Baby Medication

[Mawood]

Hi,
my daughter is almost 5 months old and she has been exclusively breast fed so far. On Wednesday we will go to get her one vaccine and I was wondering about baby meds. I am from Germany where you give babies their tylenol or motrin not orally but you insert a little (like a "bullet" looking) long pill through the bottom. You know what I mean??? Do you have that here? I don't want to give her some cherry flavored medicine as I am sure that strong artificial flavor is not a good first taste for a baby. She will probably spit it out anyways.

Also I was wondering if it is safe to give those little homeopathic globuli (not the hylands tablets) to the baby. Are they a choking hazard?
Thanks Mamas, Maren

[firewoman]

We do have acetaminophen suppositories here. Make sure to get a generic brand as the name brands Tylenol and Mortin have had some quality control issues and have recalled some of their products. I was able to find the generic suppositories in my local drug store.

[wombatclay]

Your dr can give you a 'script for suppositories, or you may be able to ask the pharmacist. They're certainly available though!

However, some drs ask that you not use tylenol before a vaccination because it can interfer with any possible vaccine reactions and delay treatment. Our family practice dr asks that parents not medicate before shots, but that they use things like breastfeeding during and after the shot, or a cold pack and "tapping" on the injection site, to reduce pain. That way there isn't any confusion about what is (or isn't) a reaction to the vaccine itself. Not sure how you feel about that, but thought I'd mention it!

I've given homeopathic pastiles to my infants... I usually try to place one under the tongue or between the gum and check. I also use the ones designed for children since they dissolve more easily (the pastiles are sort of "puffy" or half dissolved already?). If you're worried about it though, maybe use rescue remedy or another bach remedy since those can be dripped on a nipple, paci, finger tip, or bottle for a more "natural" delivery?

[Mawood]

Thanks. I will try to get some. I just want to have them on hand if she develops a fever or is in a lot of pain. So far she hasn't been sick at all!! And I am nervous for the vaccine or her being sick the first time. I wanted to give her Ledum before the shot and can only get the regular globuli. With the flower essences I feel there is so much alcohol in the solutions. Maybe I can water some down but I only have the rescue spray. Maybe spraying it on her skin will work too. I used to do it when I got the spray first cause I hadn't read to spray it in your mouth