MOMania

By Jesse's Girl

October 8, 2008 9:30 AM | Link to this

I’ve honestly never used cold meds on the kids. A really steamy shower has always done the trick for stuffy noses and for coughs, we just tough it out. The oldest and The Boy have had asthma issues in the past. However, treating that is different I feel. I am not a big proponent of medication….for kids or adults.

Microwaves…seriously? I’ve never thought about it. But we don’t really use ours much. It came with the house and just sort of sits there. We use it mostly around the holidays to warm up what was cooked first. I don’t think the kids have ever turned it on.

FANS ARE FABULOUS!!!!! I use one for The Boy still…..if you turn it off, he wakes right up. It has proven to be an incredible tool to soothe the children…especially as infants. The fact that it helps ward off SIDS is just gravy.

By Jeff

October 8, 2008 9:50 AM | Link to this

Microwaves:

It won’t take but a time or two before the kid realizes ‘This is HOT!’ and that he probably should wait a few minutes for it to cool down. But our microwave is also above the stove, at a level that even T has to reach up for. So I’m not so worried. By the time the kid is tall enough to actually reach it, he should be old enough to know how to use it (though possibly not old enough to be trusted with the stove/oven).

Fans: T and I currently use TWO in our bedroom (ceiling and a floor tower), and all bedrooms have at least the ceiling fan in our house. I’ve found that they provide a good ‘white’ noise to help sleep.

On the ‘sleep noise’ topic: This is one where T and I will probably have a few arguments, as I don’t want our kid to HAVE to have a TV or radio on to sleep - and T keeps the TV on in our room all night because she can’t sleep otherwise. (I finally got her to at least lower the volume to where it is just barely perceptible.)

By new mom

October 8, 2008 9:56 AM | Link to this

Echoing JG’s comments—I’m not a big fan of medicines for our one-year old. When she has a stuffy nose, we use ‘little noses’ saline drops and the bulb syringe. She doesn’t like it, but it can clear out her nose easliy. We use her humidifier every night, to try to prevent the stuffy noses. Also, we’ve used baby vicks rub on her chest to help her sleep. (I used it too when I was pregnant and searching for non-medical cold treatments. The baby vicks actually smells pretty good, like lavender and rosemary)

We haven’t had the microwave be an issue yet, and ours is over our stove, so it won’t be an easy temptation for her. Right now her favorite toy in the entire house is the dishwasher! She seems to sense when it’s open, and wants to climb on the door and find knives to pull out. This baby keeps us on our toes!

We use baby girl’s ceiling fan a lot, I have always liked the idea of having air circulating in her room, plus the whirrr is soothing. Between the fan and the humidifer, she has a nice soothing hummmm going on in her bedroom.

By Jesse's Girl

October 8, 2008 10:04 AM | Link to this

Jeff…..you will appreciate the white noise when you have a child. Thats all they hear in the womb. In my opinion…its asking a bit much of an infant to expect them to adjust to quiet after months of sloshing tummy-water, moms voice and the like. You’ll see….a fan in the room…blowing away from the baby…will save you a lot of tip-toeing.

By new mom

October 8, 2008 10:12 AM | Link to this

Yeah, he’ll also learn really fast exactly where to step down the hall to avoid the little creaks in the floorboards, that you never noticed until you have a newborn that you FINALLY got to sleep! We looked like those guys in the movies, stepping over the lasers to avoid getting caught….

By Katie

October 8, 2008 10:31 AM | Link to this

I’ve only used Cold Meds a few times with the kids - mostly just plain tylenol or advil to take away the symptoms.

My 5 year old daughter will put things in the microwave for me, and tell me when it is done - she knows it is hot and not to take things out.

Fans: We have had fans in both kids rooms since they were born, to block out the other noise in the house. Now, if one of their fans ( floor fans) are off, they ask for it to be on!

