09:26

DS had his third set of jabs earlier this week. BEfore the first set I asked the HV about preemptive Calpol and she recommended getting soem in in case I needed it, but not to give it pre-emptively. He yelled for about 4 seconds after each set of jabs, but never had a bad reaction to them, so I have never needed to give him Calpol. I don;t see the point of giving him unnecessary drugs. In fact, his jabs have always made him sleepy and he has slept flat out for about 2 hours after each set.

Flip