Kiddo's first introduction to medicine was when she got her sixth week jab. I had been warned by everyone about the kisirani that accompanies a jab. Give her before you go to hospital. Give her after coming from hospital. Give her before and after the clinic trip. The doctor said, don't give her anything. So I listened to the doctor and spent the remaining part of day and entire night pacing with Kiddo. On her 9th week jabs, I bought a bottle of Calpol from the pharmacy on my way from the clinic. And the love affair with Calpol and medicine in general begun.
Even at her weakest, a bottle of Calpol will bring a sparkle in her eyes. Other times she'll jump on the bed with excitement in anticipation of the 5ml of pink syrup. It was a strange moment one day when she asked for Calpol by name (I was giving her Panadol). It was amusing at first and and I may have called a few people to share the amusement. Later though, I had a rethink after realizing that she couldn't say a host of other words but could demand with no baby-speak accent for her Calpol. And It's not just Kiddo, her cousins and friends of same age loooove medicine. You would think they are clamoring for Kinder Joy eggs when medicine is being administered.
I don't get it. I mean, how many adults do the dab and howl like wolves when they have a headache or a burning fever and a blister of Panadol is offered?
I bet it is the sugar and in Calpol's case sugar and the strawberry flavour. It tastes like strawberry KSLs. Other brands have that sugar and strawberry flavour but they leave a strong aftertaste because the flavouring is of cheap quality. Yes, I have tasted a lot of children's paracetamol syrup. I know many parent's have. I also know that like me, they have worried and obsessed about how dangerous it would be if tots figures how to open that childproof cap (never mind that oft times they are adult-proof too) and therefore go to extraordinary lengths to keep medicine away from the reach of children. And no, that is not a suggestion. Keep medicine away from the reach of children.
Anyway, I thank God that we don't use Calpol or any other medicine as often as most kids do. However, for the love of medicine, I do give her a spoonful of honey after she takes her Scotts.
Even at her weakest, a bottle of Calpol will bring a sparkle in her eyes. Other times she'll jump on the bed with excitement in anticipation of the 5ml of pink syrup. It was a strange moment one day when she asked for Calpol by name (I was giving her Panadol). It was amusing at first and and I may have called a few people to share the amusement. Later though, I had a rethink after realizing that she couldn't say a host of other words but could demand with no baby-speak accent for her Calpol. And It's not just Kiddo, her cousins and friends of same age loooove medicine. You would think they are clamoring for Kinder Joy eggs when medicine is being administered.
I don't get it. I mean, how many adults do the dab and howl like wolves when they have a headache or a burning fever and a blister of Panadol is offered?
I bet it is the sugar and in Calpol's case sugar and the strawberry flavour. It tastes like strawberry KSLs. Other brands have that sugar and strawberry flavour but they leave a strong aftertaste because the flavouring is of cheap quality. Yes, I have tasted a lot of children's paracetamol syrup. I know many parent's have. I also know that like me, they have worried and obsessed about how dangerous it would be if tots figures how to open that childproof cap (never mind that oft times they are adult-proof too) and therefore go to extraordinary lengths to keep medicine away from the reach of children. And no, that is not a suggestion. Keep medicine away from the reach of children.
Anyway, I thank God that we don't use Calpol or any other medicine as often as most kids do. However, for the love of medicine, I do give her a spoonful of honey after she takes her Scotts.