By JATL

October 8, 2008 10:32 AM | Link to this

I say BS to no cough/cold meds for kids under 4! My son is 2 1/2, and if I had not had children’s Robitussin and Pediacare for him last fall and winter, we would have all gone insane from sleep deprivation. His doctor gave me the amended dosage for a child his size and said she didn’t think it did anything to help, but there is DEFINITELY a difference with and without meds! Think of yourself -when I have a cough and cold, I am greatly helped by antihistimines and cough suppressants -why shouldn’t my child be helped? This is all about liability because a bunch of stupid parents out there overdosed their children because they’re either too dumb to correctly read labels or they think -“Gee, if one tspn makes him sleep for 3 hours, 2 tspns will knock him out for the night.”

As far as microwaves -DUH -who would let a little child pull hot steaming food or water out of a microwave? Now FANS -I have slept with a fan in my room since I was a child. I love them and hate to sleep without one. My children always sleep in a cradle in our bedroom for about 4 months, so they get the benefit then of the fan. With this evidence, I will probably put a fan in the new one’s room when he starts sleeping in his crib.

By Samatva

October 8, 2008 10:37 AM | Link to this

Cold meds only treat symptoms (i.e. our defense mechanisms). I’m glad I learned young to suffer through those symptoms - I think my immune system is stronger as a result.

SIDS and fans - fans are a good idea, but the study needs to be repeated - could easily be a spurious result, especially since pacifier use dramatically affects the fan’s benefit.

By Barry

October 8, 2008 10:42 AM | Link to this

The best white noise generator we’ve found is a portable ceramic heater, the kind that lets you turn it on to “fan only.” Not all of them allow you to do that, so look for that’s an important distinction. They make a great noise and don’t make the room drafty like a fan does.

By Jeff

October 8, 2008 10:51 AM | Link to this

JG:

The fan/other ‘white’ noise, I actually don’t mind at all. I find it as soothing as the kids would, probably!

Where T and I disagree is the ACTUAL noise - TV/radios,etc.

Of course, I also want them to be able to sleep with ZERO man-made noise, but that is a more survival-oriented skill that is decently easily taught on camping trips and not something I would be likely to enforce very often at home.

By not so new mom

October 8, 2008 10:54 AM | Link to this

The last time I tried to give my oldest one sudafed, he was downright suicidal. It’s really scary to have your happy, balanced 4 year old come up to you and say, “mommy, I don’t think I want to live anymore…” Daddy hasn’t been happy with the ban, but we’ve made it anyway. We do use a humidifier at night and zyrtec a little now that he’s older, but when he was small, it gave him night terrors. Some of the immune support supplements (like Airborne, etc.) cut the time and that helps. Keeping them on regular probiotics can keep the cold away entirely. Yogurt works well and gets them calcium (yaa!!!) but there are many chewable probiotics that kids think of as candy. Make sure you keep any probiotics in the fridge after you open them. They only work if they’re alive to do the job.

As for the microwave, training and experience is the key. When my grandmother was 5 (in the 1920’s) she was responsible for making biscuits for a household of 15 people on a cast iron stove. I’m sure she wasn’t made responsible for that task without a fair amount of training, and I’m also sure that training involved uncomfortable or even painful experiences along the way—that’s what it took to survive, and she made it to 89. I’m not sure that there is anything associated with a child’s development that would prohibit using a microwave as soon as they are coordinated to handle a loaded plate on their own as long as they have been thoroughly trained and watched for compliance over the course of several weeks. Most parents don’t have the time or understanding of that process and probably shouldn’t have their kids anywhere near a dangerous appliance. Some of them shouldn’t be near that kind of appliance themselves. The key is: You get what you expect and inspect. That takes an investment of time and energy that can pay off well both in self confidence and in real competency (which, I think, is more important). Kids really do want to be a necessary part of a family and they rarely get that chance in our society because we rarely take the time to build the necessary competency into them—and then we wonder why they’re still dependent on their parents well into their late 20’s. It takes a lot more work to teach a child how to wash the dishes than to do them yourself, but once it’s learned, everyone benefits. it is harder with the second one than the first, but if you do the first one right, they often can help you with training the second.

