What makes you feel confident as a parent when your DC is feeling under the weather? Tell Nurofen for Children for a chance to win a £250 Love2Shop voucher! NOW CLOSED

[MichelleMumsnet]

Nurofen for Children have asked us to find out whether Mumsnetters feel confident in making decisions on their DC’s health. We’d also love to know what would make you feel more confident in these kinds of decisions.

Here’s what Nurofen for Children says, “Our research shows that 7 in 10 parents feel judged on the decisions they make for their children and a quarter of those surveyed said the health of their child is the most difficult subject to make decisions on. As parents, you want health advice you can trust. Nurofen for Children is trusted by parents - 9/10 parents who used it would recommend it to a friend*. If your child is struck down with cold, pain or fever, Nurofen for Children offers products to help manage their symptoms. It starts to work in just 15 minutes to bring down a temperature and is clinically proven to last longer than paracetemol to relieve a fever.”

So, what makes you feel confident in making health-related decisions? Would you like more support and if so, from who? Would you like more practical advice on treating your child’s symptoms? Would you like more resources available from your pharmacist? Or is it emotional support that would help your confidence? Would you appreciate more help from your partner or more advice from your friends? Whatever it is, we’d love to hear it.

Everyone who leaves their comments below will be entered into a prize draw to win a £250 Love2Shop voucher.

Thanks and good luck,

MNHQ

Terms and conditions
• To enter the competition simply post a comment below telling us what makes you feel better when you’re down with a winter bug
• Competition closes on 22nd December 2014.
• Entries posted after the closing date will not be considered
• One winner will be chosen from all entries
• Entrants must be aged 18 or over
• Competition hosted by Mumsnet, Deane House Studios (Studio 6), Greenwood Place, Highgate Road, London, NW5 1LB
• Mumsnet will choose the winner at random after the closing date
• Mumsnet will contact the winner privately to organise delivery of the prize
• The prize is £250 Love2Shop vouchers
• Full T&Cs can be found here.

*Survey of Survey of 2,000 parents by OnePoll. March 2014

**Survey by Mum's Views of 225 mums ‘9 out of 10 mums who used NfC would recommend it to a friend’. Last accessed August 2013

EI: Nurofen for Children Cold Pain & Fever 3 months to 9 years Orange / Strawberry. Nurofen for Children Orange / Strawberry 3 months to 12 years. Contains Ibuprofen. For relief of cold, pain and fever. Always read the label.

I don't think I could ever feel comepletely confident when my dc are unwell.
But having checked that there are no major signs of unwellness, I try to make them as comfortable as possible with medicine, blankets on the sofa, cosy pjs and some edible treats to pick at if they don't feel like eating much.
Seeing them (aged 5 and 2) getting more comfortable as a result of this makes me feel a little more settled.

I'm a nurse, but sometimes a little knowledge is a dangerous thing, and I am probably over cautious with my children's health. We have an excellent GP service where we live, and I feel well supported if one of my children have to see the doctor.

For the record, for one of my DCs, Nurofen is the only drug that really works to bring down a high temperature.

I would like more support from lots of people- school nurse could be on call rather than ta the school for a few minutes once a week. I would like a pharmacist who had time to chat rather than an endless stream of customers. I would like a GP that gave us appointments in out of school hours. I am very glad for MN - as the wealth of experience helps build confidence and gives support when needed.

I always feel like I sort of have to know what's wrong with my daughter before going to the doctor so I get the support I need. Our local pharmacist is great and a also when we have had to use the out of hours service they have been very good too. I am afraid I use Dr Google far too much though, which may or may not be actually helpful!

I have an excellent family health book that I use. It has all the answers you could need.
Also have medics in the family so if I'm unsure I can always call to double check (but they are usually busy working).

I think it's great that I can make phone appointments with our GP. For things that you know they don't need to see the child or just a quick question. It saves so much time and hassle.

I use our pharmacist a lot as well. They know so much and are usually really helpful.

I'm a paediatric nurse so have a fair bit of faith in my own judgement but I gp to the Gp when I'm concerned or need further advice. Pharmacys are a good port of call too

When it comes to my son, nurofen works for him if he has a temp, Calpol/ paracetamol doesn't touch him. It's ten other way around with my daughter. Our GP surgery is great, they will always see time children no matter what. When it comes to children they say they'd rather see 100 children and send them away after checking them than 1 being missed if there might be something serious that needs to be treated. It's very reassuring! Although, with experience I feel better to trust my instinct more now.

