Alternative to Calpol?

[samandlula]

Does anyone know if there is an alternative to Calpol? ie something natural that can still lower temperature/help with pain in little ones? I really don't like all the pinkness and e numbers and sweeteners, does anyone know? Thanks:D

[ellasmummy]

Hi Sam,
There are a couple of homeopathic remedies you could try although you may be better off consulting a homeopath. This link may help..
http://www.elixirs.com/remedy.htm

HTH
Lizzy xx

[Tiggerrrrrrr]

Lloyds chemist own version has less E numbers (and far less harmful ones) than most other places. In theory, you should just be able to get a paracetamol suspension made up, but chemists don't make them any more because Calpol is so ubiquitous.

Watch out if you use Infacol too. The E numbers in both Calpol and Infacol are BANNED in children's food and drink because they are so harmful, but medicine is not regulated in the same way.

[indiaeden]

We tend to use pulsatilla for temperatures here,combined with cool cloths and fresh air,but as Lizzy said it's best to consult a homeopath.
We only really resort to paracetamol/brufen for pain,so often find the bottle we bought is out of date and still full.
There is a brand that is clear and with no additives,but you have to ask for it. My friend uses it for her son who has many allergies,esp to colours.You should be able to get a script for it from your gp.

Love Jeanette

[samandlula]

Thanks everyone, some really helpful hints there.Amazing about the infacol! Can't believe it, that's just terrible! And they tell us to give it to tiny babies!!!:eek:

[samandlula]

Back again, Pulsatilla sounds great from the website (thanks Lizzy, Jeanette) but where do I get it from - do I need to see a homeopath or can it be bought over the counter anywhere? Sorry for all the questions!:)

[ellasmummy]

Hi Sam,
You can get homeopathic remedies from most health food shops. I know the one in didsbury near me stocks it. I know that some boots and a few chemists stock it as well.
HTH Lizzy x

[indiaeden]

I have a kit of all the basic remedies,I bought it direct from Helios (https://www.helios.co.uk/kits.html) and find it indispensable.
I also have an out of date pregnancy kit that I'm not sure what to do with?(

Love Jeanette

[cloudbaby]

Sam - there's a drop-in clinic at the College of Homoeopathy on Wilbraham Road on Friday evenings, where they only charge ?5, including remedies. See here http://www.nwch.co.uk/patients/available.asp for details.

Hope Jazzy's feeling better soon.

[samandlula]

Wow, thanks Rachel, that sounds great!Jeanette and Lizzy, thanks too. Big love to everyone xxxxxxxx:hello: :)

[mumof3tobe]

we use belladonna or pulsatilla for a fever here. Pulsatilla for needing lots of reassurance (to put it more negatively when they're super clingy/whiny due to illness!) when feeling ill. I also take the pulsatilla myself when I am drained from caring for a feverish child, or feeling impatient or in need of care myself. I see a homeopath from time to time. I credit her with ending DD1's almost constant tonsillitus, she's amazing. We do use calpol/neurofen for pain and if they've a very high fever with illness. A moderate fever alone just gets watched. Gets so much easier when they can tell you in words if somewhere hurts, how they feel etc. If I notice they're hot I ask if it hurts, if they feel funny then decide if they need med....aside from baby Phoebe of course who lets me know mostly by crying!

Like someone said you can get generic paracetamol suspension but think most places would need a prescription. I asked for it in Tesco ages and ages ago and they could only offer me the usual kinds that are all full of rubbish. Mental note to self to ask GP for it when next there! Pharmacist told me most people want to avoid sugar but personally I feel a spoonful of sugar is preferable to a spoon full of chemicals!

xxx
fiona

[samandlula]

Thanks Fiona,I absolutely wholeheartedly agree about the sugar thing. Think people just don't realise how harmful/horrible the alternatives are. I'd rather give her natural badness than chemical badness any day of the week!:) Do you get your homeopathic stuff from the homeopath then?xxx