Ok. I’m done with my soap-box…

By AlbyD

October 8, 2008 10:54 AM | Link to this

Used a ceiling fan when my child was a baby for no other reason than it was there and it amused her.

Never had an issue with microwaves.

Re: the cold/cough meds. I agree with the article writer that the meds do seem to work (at any rate, the docs don’t say they don’t, just that they don’t know). I wonder if this is a fabricated danger. The article I read said the meds are safe when dosed and used correctly, and that the problems were all either from overdosage or the kids getting into the cough syrup by themselves. Furthermore, a nose bulb and steam do nothing for a child’s sleep, and I don’t think suffering really improves an immune system. When you get a cold, your body becomes immune to that virus, whether or not you take meds.

By cdillard

October 8, 2008 10:54 AM | Link to this

I read a CNN article about the SIDS/fan association yesterday. We have been using my son’s ceiling fan since he came home four months ago (at first, just because it was summer and we wanted to make sure he didn’t overheat—a risk factor for SIDS). Now that he is spitting out his pacifier, rolling onto his tummy to sleep and bumping the sides of the crib (resulting in us reinstating the bumper pad), I’m glad to hear about this study. At least I know the ceiling fan is one preventive measure I can take that won’t be disrupted after I put him to bed.

By Sharon

October 8, 2008 10:58 AM | Link to this

I say BS to the no relief for children with cough/colds either. Just let them poor kids cough all night until their throats are raw and their chest hurts, not to mention getting absolutely no rest? And let their noses run day after day, week after week, month after month with allergies? Are they kidding? How can a child learn anything at school when they are sneezing and coughing all the time? I can’t believe it is MORE healthy for them to feel miserable and worn out.

By Greg

October 8, 2008 11:02 AM | Link to this

Please check your facts before giving parents medical information. Immediately after the paragraph discussing antihistimines you brought up “pseuphedrine”. Pseudophedrine HCL (you have to show ID to buy now)is not an antihistimine but a decongestant and it tends to have a stimulant like side effect not a “whacking out” side effect.

By Fan

October 8, 2008 11:02 AM | Link to this

The problem with children and cold meds is not the medicine. IT IS THE ILLITERATE PARENTS THAT DO NOT KNOW HOW TO READ THE INSTRUCTIONS. THERE ARE DOSAGE GUIDELINES PEOPLE. FOLLOW THEM!!!, AND YOUR CHILDREN WILL NOT END UP IN A HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOM!!

By Eat a bullet

October 8, 2008 11:09 AM | Link to this

I agree with the no cough med’s for kids. I find putting them in a microwave for 2-3 min’s with the ceiling fan on high does the trick of curing any cold and preventing SIDS.

By Maria

October 8, 2008 11:09 AM | Link to this

I think the fear with the OTC medicines vary . Some people will try to treat a child at home who should been seen by an MD. Others will whip out the medicine every time the child sniffles. ALthough you’d like to think that most people use common sense, the reality os that a lot of people are oblivious. I think that meds do work sometimes for kids, but the key is that you should be listening to your pediatrician. Buying meds OTC cuts the doctor out and leads people to make decisions which are essentially guesses. I have always consulted with my pediatrician before giving anything, except Tylenol for a fever. She is usually OK with giving Dimetapp or the like to get some sleep at night, but always encourages me to bring the children to her if the cough lasts for more than a few days.

By Stacey

October 8, 2008 11:10 AM | Link to this

My son’s doctor told me to give him plain Robitussin at night (for really bad coughs) starting when he was two. Once he turned 6 he told me I could give him Robitussin DM for chest congestion. My son is also has asthma but it is well controlled until he catches a cold. He uses a nebulizer for his asthma when he has a cold.