I would feel more confident if I had something to give them when they have d/v. For adults there's immodium, alka seltzer etc. but for the young ones, nothing. So I resort to flat coke because they won't have anything to do with dioralyte (the texture is 'too slippery' apparently). And toast or salty crisps when they get round to bearing something.

My DS is poorly at the moment and it definitely reassures me that I can give him medicine like nurofen to help relieve his symptoms when years ago you had to suffer.
I do worry a bit when I'm on my own with him though and like a second opinion.
When he was a baby he got bronchiolitus quite badly and almost died from it, I carried a lot of guilt that I hadn't acted quickly enough with him and since then Ive researched a lot in to the signs to look out for in child illnesses.

Having more people available for childcare or help with transport to and from doctors, especially at hospital, my husband's job letting him come home/at the doctor's/hospital immediately also helps.

Also, grandparents keeping them company, siblings playing with them makes them smile.

I also get reassured that we can buy so many medicines over the counter in this country!

Knowing all the emergency numbers. Having the experience to distinguish between a moan and genuine pain / distress. I think their age helps - it is much easier when they are verbal and able to chat to you. But, given that we live somewhere very remote, I always have a cupboard stocked with emergency supplies: plasters and bandages, over the counter remedies and so forth. I remember a very distressing weekend with no medicine for a sick child and, in desperation, phoning another parent (still 20 miles away) and she met my husband in a layby to hand over the drugs (actually Calpol or equivalent). I have never run out since then.

Not being afraid to take them to the doctors (even if it means dealing with grumpy and nosey receptionists) when you're worried.

Thoroughly researching the issue myself- usually online. I have a science background and understand statistics.

Trusting your instincts.

Not crying wolf, i.e. if you are constantly at the doctors for each little sniffle or funny red mark I believe you're more likely to be treated like a silly pfb mummy if there is anything serious wrong.

I've been a mum for 13 years now and my experience makes me feel confident. We've suffered a lot of bugs during that time (DH and I included)!

Relying on instinct - lots of things get better on their own or with a bit of help from medicine.

I don't own a thermometer. I use my judgement on when to provide pain relief. So, I'd say keep it simple.

For me, I feel better when I get some peace and quiet, and no kids desperate to see me.

My instinct and allowing my DC to know what is best for them. If they don't feel like eating I trust that. If they want to sit in a steamy shower to clear their heads I trust that. I used to hate being told 'there is nothing wrong with you.' as a child only to finally end up on ABs days later.

A reassuring phone appointment with a GP or practice nurse is sometimes a great solution. When DD was ill with a tummy bug and too ill to really take to the doctor because she was contagious but I was having one of those just in case moment ( she was only 11 weeks) a chat with the GP over the phone really helped explain certain signs to watch for. I felt confident knowing the markers of her getting worse but didn't have to worry about the logistics of puking baby in GP reception. Was probably more time efficient for the GP too.....

I'm pretty confident about making the right decisions when they're ill now but it's taken me a while to get to that point.

I don't often take my kids to GP but when I do I'd like to see an actual doctor not a nurse tbh. I'm sure some do a fabulous job but our one has missed numerous things she should've picked up on.

Also when I see a GP it'd be nice to be taken seriously and have my instincts taken into consideration. Ds had pneumonia and I was ignored 4 times before they eventually diagnosed him.

I ask my mum for her advice sometimes but she lives far away so can only give limited opinions. Dh thinks he's supportive but he just always thinks everything will be fine and we should never see a doctor!

I have to say on the few occasions my kids have been in a paeds ward the care has been second to none.

I'm very grateful at the end of the day to have access to health care and advice whenever I need it.

Family are always there to help.

It's great that there are medicines they can have from such a young age, a high temperature in a young child is such a worry. In my own experience the doctors are pretty good when it comes to the children, and I have managed most illnesses myself through over the counter medicines and the wonderful google. With only two trips to A & E in 15 years we've not done too badly.

I have a lovely phamacy over the road from me and I know I can ask them for advice anytime. I also ask my mum or sibling for advice.

That we have an NHS service available.

I trust calpol/nurofen to tackle the temperature. I watch my children and ensure they don't go downhill. I would be happy to phone 111 for advice. I feel confiden I would know what to do in an emergency as I have attended paediatric first aid training.

It's for me one of the hardest things to cope with as I feel powerless to make things better. Not so much now my son is older but my newborn knowing that there's nothing I can actually give them yet panics me if I think they are going to get a cold etc..