As an nurse, I never gave my babies Tylenol. My doctor showed me the medical journal article about it while I was waiting for my newborn son's circumcision in 1975. My kids were raised on Aspirin for the few times they needed anything like that. I am angry that doctors tell pregnant mothers and mothers with newborns that Tylenol is safe for their infants. Some give a lot, too! They think that because the doc said it is okay that it cannot do any harm!
Besides, there are other ways to reduce a fever than loading them up with drugs, and if done right away, the fever will drop to a safe level on its own. There are a few exceptions, of course, but fevers ranging from 101-103 can safely be reduced by giving a tepid water bath, dressing in light-weight clothing, and drinking liquids...hot or cold.
First of all, I have to say that I am angry that as a nurse you’ve proposed that Aspirin is a safer alternative to Tylenol for children...and that you used it for your own children. ASPIRIN is NOT SAFE to give to children!! Have you heard of Reye’s Syndrome? If not, I feel that as a nurse you should be more informed. Look it up.
Epidemiologic research has shown an association between the development of Reye’s Syndrome and the use of aspirin-type products for treating the symptoms of influenza-like illnesses and chicken pox.
The U.S. Surgeon General, the Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend that aspirin and combination products containing aspirin NOT be given to children under 19 years of age during episodes of fever-causing illnesses.
Tylenol, when used in appropriate doses, is a safe medication (although there are always risks associated with ANY medication, no matter how benign it may seem).
As a Pediatrician, I always inform parents of the dangers associated with giving too much Tylenol. You’ve inferred that doctors are wrong by telling pregnant mothers and mothers with newborns that Tylenol is safe for their infants. That is not the case. Tylenol has been proven to be a safe medication when used appropriately. I do my best, as do most other physicians, to assure that my patient’s are given the appropriate doses of medications and that ANY medication is not over used.
Perhaps instead of giving advice that has absolutely no scientific basis of fact, you should instead educate yourself. The information regarding Reye’s Syndrome and Aspirin has been very well known since the 1970’s!