give medicine or not?



ORIGINAL POST
Posted by Nicher 19 yrs ago
I'm looking for advice on this: My baby is 8.5 months old. He had a fever last weekend and we took him to the doc. He's diagnosed of having some common respiratory infection which involves symptoms like running nose, sneezing, a bit of coughing and phlem. We offered Panadol to control his temperature. The fever's gone but still running nose and coughs. I have hesitation on whether I should give him medicine or should let him recover naturally by giving him more water and sleep. I hear mixed opinions on this. Would appreciate more advice :)

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COMMENTS
crj 19 yrs ago
what did your dr say?


for fevers we always do panadol.


for colds we do saline drops up the nose, and lots of fluids and sleep...

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Nicher 19 yrs ago
Dr taught us how to feed the medicine. She said something like if he has running nose, then give him the medicine for running nose; if he has cough, feed him the one for cough... just that. Yeah we do the saline drops too.

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Wheelymate 19 yrs ago
fluids, lots of fluids. at 8.5 mths, i don't know what your bub is eating but you might find that he might suddenly regress to pureed or watery food instead of chunks if you have started introducing it. but just let him be until he feels better. he might also feel too sick to eat well, my son survives on bananas and homemade fuit smoothies (yoghurt and whatever yummy fruits we have) when he is ill - i just let him be until he is better, they will make up for it!


as for vapour rub and what not for colds, i only did this after one as i am not sure if it's safe for bubs below 1? what i do is i dab some vapour drops onto a flannel and tie it to his cot. i don't like to apply it on him directly. the brand we use is snuffle babe.


good luck!

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Ruth in Canada 19 yrs ago
Baby Ibuprofen/Motrin worked better for my kids and lasted longer for fevers.

Lots of fluids! Make popsicles with juices and smoothies or even breastmilk!

Make sure you take care of yourself so you don't succumb to the same illness. It's so much worse when Mummy gets sick.

Is your baby distressed with the symptoms? I think that is a key. If he is upset, maybe consider treating one of the symptoms and see how that goes.

I think you are doing just fine...

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Matilda 19 yrs ago
It is easy to overmedicate children and than having to deal with side-effects such as drowsiness or poor sleep and feeding. In most cases the symptoms will settle naturally and medications may only be needed if the congestion / cough interferes with sleep and feeding. Even than, less aggressive medicines are available (the ones without anti-histamins or stimulants such as pseudoephedrine).


It is our experience that ‘cold medicines’ work unpredictable, may work for some, not for others and is often trial and error.


Obviously when a child is truly sick (more than a cold) these medicines can make a difference.


Best to discuss with your paed/gp


Matilda Medical Centre - 2537 8500

Matilda International Hospital

Hong Kong

http://www.matilda.org



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