We use our microwave daily. I allow my son to set the timer but he knows he isn’t allowed to take the food out because it’s hot. I burned his hand with hot food when he was 2 and the lesson still sticks with him. Plus, I burn myself taking something out of the oven at least once a month and he has seen all of my scars. :)

Jeff…T sounds like my husband. He also has to have a fan and the TV on all year and my son seems to take after him. It took me about 6 months to get used to the TV but now it doesn’t bother me as long as it’s on when I fall alsleep. I turn the volume down after he falls asleep because he has the volume so high that it sounds like a movie theater (we don’t have surround sound). As far as the fan is concerned, I am cold natured so I sleep under a comforter all year. My husband and son both just sleep under a sheet, if that. I cover my son up before I go to bed and he usually kicks the cover off before I can even leave the room. His fan stays on low but I can always tell when he has gotten cold in the middle of the night because he pulls the covers up over himself.

By new mom

October 8, 2008 11:10 AM | Link to this

cdillard—we were torn on the bumper issue too. I hated the idea of our little one bumping her head, but as she became more mobile, we’d find her arms and legs occasionally sticking out of her crib. We use a product called a breathable bumper, which is made of mesh and won’t contribute to any suffocation risks. We had read that the chances of any serious injuries with bumping heads or limbs were far less severe than the SIDS risk.

I don’t know if that helps or not, but I thought I’d pass it on :)

re: cold medicines, I think it’s important to do what is right for your child, because every child is different. Our combination of a flu shot (for me last fall, as I was breastfeeding, and hopefully now this fall for her), saline drops, bulb syringe, vicks baby rub, and a humidifier always did the trick for our little one. On the occasions that she did wake during the night, we would use saline + suction and remove the offending boogers, and she would go right back to sleep.

But I think we parents should always check with our pediatrician (or the ped. nurse on call) to get advice before just administering medicines, that’s what they are there for! Our nurseline nurse is probably sick of me calling, but she says that all new moms call, that’s why they are there, and she always gives good advice and is reassuring. :)

By Mark

October 8, 2008 11:14 AM | Link to this

Just make the snotty nosed little spawns drink the whole bottle.

By new mom

October 8, 2008 11:15 AM | Link to this

cdillard—we were torn on the bumper issue too. I hated the idea of our little one bumping her head, but as she became more mobile, we’d find her arms and legs occasionally sticking out of her crib. We use a product called a breathable bumper, which is made of mesh and won’t contribute to any suffocation risks. We had read that the chances of any serious injuries with bumping heads or limbs were far less severe than the SIDS risk.

I don’t know if that helps or not, but I thought I’d pass it on :)

re: cold medicines, I think it’s important to do what is right for your child, because every child is different. Our combination of a flu shot (for me last fall, as I was breastfeeding, and hopefully now this fall for her), saline drops, bulb syringe, vicks baby rub, and a humidifier always did the trick for our little one. On the occasions that she did wake during the night, we would use saline + suction and remove the offending boogers, and she would go right back to sleep.

But I think we parents should always check with our pediatrician (or the ped. nurse on call) to get advice before just administering medicines, that’s what they are there for! Our nurseline nurse is probably sick of me calling, but she says that all new moms call, that’s why they are there, and she always gives good advice and is reassuring. :)

By MomsRule

October 8, 2008 11:19 AM | Link to this

I called a nurseline one time when my infant had something in his eye, it was a small speck and looked like it was stuck to his eyeball. It did not appear to be bothering him at all.

Anway, She told me to put his eye under the kitchen faucet to wash it out.

I’m not kidding.

I haven’t called a nurse line since.

By new mom

October 8, 2008 11:22 AM | Link to this

Sorry about the double posts—I got an error message, tried it again, then both posted!

By Mark

October 8, 2008 11:27 AM | Link to this

Then stick the little brats in the microwave on high for about 5 minutes. That will keep the brats away from the microwave.

