Parenting Newborns & Infants (0-1) Support Group
Feeding your infant and ensuring they are getting enough nutrition is one of the most important aspects of parenting during that first year. This community is dedicated to those who are nurturing a baby, whether breastfed or formula-fed.
From today's NYTimes:
"Hoping to halt the growing number of injuries to infants and toddlers, the Food and Drug Administration issued an advisory Wednesday warning parents never to give cough and cold medicines to children under the age of 2 unless instructed to do so by a doctor.
The warning is part of a broad reassessment by the agency of the safety of the popular medicines, which have been blamed for hundreds of adverse reactions and a handful of deaths in children under the age of 2.
The F.D.A. will convene a panel of independent experts on Oct. 18 to discuss whether more prohibitions or warnings are warranted. Such meetings often signal that the agency is seriously concerned about the safety of the drugs under review."
More at: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/16/health/16cough.html?_r=3&hp=&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&adxnnlx=1187284933-hPzqKcA0pBc3oqskM/oUXg&oref=slogin&oref=slogin
"Hoping to halt the growing number of injuries to infants and toddlers, the Food and Drug Administration issued an advisory Wednesday warning parents never to give cough and cold medicines to children under the age of 2 unless instructed to do so by a doctor.
The warning is part of a broad reassessment by the agency of the safety of the popular medicines, which have been blamed for hundreds of adverse reactions and a handful of deaths in children under the age of 2.
The F.D.A. will convene a panel of independent experts on Oct. 18 to discuss whether more prohibitions or warnings are warranted. Such meetings often signal that the agency is seriously concerned about the safety of the drugs under review."
More at: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/16/health/16cough.html?_r=3&hp=&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&adxnnlx=1187284933-hPzqKcA0pBc3oqskM/oUXg&oref=slogin&oref=slogin
I understand the possible ban on the medications for those under the age of two, but for the group that is petitioning for the ban to go up to age six, I think that it's unnecessary. I'm not a big believer in medication at all, but when my older daughter has had a cold I would definitely give her the recommended dosage of cold medication before bed and again before school to make her comfortable. Never anything in between, simply because I don't like giving medicine (unless there is a fever involved, of course). I've actually never given cough medicine, because I always thought that it was GOOD to cough the mucous (sp?) up, rather than to suppress it. And of course with Ellorie, I haven't had to, and have been advised against giving her anything but the suction bulb were she to get a cold. (Not looking forward to that day with 'bad-mood baby'.)
But the article is right--there a so many cold medications that look like they are for babies...pediacare, little noses, etc. But if you glance at the directions on the side panel, they are all recommended for ages two and above.
Gosh, I remember as a kid, I got sick a lot (mainly because my parents smoked like freaking chimneys) and my mom gave me a gamut of everything....Benadryl, Benalin, Robatussin, (and they all tasted like complete crap...I think that's how they worked--the horrifying taste cleared the sinuses), Tavist D...and was dispensed every four hours on the dot. I'm surprised I'm still alive. Most of the medications (or some of the ingredients in them..?) I had are now banned I think.
I guess we have to remember that colds, as uncomfortable as they are, and especially to have to see a little one suffer through, are generally not deadly, and that all of these medications alleviate symptoms, but don't cure a thing. (And most of the time, when I myself take cold medications, the symptoms are still pretty sucky...)
That said, school starts again soon....Yay germs!
The NY Times also correctly identifies an important issue in that parents do not often realize they may be "double dosing" a specific ingredient by giving different combo medications.
It is important to realize, however, that other medications may be needed (e.g. an antibiotic for an ear infection, albuterol for wheezing) so if there are any concerns or something more than the common cold is occurring, please plan a visit to your pediatrician.
Dr. J