Nurofen - habit forming???

[Wivi]

Got a question for you all. We are having an interesting issue with Will at night. For the past week he has been a little grizzly and he has had a bit of Nurofen - mostly just before bed. The problem I have is that when he doesn't have the Nurofen he is waking up crying and won't go back to sleep! This happened earlier in the week but I tried again last night and it happened again. We tried letting him cry for a bit and then going in to resettle etc but he ended up howling and after an hour I picked him up out of his cot and he juts clung to me sobbing. I felt so mean! We gave him the Nurofen then but he still took another hour to go back to sleep.

The nights I have given him the Nurofen it has been one dose only before bed and he hasn't woken for 12 hours.

I asked the CHN on Friday and she said it was Ok to do this for a while as he seems to be teething. I am worried it is a habit but then he doesn't have any trouble actually going to sleep without it. Anyone got any ideas? I am afraid of forming a habit - I don't even know if this can happen with Nurofen. Does anyone have any experience with this?

[Mummamoo]

I don't know if it's habit forming. I coud be a case of Will actually having some genuine discomfort and the neurofen is easing it, making it easier for him to sleep. And when he is not dosed up he is uncomfortable ?

Both my girls get croup quite badly in winter, I seriously - there are times I think they LIVE on neuorfen (and other drugs!!), but once the bout has cleared up, they go from neurofen 3 or 4 times a day to none, and they are fine.

But perhaps have a chat to your GP or pharmacist about it.

[FourAngelKisses]

I agree with Sara, I don't think it is habit forming. I'd say he is having some pain or discomfort and the nurofen helps him to get to sleep. I was giving Matthew Nurofen 3 times a day for a week at one stage (on Dr's advice for tonsilitis) and when I stopped it, he had no trouble sleeping.

[rynosmum]

It sounds like Bubba still has some type of pain. Have you taken him back to a Dr as yet?

My DS was on Nurofen for about a week when he had a major ear infection about 18 months ago. It's an effective drug but not great on the system, especially an infant. From what I understand, it can be harmful to their digestive system if used over a long period.

Have him checked by the Dr again, just to make sure that they are satisifed that the Nurofen isn't masking pain something more serious. It is probably just his teething- I know you've spoken to the CHN but see a Dr if you can.:hugs:

[kadownie]

I use it when my bubs are teething or in pain- just remember that you can't give it on an empty stomach as it can cause problems- in the middle of the night if you're not giving a feed I would probably use panadol as it's fine on an empty stomach.

I have a friend who's bub had a intestinal bleed due to nurofen- so I'm careful with it.

[Wivi]

Thanks for your replies. I didn't know about the empty stomach thing - I will be careful with that.

I haven't been giving it to him during the day and he seemed fine yesterday which is why we tried not giving it to him at night. I agree, my instincts tell me that something is up as he generally a great sleeper. I think I will take him to the doctor this week if it doesn't settle down.

Thank you and I'll let you know how I go with it! (at 9.5 months with no teeth though, it probably is that!)

[Cupcake]

My DD is getting the last 2 of her 2yr molars, I was giving her nurofen & she was getting really runny poo's the Dr said to just use Panadol for a bit as nurofen is quite strong.
I do realise nurofen is better but the panodol worked fine :thumbsup: & I also give her those Hyland teething Tablets on there own(no panadol/nurofen) & I have found they work really well.

[BiLL|z0r]

If there's no teeth yet at 9.5mths then you can almost guarentee it's that. Are the cheeks red or runny poos as well. Usually tell tale signs.

Also at that age they aren't used to teething yet, whilst if they start younger (like DS started at 4mths) then by 9.5mths they are at least used to the sensation although it still does hurt.