By new mom

October 8, 2008 11:32 AM | Link to this

Momsrule—I laughed when I read that, but then read the ‘i’m not kidding’…wow! Just the mental picture of sticking your infant uder the kitchen faucet…

Our nurse at our pediatrian’s office’s nurseline has been great—when our little one had tummy troubles and refused to drink pedialyte or gatorade, she suggested making popcicles out of it. (I guess I should have thought of that on my own!) But our girl would suck on those gatorade icecubes to her heart’s content.

By LS

October 8, 2008 11:41 AM | Link to this

Doesn’t work for kids but magically works for adults? I don’t buy it for a minute. Stuffy nose=no sleep=unhappy, whiny child. Cold medicine DOES act as a decongestant, and kids sleep. I use Mucinex, not Robitussin, because it is an expectorant, not a suppressant. But I do not think people should use Benadryl to magically make kids sleep. I am all for using medicine for what it is intended!

By Becky

October 8, 2008 11:42 AM | Link to this

I’ve always had a fan in the bedroom where the kids sleep..As for sniffles, I give the kids Triaminic, based on what the pharmist (sp) said..As for the microwave, they know how to use it, but they also know not to use it when I’m not there with them..

To all that say they aren’t worried because the mocrowave is over the stove, kids will pull up a chair to the stove & climb, so you still need to be careful..

My two are 6 & they have been cooking with me since they were about 4, so I think they are more aware of being burnt than maybe some children are..

By kaekae

October 8, 2008 12:00 PM | Link to this

I don’t use OTC cold medicines for myself, why would I use it for children? As an adult, I find that most cold medicines make my cough worse at night - decongestents break up congestion and causes it to irritate my throat. I do take antihistimines, but only if I am going to the Dentist. I will take what the doctor prescribes, but that’s it - 99% of the time, I cough during the day and sleep at night. Works for me. Irritates my coworkers - but its bronchitis, I’m not contagious so who cares.

By Ernest Adams

October 8, 2008 12:01 PM | Link to this

“Anyways” is not a word. I can’t believe the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, a respected newspaper, would give this illiterate a forum in which to perpetuate such basic incompetence with English. I hope she doesn’t check her kids’ homework.

By Rob

October 8, 2008 12:03 PM | Link to this

You definitely shouldn’t let your child use a microwave until he or she is at least 20 years old.

By Justin

October 8, 2008 12:17 PM | Link to this

Cold Medicine We don’t give our son (18mths) any of that stuff. He gets antibiotics when he has an ear infection (twice now). The warm bath and soup helps the best with a cold. Old school. Microwaves Its like having the kid play with the stove.. I know better then that.. Here’s a book of matches. Fan My boy started sleeping with a fan over the summer.. We found he slept better with a little one by the window. Whether it was the drone of the fan or the gentle breeze, it worked well, and we slept thru the night..

By Sugar

October 8, 2008 12:26 PM | Link to this

Does anyone use holistic treatments? I cannot stand OTC, and will look for an herbal remedy.

Fans - I have two in the bedroom, ceiling and floor models. I have ceiling fans in every room in my house, except the kitchen. They run 24/7/365. In the winter we reverse the fan to blow up to circulate the heat that gathers at the top, we have cathedral ceilings in the living room and master bedroom. And we always sleep with the bathroom window open, regardless of how hot or cold it is. I need some sort of fresh air.

By jujubees

October 8, 2008 12:32 PM | Link to this

for those whose parents neglected to teach them the golden rule here it is: “IF YOU DO NOT HAVE ANYTHING NICE TO SAY, DO NOT SAY ANYTHING” Follow that and you will likely get ahead in life and perhaps not feel the need to post idiotic things on a blog (where you have nothing of value to add) for lack of better things to do. Now go forth and find meaningful work for your idle fingers.

