Just found out that my mum's GP prescribed Vallergan for me when I was a baby!
I'm in my 30s now, and it's amazing how many people my age say that their mums gave it to them too!
I could be wrong but I get the impression that nowadays Vallergan is very much a "last resort" or "life and death" prescription, i.e. mum is literally going to kill herself if toddler doesn't sleep soon.
Is this correct? What does it take for a GP to prescribe Vallergan or similar drugs for a toddler? And what is the minimum age requirement?
I know my mum used it with my brothers and sisters in the 1970s (before most of you were born!!! ) She would have been going on the advice of the MHN or the doctor.
No Kate, there is something much stronger than phenergan.
Yep I think it used to be, but you're also right it is a very last resort. 2 is technically the minimum age but it is a heavy duty sedative, it needs to be monitored very carefully.
My DD is only 19 months, so I'm hoping her sleep will improve by this time next year, otherwise I might need to look into it.
The No-Cry Sleep Solution hasn't worked (we've tried a few times), and she HATES co-sleeping. Yes, that's right, a baby who hates co-sleeping!!! I'd gladly sleep with her, I don't care as long as it means I can SLEEP. But she's always hated it, it's like she can't get comfortable and she just cries and gets angry. I can't even lie next to her and breastfeed her in the bed! So sad. She also hated baby slings (I spent over $500 on different kinds of slings including an Ergo before I realized... it's not the slings, it's her!)
And CC wouldn't work, even if I did want to try it, which I don't. DD's one of those babies who would cry for hours. When she wakes up at night, she can become hysterical in less than 1 minute, let alone controlled crying intervals.
Good thing sleep deprivation doesn't actually kill you.... I just feel like I'm dying some days, that's all. Especially since she now wakes for the day at 5am. This is after also waking 1-3 times during the night.... I comfort myself with the fact that child geniuses never sleep well
Edit: Oh and she doesn't have special needs either.... but she's definitely special!
Last edited by goddessofdawn; June 8th, 2011 at 10:38 PM.
That blows me away! If I take phenergan for allergies, I sleep for hours and feel drugged for most of the next day, imagine what it would do to babies!
My mum always had a bottle of Vallergan in the pantry when we were kids. You could just buy it over the counter with no questions until a few years ago.
We had a bottle of vallergan for DS.. it's just an antihistamine that she gave us for allergies.. and dr recommended vallergan over phenergen cos it wasn't as strong. Bit confused now that I google it tho
It didn't seem to have any more sedative effect on him than any other antihistamine type thing (like dimetapp or something) *shrug*
ETA: DS was 3 when we got this.. it was when we were in the throes of working out he had asthma.. so we haven't used this for babies or anything.
There are two different strengths of Vallergan. Vallergan and Vallergan Forte. From what I can remember Vallergan Forte has always needed a script to be purchased but the regular strength used to be available over the counter. I am pretty sure that this product (as well as some other sedating antihistamines) have been banned in use of under 2's as there is a SIDS risk.
Im prety sure that vallergan and phenergan are the same thing..( promethazine (brand name Phenergan), alimemazine (Vallergan) same family of drug anyway.
I worked in a pharmacy for many years, in that time it has always been a schedule 3 drug (pharmacist only drug) must be labelled etc.., only available to under 2's on prescription only.
It was very much an over used "sleep aid" 20 or so years ago, there are still, sadly quite a few who use it to sedate their kids unnecessarily, but as you said before it is mainly a "last resort " thing these days, not many pharmacists are even keen on giving it out. (well,none that I have met!)
it can be very effective in certain circumstances, when used in the correct way.
eh... the best sleep aid is booby IMO I can't imagine drugging a baby to sleep? We've used chamomile tea and brauers calm I think... that's as strong as we went for additional 'sleep aids' for toddlers hehe.
I have three boys and have not had a full nights sleep in three years. I still remember cc with ds in between contractions with ds3. Ive done it all too but would never resort to drugs for sleep. Speak to your GP if your little one has sleep problems especially if they are destressed when waking and not even wanting to co sleep. If the first GP won't listen go to another then another it could be adenoids(sp) or sleep apnea (sp) which sedating your baby for could be deadly. There is a reason why they stopped handing it out so quickly.
goddess look into magnesium and rescue rememdy, i feel you pain, DD2 didnt sleep well til after 18 months after she had grommets inserted and i night weaned her
Did "Vallergan" used to be routinely prescribed?
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) She would have been going on the advice of the MHN or the doctor.
We've used chamomile tea and brauers calm I think... that's as strong as we went for additional 'sleep aids' for toddlers hehe.
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