I think it's just best to avoid over the counter medicine for children under 2. Why risk something horrible happening?

Have you ever listened to a 15-month-old scream for hours on end because their molars are coming in and they hurt like hell? Have you ever used 1,000 kleenex in a single day for a nose that won't stop running, knowing that said runny nose is inevitably going to lead to yet another ear infection because there's no product available to clear the mucous out adequately? ? Have you dealt with an older baby who's miserable? Kinda like a colicky newborn, except they punch and bite and thrash in your arms. For hours. All night. All day. Yeah, for us, OTC medicine is kind of a necessity.

I think it's just best to let parents decide for themselves what their own child needs. Why risk sounding like a pompous jerk?

Yeah Mombo, I think all of us have been through all of those terrible things, it is a parenting blog after all. But if you feel like the solution is to drug your kids, then I think you should be prepared to deal with the consequences. You seem to be saying that it's your right to use these medications and then your right to sue if they are unsafe.

I am not talking about any medicine that your kids' doctor suggests or prescribes.

And yes, Mombo, I have been through all of those things too (except for ear infections, so far). It still doesn't seem that there are any effective and safe medicines for kids under two, which is why so many of them have been pulled off the market. Did you really think that my comment stating my opinion made me seem like a "pompous jerk?" It seems like someone is a little defensive about their choices.

Sorry, Manjari, but that's not what you said. You said OTC medicines, which (last time I checked) includes things like Tylenol and Motrin, which yes, my ped recommends. And saying "for children under two" sounds a lot like "for ALL children under two." I prefer you not to make a policy that affects my son, thanks.

I have no idea how the medicines which were pulled might have helped or not helped my son. All I know is that for the last two months he's had a runny nose and has been utterly miserable from the resulting ear infections. Nothing--not OTC stuff nor anything that's been prescribed--has helped.  Am I defensive? No, I have been literally missing the once-happy kid who's been reduced to a snotty crankpot. Hearing someone suggest that no kid should get OTC medicines really pushes my buttons.

Yes, it is very sad, but OF COURSE she insists she never gave him all or some of the medications at the same time or in any way overdosed him. Not enough warnings about risks?  Please, did she even read the warnings because all the labels of children's OTC medicine I have ever seen are nothing but warnings.