By Theresa

October 8, 2008 12:45 PM | Link to this

Greg — I am completely aware that pseuphedrine is a decongestant and is a stimulant which is why you have to sign for it to even buy it —- It can make your heart race, can make you sleepless — that’s what I mean by whacked out — We had a nasal spray that had it in it that we used with my first child — the poor child couldn’t sleep at all on it - finally figured it out it was the pseuphedrine — I haven’t given that to a child in more than six years — Zyrtec is an antihistimine but generally people who are trying to put their child to sleep unnaturally give them Benadryl because for many people it puts them to sleep —- However, in children it can have the opposite affect! That’s why they’re worried about antihistimines.

By Theresa

October 8, 2008 12:48 PM | Link to this

Greg — I am completely aware that pseuphedrine is a decongestant and is a stimulant which is why you have to sign for it to even buy it —- It can make your heart race, can make you sleepless — that’s what I mean by whacked out — We had a nasal spray that had it in it that we used with my first child — the poor child couldn’t sleep at all on it - finally figured it out it was the pseuphedrine — I haven’t given that to a child in more than six years — Zyrtec is an antihistimine but generally people who are trying to put their child to sleep unnaturally give them Benadryl because for many people it puts them to sleep —- However, in children it can have the opposite affect! That’s why they’re worried about antihistimines.

By HB

October 8, 2008 1:09 PM | Link to this

“Momsrule—I laughed when I read that, but then read the ‘i’m not kidding’…wow! Just the mental picture of sticking your infant uder the kitchen faucet…”

Ok, no lie, this has happened to me. A little girl I was babysitting suddenly got really excited about the baby sweet potatoes I was feeding her, and as I brought the spoon up to her mouth, she lunged for it and ended up with an eyefull. I mean her lashes, the eyelid rim, everything was covered. Despite having 10 years sitting experience, for a moment I was stumped — this was a totally new event for me. After thinking a minute I flashed on the high school chem lab safety video and decided an eyewash to clean out without rubbing was in order, so I leaned her over the sink and gently splashed water onto her eye until it was clean (couldn’t comfortably get her eye under the faucet). She was a great sport about it, seemed a little confused about the new game but was cool with it, and soon all was well again.

By Jesse's Girl

October 8, 2008 1:31 PM | Link to this

Jeff….”survival oriented skill”? What the hell are you planning on having…a baby or a Navy Seal?

By serta

October 8, 2008 1:31 PM | Link to this

microwave???!!

Of course there is a danger!

Still, most kids wont fit in a microwave, so they should be safe!

By CP

October 8, 2008 1:36 PM | Link to this

I guess I’m the type of parent that would rather let their kids “tough it out” than give them meds. I’m that way myself too. I don’t mind giving them something but I want to make sure they really need it first. It usually takes a few days of them feeling really bad for me to take them to the doctor’s office. Fever, of course, gets treated right away. Luckily we’re all hardly ever sick.

As far as microwaves & kids go, I’ve only recently started to let my son use it - only to open the door once it’s finished. It’s above the stove which I think does help. I’m trying to show him (& his sisters) how to cook & be careful in the kitchen. Right now it’s just letting them watch me fix dinner (or whatever) but I expect them to help out when they’re old enough to do so.

We have fans in almost every room in our house but they rarely get used. The kids have their white noise with the cars driving by outside & the birds singing. They’ve all been really good sleepers. The baby is the one that scares the you-know-what out of me. She will take her blanket & wrap her head completely up in it. I’d have to check on her throughout the night & during her naps to make sure she didn’t suffocate herself. Thankfully, that was a phase since she’s not done it for about 2 months now.

By Alley

October 8, 2008 1:37 PM | Link to this

of course they work for kids, and thank god they do. Would they rather the child get congested and then an infection and have to go for antibiotics constantly? Some kids do. I think the benefits when used wisely, outweigh the risks.

By Jeff

October 8, 2008 1:41 PM | Link to this

JG:

One of my own qualities I hold in highest regard is my ability to adapt to and survive in ANY situation I find myself in.

My one goal as a parent is to pass THAT quality above all others to my kids.

