ETAMCJ - that is a horrible, horrible nightmare and I am so sorry for the loss of your sister - It was very good of you to share your story.
I am still wary of using anything besides saline nose drops and a humidifier, but we did come to a point when my daughter had an unstoppable runny nose a few months ago. This was after reports had started showing up about OTCs and those under two, yet her Dr. still recommended (at the risk of sounding like a commercial)Children's Dimetapp, a half dose (1 tsp). It worked for her, and she didn't seem to have any ill effects.
I think we should ALWAYS call the pediatrician before giving our kids ANYTHING, it doesn't cost a penny, and everyone will feel better knowing our kids are safe.
oh, and just a reminder - nobody under one year of age should have honey (it could cause a form of boccilism in babies, since they don't yet have the enzyme to digest it properly)
MAMADOODLEBUG 1/21/08 4:13 P
VALPO, I agree that it seems a little over the top that the government just got rid of them. I understand the logic behind it, but it feels like they're treating us like children taking away something they don't think we can handle. I think in the long run they're setting parents up for more issues, because parents are turning to medicine for older children rather than the infant formulas that used to be out there. If there were dosage issues before, I tend to think there will be more now.
I know that overdoses happen, as ETAMCJ, shared, which is a terrible thing to deal with. I know that anything bad that happens to my child affects me, so I can't even imagine something like that happening.
I also half the dosages for my son and only use them once at night so he can fall asleep more easily, and then once in the morning because he's generally congested and icky.
I saw that someone mentioned the Vick's plug in. I tried that in my son's room, but it didn't seem to do much, but I noticed that his humidifier has a spot for Vick's tabs and THAT works much better. My husband HATES the smell, but it kind of takes me back to when my sisters and I were little. :) Between the Vick's and the meds, that seems to be enough to help my son through the night and naps.
LANDSMOM 1/21/08 3:11 P
Thanks Stressedmom for the answer to Benedryl! I know my ped has suggested using it before too ... but who knows which pediatricians know what anymore, ya know?
ETAMCJ - I am so sorry about your baby sister. That's terrifying to me ... not that you worried me anymore about the subject. But I just feel terrible for your mother ... she had no idea, I'm sure! And I, too, am glad that they do provide these warnings. Even if it makes some of us uber-paranoid ... at least we have more information and then can make the best decisions for our family.
STRESSEDMOMMY 1/21/08 2:59 P
I don't think benadryl is included. My youngest DDs pediatrician recommended it to me to help control the itching of her eczema when she was just over 6 months old. He said it was not addictive and that it would be extremely difficult to overdose on. Ever since I learned that too much Tylenol can cause liver damage in young children, I have been a little more careful about the medicines I give them and I try to go natural when I can. Natural honey works great for a cough and Vick's vapor rub under the nose really helps clear congestion. But if they're miserable and I know what they really need is sleep then I will give them an OTC to help make them comfortable.
ETAMCJ 1/21/08 2:58 P
I don't want anyone to be over paranoid or anything but I would like to tell you about my baby sister dying from OTC medicines.
My sister was 20 months old when she died. My mom had given her a cough and cold medicine and then about two hours later gave her an antihistamine. Then they went to sleep. When my mom woke up the next morning she found my sister dead. She had passed away early in the morning.
I am not saying to never give your kids cold medicines because I have 4 boys that I give medicine to when they need it. Just please be extra cautious of mixing medicines and the dosage...even if it is given a few hours apart.
My mom misses my sister everyday and she feels so happy that there are finally some warnings out there for other parents.
I hope this helps and I am sorry if I scared anyone but I have to pass this message along to anyone with children.
Tammy The task ahead of you is never as great as the POWER behind you.
LANDSMOM 1/21/08 12:52 P
So my husband and I were discussing this the other night. Does anyone know if Benedryl is included in this list? I can't remember the name of the active ingredient, although if I saw it I'd remember. But we have used Children's Benedry for my son (he's almost 3) and my daughter (she's now 15 months) to help them sleep when they have drainage and it causes breathing trouble. It has always made such a big difference. Now I'm very weary of giving it to either of them, but then we all just have miserable nights! Now, the cool mist humidifier and Vicks plug-in thing do also work wonders in my daughter's room. So we don't have to give anything else to her.
I don't use any other cough/cold medicines, b/c frankly, they just never worked (for me or my son, never gave them to my daugher). But Benedryl always seemed to help dry up the drainage a bit, and IMO it has helped prevent some EI's.
VALPO1997 1/21/08 10:08 A
I gave my daughter, now 16 months, OTC cold medicine when she was sick. I was so upset when the gov't decided on our behalf that we could no longer do this for our children.
Yes, there will always be people who make mistakes with medicines babies, children, or adults.
What are they going to do, get rid of all of them?!?!?!?
However, I am not saying to give medicine just to give medicine though. Don't like that either. But if the medicine helps them sleep, let's go.
Oh by the way I found something that does help for colds on top of medicine. There is a "system" by Vicks that you plug in to the wall. You put a pad in it that is soaked in Vick and it heats it up (safely) to release the vapors in the air. Works pretty good for colds. I also have put Vicks on the bottom of my daughter's feet for a bad cough, and cover them with socks. This helps out too.
In case you are no longer able to get medicines or your doctor won't give them to you for the child.
KATIETII 1/20/08 11:13 P
I have given my daughter cold medicines from the time she was 6 months old (she is now 3). It does relieve the symptoms long enough for sleep. I have always cut the dosage in half though. She is a pretty healthy child and the few time she has been sick cold medicines have helped.
I know that they are now recommending no over the counter medicine for 2 to 8 year olds as well, but I would rather give her a small dosage of cold medicine to help her sleep than fill her up with antibiotics. sleep works just as well as most anything to cure a child.
MAMADOODLEBUG 1/20/08 9:42 P
Just curious to hear other parents' opinions on the new rules and regulations for cold medicine and children under 2.
I personally think that, no matter what the goverment agencies say, it does help them feel better. Cure their colds? Not at all. Relieve the crummy symptoms, absolutely. I still use toddler cough/cold medicine when my son (10 months) has a cough and cold, but I am mindful of dosages and timing. I compared ingredients and dosing instructions between the infant formulas versus the toddler formulas and in many cases they are identical, so I feel comfortable using them once in a while when he's really miserable.
