Regularly medicating babies.

I am surprised by how many people regularly medicate their babies. I don't mean doctor prescribed medication for illnesses. I mean things like paracetamol, ibuprofen, colic remedies, teething gels, etc.

Since Maya was born I have given her paracetamol ONCE and I debated over the decision before giving it to her. She did have a slight fever and wasn't happy. Eventually I came to the decision that for all I knew she was in pain from a vaccination she had just received and couldn't tell me. So I gave her the smallest dose of paracetamol possible (most of which she spat out or brought up) and a while afterwards she seemed to be doing better. Was it the paracetamol or would she have gotten better anyway? I don't know. My point is that so many mothers seem to just automatically give their babies these drugs without a seconds thought. Their babies are unsettled but with no fever. Is the problem really pain? Or are their babies just being normal, healthy babies who have needs they cannot express verbally?

I was shocked to hear one mother reveal that for a couple of weeks now she has given her baby paracetamol morning, noon and night because she thinks her baby is teething. Surely giving your baby medication on a regular basis can't be good for them.

Don't get me wrong, I am not against using medication for babies. There are times when it is definitely needed. However, it seems like a lot of mothers are automatically jumping to the conclusion that their babies are in pain or sick rather than checking if their baby is hungry, needs a change or needs a cuddle, etc. Surely trying other methods to settle a baby first would be more beneficial than to automatically reach for the medication?

Or maybe I am just very lucky and Maya is an easy going baby who is rarely unsettled without an obvious reason like tiredness or hunger.