Furthermore, sleeping in dead silence isn’t something they would normally HAVE to experience in current situations, therefore I can reserve those experiences for camping, get the kid used to doing it when camping, and the ability should hold so that the kid can use the skill as needed - camping or otherwise.

By Max

October 8, 2008 1:49 PM | Link to this

We always used Dimetapp and cough medicines when our kids were under age 4. Did they clear the congestion or stop the cough? Hard to say. But they definitely make kids sleepy, and that alone might be huge help, just because they can get plenty of fluids and SLEEP - which is what they really need. So, should we just be giving them something to make them sleep? Sounds crazy, but that’s what Dimetapp does!

By Jesse's Girl

October 8, 2008 1:59 PM | Link to this

Jeff….you’re weird.

By MomsRule

October 8, 2008 2:15 PM | Link to this

HB, I understand what you are saying re gently washing the little one’s eye. Unfortunately, that is not what this particular nurse was suggesting. I questioned her repeatedly (as I could not believe what I was hearing.)

The nurse emphatically insisted I put my 3 week olds entire head under the sink and hold it there (he will struggle) and let the running water (on higher pressure) wash his eye.

She did not recommend “gently splashing” water from the kitchen sink into his eye to flush it.

By Ray

October 8, 2008 2:16 PM | Link to this

Thankfully, all my children have been healthy and happy. Our household usually gets a bad cold in the summer and winter. There are millions of virus variations, that is why the “cold virus” will probably never be eradicated. It mutates constantly. Medication only handles the symptoms caused by the virus. A virus has a set life cycle of about 10 days total. Ever notice how you start to feel a little “off” at the beginning? The virus is ramping up it’s operation. Usually, you are sick before you know it, and now must deal with it.

We use medication when necessary - meaning when symptoms are so bad as to take away from being able to sleep at all or being in pain. It is important, because if you can’t sleep, you can’t focus in school, etc. Being worn out and physically distressed helps to exacerbate sickness. Just look at what stress does to people! Being physically healthy helps to weather and get over colds easier, but you can still get sick.

We read warning labels, as well as medical studies on the ingredients. Also, knowing your family history to medications and how the children have previously reacted in the past is important. Fortunately, we have not needed to worry about side effects. There is always risk in what one does in life. Choose wisely.

Keep in mind that a lot of these cold and ADD drugs are stimulants, but in developing children some stimulants act as depressants. Some stimulants over stimulate. 2 of our kids can’t have any antihistamines at night, the third is not affected. That is one of the problems, there are not enough studies to understand how many drugs work, because people generally don’t want to put children in any kind of risk. But what do we do when problems arise and the answer is unknown? Best judgement, guess, and of course consult your doctor, nurse, research, and contact others with the same experiences.

Microwaves (and other appliances) are a non-issue for us. We teach them how to be used and respected, as skill level of each child increases. We try to do this for all aspects of life. It is important for children to learn how everything works and affects them.

By motherjanegoose

October 8, 2008 2:16 PM | Link to this

Wow… ugliness and I have not even been on the blog.

I am THRILLED that I do not have little children now…if this is the new rule about meds. Wish I could check in with our first Pediatrician ( father of 4 boys before I met him) who told me that a little Dimetapp never hurt anyone. He suggested giving just a tad if a child was cranky or going on a long car trip …to knock them out. What about the theory that REST is important to get well? My won sister, who is a nurse, always kept a bottle of that codiene cough syrup that you had to sign for at the Pharmacy…I rarely used it but she swore by it. Nurse and Mother do you have any ideas ? I will have to check in with my Pharmacy Tech son ( no cracks lakerat). He really gives his Dad and I the scoop on any medications we need to take…we love it! Enjoy the rain all!

By Lisa

October 8, 2008 2:23 PM | Link to this

I have a 19 month old and I having been using allergy medicine for him for 5 months. I only have to give it to him at night and only for about 3 days at a time. he has really bad allergies just like his daddy and his mommy. I know it helps him sleep better. Otherwise, he would be coughing so hard he would throw up and then I would have to give him a bath and change his sheets which wakes him up even more.

