Do you worm your children?

[~Bec~]

At work today one of my colleagues said that she routinely gave worming medication to her children. It's something that I've never thought about and I was wondering if it's common or not to do this? Do you routinely give your children worming medication or would they have to show signs that they have worms? If you do is it because your child(ren) are in child/day care?

Thanks. :)

[cassvanm]

TBH I've never thought about it! None of my family were routinely wormed, although DH's family did it when he was a kid.
however, even though my girls are in cc 3 days per week, I've never really thought about doing it!

[NibbleCurlynBub]

We ALL have the worming medication.

If there seems to be no need for it then roughly every 4 years.

I think it is an important thing to do. :yes:

My kids have never been in childcare. :no: This reason alone would not make me choose to give my kids worming medication just as it would not affect my decision regarding vaccinations.

[missie_mack]

We do it at change of daylight savings. Doesn't prevent you getting them however they aren't always easy to identify and lets not forget how easily they are passed!!

Otherwise we medicate at times when warnings have been passed around. DH is teaching at the moment. The school newsletters often mention when there are issues and remind everyone to worm...

[Myztiks#1Fan]

this is probably going to sound studid but what does your children going to daycare have to do with worms? i have never heard of it before.

[NibbleCurlynBub]

Gaggles of kids tend to transmit stiff easier than just two or three kids.

Worms are easily passed as are nits. That is why these things are more common when there are more kids. Usually it is a bigger problem in childcare centres and schools than anywhere else.

[Myztiks#1Fan]

how are they able to pass them on? its another stupid question but i am totally clueless to this

[NibbleCurlynBub]

Nits just jump.

Worms.. kids scratch their bums.. and shake hands and play with things other kids do.

They're parasites. They just infest other people. Its what they do.

[Myztiks#1Fan]

i can understand about older toddlers passing on worms but is there a way they can while they are still in nappies? now i am worried and wondering if i should worm coop

[Benji]

I don't :o I wasn't sure if I'm meant to.. he doesn't seem to have an itchy bottom or anything.... hmmm good question.

[NibbleCurlynBub]

You don't have to.

But I would probably make the first go at around 3 years old. :yes:
I did it sooner with my DS because there is a school child around him a bit.

[Myztiks#1Fan]

what are the signs of your child having worms? i dont think coop would have them but still, i never know

[~Bec~]

what are the signs of your child having worms? i dont think coop would have them but still, i never know

I believe having a very itchy bottom is one sign but that's about all I know about worms. :o

[chicky2lala]

Id prob only do it if they were showing symptoms.

[Lastcenturymum]

I had a very wise woman tell me she did her kids regularly - especially if everyone was cranky, it was often a sign they had worms!! We check out DD1 (may be TM!) but you can see them crawling outside their anus at night. So if they are cranky, scratch their butts in their sleep it may be worth checking out. Do the whole family as if they scratch, hold things, fingers in the mouth, drink from same cup...you can never be too sure

[missie_mack]

Yes apparently they arent visably active until you have been in bed about 1.5 hrs. I heard sticky tape applied over the bottom and removed with show them too.

Unfortunately for little ones they touch toys other people have touched and have a habit of putting everything and anything in their mouth. It is probably more important to at least check them IMO

[ziggie]

You're wasting your money :p. They are not a preventative. If you worm your whole family on Monday, they can catch it on Tuesday!

I can guarantee you will know when your child has worms... They won't be able to keep their fingers away from their bottoms, they will be excessively hungry, and irritable. You can try shining a torch up their bottoms, that can make them easy to see.

[Myztiks#1Fan]

is teeth grinding a sympton? someone told me awhile ago that was a sign but i only just remembered.

[WarriorMummy]

i would only worm if they had worms- i do keep an eye out for any odd bum scratching or over eating but no i dont routinely worm my kids

[PunkyDiva]

Feed your kids pumpkin seeds, dried/roasted, they prevent worms :thumbsup: also olive leaf extract but it's expensive.

[PunkyDiva]

Pumpkin seeds are great for a lot of things. You can google, this was first one that popped up, haven't read it all but appeared comprehensive and "nerdy" :p

http://www.thegreenoil.com/pumpkinseed_healthbenefits.html

http://www.oliveleafextract.com/

[Kittylou]

i can understand about older toddlers passing on worms but is there a way they can while they are still in nappies? now i am worried and wondering if i should worm coop

Worm medication is for children over 2 years only so you don't need to worry about Coop just yet.

We don't worm routinely - only if DS shows symptoms which I think has only been once or twice and then DH, DS and I all take the medication.

[PunkyDiva]

http://www.mydr.com.au/default.asp?article=3155