The debate over giving children over-the-counter medicine has resurfaced after research conducted by Dr. Aisling Garvey from Our Lady's Children's Hospital in Ireland found that up to 30% of parents used painkillers to put children to sleep or on long journeys.
 
Dr. Garvey says that this can have lasting effects: "Children who are given over-the-counter analgesics early are more likely to self-medicate in later life.”
 
Columnist Sinead Moriarty of the Irish Independent has spoken out on the research, saying:
 
“I have to admit I can see how this would be tempting. Having been vomited on several times by my children because of car sickness or exhaustion, I would have gladly given them a horse tranquilliser to get them to sleep.
 
“I defy anyone not to be tempted and to give in at three in the morning when their child is still awake, crying and chewing on his fist. At that time of the night, it would take a huge amount of resilience not to crack open the Calpol and give the child a spoonful of it.”

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