Would you use sedatives?

[LilianGish]

Quite surprised to hear that some parents would use sedatives to help young children sleep. Wondered how common this was - it would never have occurred to me to do so, I didn't even realise they were so freely available. Are they for parents who can't be bothered to establish a sleep pattern and don't want to be disturbed or am I just missing a trick?

My sister was also given sedatives because she 'woke in the night and Dad had to get up early'???

My mum has regularly urged me to go to GP for my kids. I think it used to be quite common.

I think it still is

the drugs don't work

they make things worse

but I know I'll see your face again

aHAHAHHHHHHAHAHHHAHHAAH

i see a sleep therapist for my ds and she said medised is not a sedative it only contains small amount so is not classed as one and it was ok for me to use this as he has cold it is just paracetomol and small amount of sedative to help aid restful sleep not knock them out

That which we would call a rose , by any name would smell as sweet

So Romeo would, were he not Romeo called, retain that dear perfection which he owes without that title.

quite a literary afternoon on MN

this is a good mumsnet one

And nothing 'gainst Time's scythe can make defence
Save breed, to brave him when he takes thee hence

Then of thy beauty do I question make
That thou amongst the wastes of time must go
Since sweets and beauties do themselves forsake
And die as fast as others should grow

very comforting when the years go marching on

The quality of mercy is not strained
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
upon the place beneath.It is twice blessed-it blesseth him that gives and him that takes

Only read the OP.

Yes, if my child were ill and could not fall asleep.

Sleep is very beneficial when you are ill - also to the parents.

Otherwise, no.

I work with a person with Asperger's, however, who does not have a normal sleep pattern and she uses sedatives quite often to get herself to sleep. As a child, she was given sedatives to help her sleep otherwise her poor parents didn't get any sleep.

Past the point of needing them now. DH and I used to joke we needed a tranquiliser dart for the dcs some nights. If only we'd known! Living abroad since dcs were born and really had absolutely no idea (not sure if we'd have used them - but can see how it might be useful when they are unwell).

The paediatrician suggested we use Piriton on DS, who has eczema and is a bad sleeper, to give him and us some rest once or twice a week. Unfortunately it made no blardy difference at all!

Sleep, that knits up the ravelled sleeve of care
the death of each days life
sore labours bath
the balm of hurt minds

I have opted for Medised rather than Calpol knowing that it comes with a drowsy bonus. My closest friends have all confessed to doing the same when desperate for sleep.

I have been known to choose drowsy cough medicine over the non-drowsy stuff. Does that count?

[bad mother]

I've given both-streaming-with-hayfever-DDs Piriton syrup tonight.

Poor souls!

I'm here choking on blardy post-nasal drip myself with my ears throbbing, I can imagine how they feel.

DD1 was complaining that she was tired and wanted to sleep, but coughing on post nasal drip was hindering her.

So out came the Piriton.

Crossing fingers they get a restful night.

This weather is vile.

Medised
Piritin

and if they have a cough I say "Benylin Nighttime dh??" and he says "oh yes indeedy"

we have them lined up on top of the cupboard - along with Calpol - a veritable treasure chest

mainly used in the winter when it is a cold fest in this house

dd2 was a DREADFUL sleeper and I used Medised when I wanted to run away if I had another night when I was up every 2 hours

Have never and hope to never have to, certianly wouldnt so i could get out for the evening.

yes we have.

dd1 waas dosed almost nightly when a toddler on piriton due to severe eczema as it would sooth her itch and then knock her out. she now doesnt need the knocking out as is old enough to help manage her own skin and can almost stop herself scratching.

dd2 was on vallergan for a while as was sleeping about 4hours a night and it was killing me. GP perscribed it for her. now she is older she lseeps a good 8-10hours each night and has the good grace to lie in bed quietly or lie next to me till the alarm goes off.

they also all her medised if they have a cold, as due to asthma tendancies the prescence of a nasel drip down their throat can set off a night attack which isnt pretty and very distressful.

have also found that 'joyrides' the travel sickness pills seem to knock my kids out

Oooooo for many years I thought Medised was just another brand name of Calpol and then ONLY THEN do I find out that it has sleeping stuff in it, about 4 years too late.

Do I use it, Hell yes, it gives me a lovely kip.