[sunnysmum]

i am big on using homeopathic remedies instead of prescription drugs. i buy them from the chemist or from the homwopthic pharmacy if i want to buy more specialist ones (or ones without lactose).

we tend to use aconite for fevers if necessary, nut of course the few types used are all down to the individual or family really. i tend to consider belladonna after aconite but have never needed to use it. i've never before heard of pulsatilla for fevers!! i don't usually treat a fever below 40 degrees anyway, but i know my kids can take it.

i once gave my eldest infant paracetamol and have more or less vowed never to do it again! it is stil in the cupboard thoug and i needed a painkiller recently sotook some YUCK!! and it gave me terrible indigestion too, not surprising hen i saw the list of added ingredients!!

good luck finding a chem- free one

[samandlula]

Thankyou too!! Got some pulsatilla, fortunately not had to use it now, but good to know it's there.Will look out for aconite too:hug: Thankyou xxx

[cloudbaby]

Someone reminded me recently that there's a great homoeopathic chemist, where they give advice on remedies and other complementary medicines/remedies on Deansgate in Manchester. It's called PharmaKarma. They do ordinary prescriptions too, but sell and advise on a range of alternatives.

Also, just round the corner on John Dalton Street is Neal's Yard, who give great advice and have big old books to consult. They do homoeopathy, oils, flower remedies, a massive variety of medicinal teas etc. I got my homoeopathic birth kit from them, and they're lovely in there.

[squashy]

ABC is a combination remedy which contains Aconite, Belladonna and Chamomilla it is a great one to have in as it can be seen as a homeopathic version of calpol
Aconite is great for anything that comes on suddenly
Belladonna is for temperatures
and Chamomilla is your teething and pain remedy

This advice i pinched from an online friend who is a homeopath. I keep meaning to get hold of some as she has a site/shop, I will link if anyone is interested?

[MaisieMay]

I asked my pharmacist about this - as I was worried about calpol for exactly the same reasons.

I remember having parcetamol crushed up with jam or honey when i was little. So I asked Boots in Chorlton what they thought and she said of course it can be done - not done much anymore because you have tp be very careful to get the right doesage. She seemed to be saying the dose for a child would be a 1/4 of a paracetamol tablet BUT said I ought to check with my GP first.

I'm going in the next few days - so will ask.

Anyone else remember this when they were little?

xxxx love to you all - still in a warn glow about all the help you gave me recently

[indiaeden]

My local pharmacy sell powdered paracetomol in little paper envelopes...or at least they did. They looked very old fashioned,and were specifically for babies and children. I mixed them with yogurt for Sid once when he had an ear infection. Sid can't stomach any infant suspention type medicines and will vomit them up immediatly,but the powders worked for the pain and he didn't vomit them up.
I saw an advert for the same powders in an old knitting pattern book my friends gran gave me. I'll look them up and get back to the list.

OK found them. They are "Fennings childrens cooling powders", the advert in the 1954 copy of "Home Chat" says they are perfect for teething troubles and contain no mercury!!
I found this (http://www2.netdoctor.co.uk/medicines/100001028.html) article on them. Maybe worth asking at your local pharmacy,if I see them in my local one again,I'll grab a box. I know they were much cheaper than calpol.

Love Jeanette

[samandlula]

Thanks Jeanette, another good idea. :hug:
hello Everyone, more advice needed now..any tips on actually getting non-compliant toddler to take medicines? J has a fever again and when she is feeling unwell won't have ANYTHING to eat or drink except boob milk! (thanks god I'm still BF!)so...tried everything, there's no getting anything down her in any shape or form, we've even tried normally illegal substances like chocolate and all the usual favourites, but none of it's going in! She just clamps her mouth and refuses! Any tips would be great! xxx

[shazza06]

my son is terrible about taking meds,and the only way i can get him to take it is mix it with juice [not much so i know hes getting the meds] and then let him drink it from a usually forbidden cup..works everytime with a grin cos hes hinks hes so grown up drinking from an adult cup..p.s hes only 9 months