Drugging your baby with Calpol?

Question

Would you give your baby Calpol if it seemed a lot more grumpy than usual (15 weeks old)? We're not sure if he is sick with a cold or if he is teething yet, bored or just being a pain in the butt. Any thoughts?

Lets be clear here, we (wife and I) feel guilty, because it feels like its drugging him. As we said, we are not sure if its teething or recovering from a cold, although the nurse said it wouldnt hurt to give calpol it still feels wrong, like we should "cope" with him,rather than "drugging" him.

Answer 1

I think the other responders missed the cynicism of "drugging"...maybe it's been a while since they've been first-time parents of a newborn...who knows. I'm in the same boat with you; my son is 13-weeks and much crankier than "normal". We've wondered about giving vs. not giving for same reasons. IS he ill and would benefit from med or just fussy and doesn't NEED med....????? And any one who has never had a fleeting thought of their child being a pain in the rear is either a) not being honest w/ themselves or b) not a parent

Answer 2

I know what you mean.

My other half is like this, sometimes when our 9 month old gets grizzly and theres no obvious cause he'll say "oh he must be teething, give him some Calpol" and I hate doing it because, like you I feel its drugging him.

But then again if he *is* teething and in pain then he needs the pain releif!!

I would say that giving him a single spoonful (2.5ml at 3 months) won't do any harm, if he's really grumpy and theres no other obvious cause (dirty, hungry, uncomfortable etc) he may be in teething or coming down with something and need some relief and perhaps a little sleep. If you gave him Calpol everytime he cried just because you wanted a break though I'd be concerned (and wouldn't your name be Gerry McCann? Lol!)

Answer 3

Our calpol says from 3 months so check on the box first.
We felt exactly the same as you & little one got an ear infection & we put off giving her calpol until the docs told us to, this was at about 3 months. It doesn't knock them out, it helps take away the pain, thats a good thing surely, as long as you follow the instructions. Our baby is 10 months now & i use homeopathy to help when she's struggling with teething but if she gets a cold i won't hesitate to use the calpol.

One thing i would say is, your baby is still quite young, if he seems different he could have an ear infection or similar which you'll need a doctor to diagnose, you should never take a risk with lil ones.

edit: Just to add, someone said its 5ml for a 3 month old but its actually 2.5ml until they are 6 months old & then its 5 ml, but i know you'd find that out anyway :o)

Answer 4

I think in the back of your mind you've heard the news stories about the McCanns and the rumoured use of Calpol as a sedative.
It is only paracetamol in liquid form, and as long as you follow the dosage instructions carefully you'll be fine.
Your baby can't tell you if he's in pain - if he's grumpy he may well be suffering some discomfort.
I found Calpol a godsend when my 2 were babies and had endless coughs, colds and teething problems.
Just remember to go to your doctor if the symptoms continue.

Answer 5

Yes i would give my baby Calpol if he was more grumpy than usual as he probably has the start of a cold or teething and if you where in pain you would take a pain killer wouldn't you. If he settles down after the calpol then you know if was the right decision.

Answer 6

I understand why you feel as if you are drugging him as you are not sure whats wrong, but believe me if your baby is poorly or teething then giving him Calpol is the best thing you can do. It will relieve any pain and help lower his temperature. Just don't give it him every time he cries in the future and you will be doing fine. Good luck i hope baby settles soon.

Answer 7

Our 5 month old has been through this and crying a lot before bedtime. We had done everything, checked his nappy, fed him and put some teething gel on his gums as we thought he was in pain but he would still cry. We did give him calpol as a last resort to see if that would help and it did.
If it helps and stops their discomfort it won't harm.
You as a parent know your baby so go with your instinct. We do.

Answer 8

I only give my son Calpol when he is showing signs of teething (chewing things, red cheeks, red gums etc) or if he has a slight temp. If he is just grumpy, I just give him lots of cuddles. I feel guilty if I give it to him too often (when teething) but it does help him. I gave him some today becuase he fell out of the door and bumped his head and grazed his nose. I gave it to him because I could see that he was in pain.

Answer 9

Has he got a temperature, or runny nose? If so you can give him Calpol. If not he may be just having an off day... we all do. Just keep a close eye on him. Never give a baby any medicine just for the sake of it.

Answer 10

It would depend if he was just a little grumpy or if he had any sympoms such as temperature, unusual sleeping pattern, signs of teething, upset tummy or runny nose.
I probably would be inlined to give him the right does for his age and make sure it is the right one as well as there are 2 alpols, one for babies and one for older children.
If he is a little under the weather then hopefully that will make him feel a little more comfortable, in any case a correct dose will not do him any harm.

Answer 11

Calpol is one of the most common child remedies ever.It is one of the very few things you can give to babies.another thing what are you doing calling a baby a pain in the ***? If you think its bad now you are in for a shock.