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.

With my 1st daughter I had only just turned 18 years old, so was very worried about little things. Many years on and 5 children on, I now trust my instinct and believe that age comes with wisdom. I do ask my sister or mum if in doubt and also NHS helpline too.

The thing that makes me confident is the amount of amazing advice on the internet

I feel more confident if I talk to my mum. My little one is poorly at the moment and I had a good chat on the phone with my mum this morning and got some good advice and reassurance.

A phone call to mum asking for advice

You have to trust your instinct as a parent. I rarely take my two to the doctors but last time I did the doctor asked me what my gut instinct was. I really appreciated it too. Knowing I am stocked up on a good age appropriate medicine, some sticky plasters and hot water bottles generally keep me safe in the knowledge I am going to be able to help comfort them. If not a quick facebook status, google or NHS direct call puts my mind at rest.

i used to work in a chemist so know which meds work and which don't and to be honest a little paracetamol and plenty of fluids is generally the best way forward except if there is dodgy tummies involved then plenty of water and sleep will work wonders

"what makes you feel better when you’re down with a winter bug" - hot water bottle, warm duvet, hot chocolate, soft tissues and a pain killer if necessary, something relatively mild like paracetemol

I definitely do not feel confident. When my youngest DS was 2-and-a-half and had a bad cold he was lying on the settee asleep with just pants on and I could see that his breathing was very laboured. I asked DH (a veterinary surgeon!) if he thought he looked ill enough to see a Dr. He shrugged and said that he didn't look like he was about to die! Yeah thanks for that DH! Anyway I decided to ring the GP who told me to take him straight in. Thank goodness I did as he was immediately put on a nebuliser, and I was then told to take him to the Children's Hospital (10 miles away in rush-hour traffic). There was nowhere to park at the hospital so I had to park in an NCP car park and walk carrying him. By the time I got into the hospital he was very grey and floppy and I was told off for having not "blue lighted him in". Well, if a qualified veterinary surgeon and a GP don't know it is that serious how am I supposed to know?! He had bronchiolitis and pneumonia and has scarring on his lungs as a result. I haven't trusted my own, or anyone elses, judgement ever since.

I never used to feel confident, but now 3 children after I know as long as i follow my instinct I am fine. If i worry I am not scared of asking advice, from nhs direct, doctor or friends.

normally fine, know what to do but if in doubt our dr's are great for advice or seeing kids straight away if need be.

nothing, it makes me a nervous wreck.

There's a wealth of advice out there with forums such as this.
Common sense & confidence are my companions ;)

Listen to your gut feeling, mums are always right!

when they are very small it is always a panic, as they get a little older you do draw on your own experience with your own child and get more confident. Until I felt confident, I relied heavily on my parents for their opinion and if in doubt I always went to the Doctor.

Knowing when I can manage at home and taking temperature, also knowing when to seek advice off the doctor. I think knowing signs for ''nastys'' helps too

nothing, it would be much easier to be ill myself

My maternal instinct and also my good friends at NAS who I often ask advice from

I don't feel that confident, though never show that in front of my children. I rely on the support of others, and advice from my mother as a mum and a nurse. I do feel confident in giving painkillers to my children when they need it; I just get a bit panicky when I'm unsure if they need to see a doctor.

just to know that they feel happy I'm constantly with them and they are going to be ok

I work in a GP surgery, and always have my colleagues on hand to put my mind at rest.

I feel confident with simple problems by knowing a bit about the assessment of a sick child. Making sure firstly that he drinking well, and has plenty of wet nappies reassures me that he is not dehydrated. If he appears to be in pain or has a fever then I will try paracetamol or ibuprofen. I have found paracetamol brings his temperature down better but ibuprofen helps more with teething pain.

Going to a GP is a nightmare takes ages to get an appointment then when you get there your sent away again with, see how it goes for a few days if it's not better come back.. So I go as little as possible. I tend to try the obvious first calpol etc but I'd discuss with my partner first to see what he thinks. It's always reassuring to have a second opinion

NHS Direct has been a godsend for us this year. So helpful to get professional advice in the middle of the night instead of worrying, or googling the symptoms!

I always look to close family and friends for advice and experiences to back up what I am doing when it comes to my sons health. He was born with craniosynostosis and I made sure to do plenty of research on the condition and any long lasting effects so I know where we stand.

The thing that makes me most confident that I am doing the right thing though is that when he is ill it is me he wants because I make him feel better.

Experience and going with my own instinct - I just KNOW when my daughters need a trip to the Drs rather than sleep, fluids, cuddles and Nurofen for Children