Confused about Calpol...

[petal040]

I don't have any... but have checked online and as far as I can see it is liquid paracetamol.

LO was prescribed paediatric liquid paracetamol (that is what it says on the packaging) when she had her jabs...

Does paracetamol make babies sleepy? If so, why doesn't it make adults sleepy?

Or is it a myth that Calpol makes babies sleep? Or did it used to but not any more?

I am just curious, as my mum often says Calpol used to knock me out as a baby - but I don't understand why?? And I want to check if the medicine my LO has would make her sleepy? It doesn't say so in the leaflet?

 

[suzib76]

i have never known paracetomol to make anyone sleepy be it either adult or child, but your mum may have seen ti that way as after having the paracetomol you could of slept easier as you were not in pain anymore iykwim

 

[helent1983]

What your LO was prescribed is the same as calpol hun (just without the name!).

Paracetamol does in fact make adults sleepy - you just might not realise it babe xx

Finally I wouldn't give a baby calpol just to make them sleep it is only to be used as a pain relief

xx

 

[helent1983]

Forgot to say! I have heard a few people say "give em Calpol it will knock them out!" but I think this is only said in jest! xx

 

[OmarsMum]

It's only paracetamol. I think it's just makes babies less fuzzy as it's a pain killer & also lowers temperatures. My LO had it after his jabs, but didnt really affect his sleeping patterns.

Some adults who r not used to taking paracetamol feel more relaxed & sleepy when they take it.

 

[sobersadie]

Yep Calpol is just a paracetamol suspension - its just the make if u like. Paracetamol doesnt make u sleepy otherwise there would be a warning on it to say dont drive etc for adults. Its because u are taking away baby's pain and temp that they sleep better because they are feeling better.

 

[petal040]

Hmm... I also wondered if it was just the pain relief - but many people seem to say it is more than that...

Just wanted to add - I have no intention of giving it to LO to make her sleep - I'm just wondering if I did use it, for example if she had very sore teeth, would it make her drowsy so going out doing activities would be a bad idea?

 

[helent1983]

No it won't make her drowsy. I would definately give her some if her teeth are hurting x

Sorry when I said make her sleepy I meant that it will help her sleep but just cause it will ease the pain it won't make her really really drowsy! xx

 

[Angel2703]

I have to totally disagree with everyone on here that suggests that calpol does not make babies drowsy. It most certainly does hence why some people use it to help their babies sleep. This however is not something i would ever do or recommend. My 5 month old baby was out for the count after having her first dose of calpol and it still has a drowsy effect on here now. I have checked with ALL my friends with children and those with children up to the age of 5 say calpol still makes them drowsy and sleepy.

 

[CharlieP]

I have to totally disagree with everyone on here that suggests that calpol does not make babies drowsy. It most certainly does hence why some people use it to help their babies sleep. This however is not something i would ever do or recommend. My 5 month old baby was out for the count after having her first dose of calpol and it still has a drowsy effect on here now. I have checked with ALL my friends with children and those with children up to the age of 5 say calpol still makes them drowsy and sleepy.

Have to disagree - On the few occasions I have given it, it makes no difference at all to my LO's sleeping patterns.

 

[Mynx]

I have to totally disagree with everyone on here that suggests that calpol does not make babies drowsy. It most certainly does hence why some people use it to help their babies sleep. This however is not something i would ever do or recommend. My 5 month old baby was out for the count after having her first dose of calpol and it still has a drowsy effect on here now. I have checked with ALL my friends with children and those with children up to the age of 5 say calpol still makes them drowsy and sleepy.

Have to disagree - On the few occasions I have given it, it makes no difference at all to my LO's sleeping patterns.

I'm with Charlie, it doesnt make Evie drowsy either. I think it's more the fact that she's not in pain and is more comfortable and more likely to go to sleep than she was before

 

[AnnaHughes]

I have to totally disagree with everyone on here that suggests that calpol does not make babies drowsy. It most certainly does hence why some people use it to help their babies sleep. This however is not something i would ever do or recommend. My 5 month old baby was out for the count after having her first dose of calpol and it still has a drowsy effect on here now. I have checked with ALL my friends with children and those with children up to the age of 5 say calpol still makes them drowsy and sleepy.

has the opposite effect on my LO - when he was teething it was a nightmare - we would give him Calpol to relieve the pain before bedtime - but then he just would not sleep - however, if he did not have Calpol, he was able to sleep!

 

[samsugar7]

Medised is the liquid paracetamol that can put babies to sleep but a few years ago it had the age raised to 4+ years i think. Calpol does have a drowsy effect if you double or more dose but this is obviously dangerous and not recommended.

 

[Vici]

There was a thread a while ago where a lady was trying to find the reason her LO had stopped sleeping and it was the calpol It hasd def never made Imi sleepy - maybe less grizzly so seemed like shes quieter but i would assume this is because its a pain reliever x

 

[andbabymakes3]

No, Calpol does not make babies drowsy. They may sleep more because they aren't in pain - however the paracetamol itself doesn't make them drowsy. I checked with my doctor before giving it to her.

 

[Hollys_Twinny]

Morgans never Been drowsy off it!

 

[MrsRH]

I am a medic and paracetamol does not cause drowsiness in babies or adults.

As mentioned above it is more likely to make babies feel relaxed because they are not in pain therefore they sleep.

Medised does have a sedative added to paracetmaol but the age that it can be given has just been raised. This medicine was open to abuse by parents to get kids off to sleep. I know, I've had parents confess!!!
x

 

[amandad192]

I must say that paracetamol helps Liam sleep. I gave it to him the day he had his jabs and for about 2 days after as he wouldn't settle to sleep. I weren't sure if he wouldn't settle because the effect of the jabs, trapped wind, or because he's teething (Yep at 9 weeks..First tooth cutting, sore bum etc) so I gave him some to relieve the effect of the jabs, wind or teething. Whatever was bothering him would be less painful with the calpol. But sure enough after taking it he fell asleep. (This could be because he wasn't in pain anymore or because it made him drowsy)

I was going to make a post about calpol the other day. I was in the kitchen doing the dishes when I noticed the free medicine spoon in the 2month+ calpol. So I'll add what I was going to put on here rather than starting a new post.

Dear calpol,
Thank you very much for providing a free medicine spoon in you 2month+ calpol. Luckily for me, My 9 week old son sits unaided while I pour the medicine onto the spoon, Opens his moth wide so I can get the spoon into his mouth, and takes it all in one go with no mess. Unfortunately not all babies are this advance and maybe it will make it easier for their parents if you would kindly provide a syringe instead of a spoon.
Many thanks.
Mum to a baby whose just had his jabs.

 

[Mum2b_Claire]

I have to totally disagree with everyone on here that suggests that calpol does not make babies drowsy. It most certainly does hence why some people use it to help their babies sleep. This however is not something i would ever do or recommend. My 5 month old baby was out for the count after having her first dose of calpol and it still has a drowsy effect on here now. I have checked with ALL my friends with children and those with children up to the age of 5 say calpol still makes them drowsy and sleepy.

I strongly disagree! Ruby has been awake for HOURS after it's been given at bedtime, it's the e numbers it's chock full of, one of them is linked to hyperactivity.

 

[wispa86]

calpol doesnt make Ben drowsy but it does help him to sleep. i only give it if he is ill or badly teething, so like with adults - you cant sleep when your in pain but when u take paracetamol you can!