When to give Tylenol?

[Odonata]

DD is on cold # who knows right now but this time she seems so much worse.  She's perpetually congested to the point where saline spray and the nose frida does nothing.  Not to mention she screams bloody murder when I try to use either.  

She's so miserable right now and so very tired but keeps waking up clawing at her face and sobbing.  (We have her in the RnP so she's elevated and we have the humidifier going.)  

I'm wondering if I should try a dose of Tylenol - I know it doesn't help at all with congestion - but I'm thinking she's overall not feeling well.  I'm wondering if she has any sinus or ear pain on top of the congestion.  

H keeps saying NO that she doesn't need it. I figure why not try it and see if it helps since she can't tell us what hurts.  Is there harm to giving a dose of Tylenol "just in case" to see if it'll help her sleep?

[VillainV]

I think a dose of Tylenol or Motrin at bedtime is okay.

[elocrates]

How old is your DD?
My barometer for giving my kids tylenol is always, 'if I had what they had, would I take something to help me feel better?' If the answer is 'yes,' I give it to them. FWIW, I rarely take extra meds myself so that might not be the best measure.

[Odonata]

Jan 26, 2015 20:45:48 GMT -5 elocrates said:

How old is your DD?
My barometer for giving my kids tylenol is always, 'if I had what they had, would I take something to help me feel better?' If the answer is 'yes,' I give it to them. FWIW, I rarely take extra meds myself so that might not be the best measure.

She'll be 4 months this Friday.  

I don't take a lot of meds, either, but I also just deal with stuff like sinus pain or a sore throat.  I'm pretty sure if she has any of these b/c of this cold she'll cry because of it and not sleep.  

If it was during the day I wouldn't jump to meds but it's bedtime and tonight is just not happening.  She had just one nap today and she needs to sleep to get well!  

[mannah]

I think you're thinking is correct--a dose won't hurt her if she doesn't need it and it could very well help.

[VillainV]

Jan 26, 2015 20:53:31 GMT -5 Odonata said:

Jan 26, 2015 20:45:48 GMT -5 elocrates said:

How old is your DD?
My barometer for giving my kids tylenol is always, 'if I had what they had, would I take something to help me feel better?' If the answer is 'yes,' I give it to them. FWIW, I rarely take extra meds myself so that might not be the best measure.

She'll be 4 months this Friday.  

I don't take a lot of meds, either, but I also just deal with stuff like sinus pain or a sore throat.  I'm pretty sure if she has any of these b/c of this cold she'll cry because of it and not sleep.  

If it was during the day I wouldn't jump to meds but it's bedtime and tonight is just not happening.  She had just one nap today and she needs to sleep to get well!  

Sorry, I forgot she was only 4 months.  Yes, I'd do Tylenol.  You should wait until 6 months to do Motrin.  

[Odonata]

OK, glad I was right in my thinking. He's with her trying to get her to sleep. I'm sitting here mad she's crying still and he's making a huge fuss about me wanting to give her something. I'm about to snatch her up and tell him to shove it.

She's so miserable right now.

[litasail]

Agree with others that I would absolutely give it. What's the downside, really?

[starlily]

I would give it.

DD2 and I both got sick at the same time just after Christmas and my throat hurt so much that it kept me awake at night. I definitely gave her Tylenol the next night when she was being fussy and irritable because I figured she was probably feeling that same type of pain.

[heygrey]

h and I were both hesitant to give meds the first few times and now we practically own stock in Motrin.

yes, I would give her Tylenol and hope it helps her sleep. even as an adult sometimes two Tylenol is the ticket to good sleep if I'm just feeling achy and out of sorts.

[Deleted]

I always give it when they seem miserable like you are describing. And it usually helps. She could have a sore throat, a headache, general sick feeling that all could be helped.
It isn't going to hurt her at all and it may help you all get more sleep