By just sayin'

October 8, 2008 2:35 PM | Link to this

I can’t believe you all have yet to call out jujubees on misquoting the Golden Rule - things like that usually get pointed out pretty quickly on this blog…

By lakerat

October 8, 2008 2:36 PM | Link to this

MJGoose -

No “cracks” warranted - you are seeking needed advice from him, and I do that from my med school son often!

By Jeff

October 8, 2008 2:46 PM | Link to this

JG:

But if i wasn’t so weird, would I be near as interesting?

:P

By Kathy

October 8, 2008 3:08 PM | Link to this

We use Benadryl (recommended by the doc) for the runny nose and other cold symptoms. Fortunately, (knock on wood) in Little E’s 3 years she has never had anything more serious than a little cold (she has had 2 ear infections, but those were treated with antibiotics). My husband is a bit of a germophobe (I wash my hands but he is obsessive about is), so we are training her early to wash often.

As far as the microwave, she cannot even reach it (above the stove) so I am not even worried about that yet. Mark….did you really just write “stick the little brats in the microwave”?!?!?!? The fact that you even had that thought makes me scared.

By Penguinmom

October 8, 2008 4:18 PM | Link to this

Microwaves: Our daugher pulled tomato sauce out of the microwave (without our permission) and spilled it on her leg, she ended up with a small blister where the first splatter hit. She and all the other kids know to be careful of the microwave things. We let them put things in, but only the oldest or an adult is supposed to take things out.

Cold Medicine: I use cold medicines on my kids because I hate to see them suffering. I’ve seen the OTC medicines work to let the kids rest better. Resting is part of the healing process so I’ll continue to give the medicines to my kids. (Fortunately, they’ve all now passed the 4yrold mark).

Sudafed affects people in different ways. Never made my kids whacked out so I’ve used it when I can tell they are super stuffy. Otherwise, they could end up with a sinus infection.

Fans: Wouldnt’ it be wonderful if that’s all it took to get rid of this terrible problem.

By Pat

October 8, 2008 4:26 PM | Link to this

The purpose and effectiveness of the fan is not the white noise at all. It just keeps the air moving around the child and prevents them from suffocating in their own exhaled air. CO2 is heavier than air and will pool in the little space between a child’s face and their pillow or folded arm. Or it may pool in a crib or small bed with solid walls. Under the right circumstances, the concentration might be enough to cause a problem.

The fan simply keeps the air stirred up so this cannot happen.

By Michael

October 8, 2008 5:45 PM | Link to this

Dimetapp was awesome! My baby turned 24 in March, is a financial analyst with Navistar, and got married four days ago in Nags Head. Without the purple medicine, I guess he would be a scientist?

By nurse&mother

October 9, 2008 7:48 AM | Link to this

Penguinmom-you are absolutely right about the sinus infection part. My daughter had lots of trouble with her sinuses. When she got a cold, if she didn’t have meds to help dry it up it would turn into a sinus infection.

I do think that cold meds work. I suspect the problem lies (as several parents have mentioned earlier) with some parents over dosing their children or misusing the products. I can definitely tell when I have given my children decongestants to help dry them up. They don’t sniffle as much and their coughs diminish. I also use saline and a bulb syringe for the 2.5 yo. I think that has helped us tremendously with preventing a sinus infection.

Pseudoephedrine helps my children the best. I will admit some of the new formulations of cold meds do not work nearly as well and I’d rather not bother with them. Prescription Pancough works wonders for my son. Ironically, I came home last night to hear him coughing. Sounds like he has a cold.

By nurse&mother

October 9, 2008 8:06 AM | Link to this

I prefer meds with an expectorant as well as a decongestant like old formulation of Robitussin CF. I’m not sure if the ingredients are the same as 5 years ago.