MIL vent re: Nora's fever

amynicole21 wrote: My office holiday party was last night, so we sent the girls to grandma's house for the night. Nora is still getting fevers, but we told MIL to just give her some Motrin as soon as she starts getting cranky and warm and she would be fine. For some reason, MIL was reluctant to give her the meds, and instead decided to give her AN ALCOHOL BATH This is a HUGE no-no and can lead to death! She didn't give her any Motrin until 5am My poor baby was probably miserable all night. I couldn't believe it when DH told me she did that. He had no idea it was dangerous and I don't think he believed me until I had him look it up online. His mother is always doing crack-pot stuff like putting onions in socks to get rid of a cold?!? I didn't think she would do something like this though.

Thankfully, Nora is fine, but I'm going to think twice about having her watch them again. Sucks, too, because she is really the only person we've ever left them with.

booey2 replied: OMG, I am sorry she can't be trusted. Glad Nora is okay. I wouldn't hesitate to find someone else to leave them with. Makes me kinda glad I don't have a MIL.

gr33n3y3z replied: I didnt know alcohol lead to death
But we never did that either
maybe she can still watch them but just make sure they are fine when they go and send a list just in case LOL
I'm glad everything is ok

MyBrownEyedBoy replied: Alcohol can cool the temperature too fast and lead to shock. Wow, I would be furious with my MIL if she disregarded my instructions like that.

Maddie&EthansMom replied: Oh NO!!! That is so dangerous!! I'm so sorry, Amy. I really hope she feels better soon. Any word from the ped?

amynicole21 replied: Babies can also absorb the alcohol and chemicals into their skin which can lead to death.

amynicole21 replied:


I called for the bloodwork results, but missed the call when the nurse returned it. She did say to continue with the antibiotics and she would call on Monday to discuss the results.

Hillbilly Housewife replied:
I have to laugh at this... a vivid memory I have is that everytime I had a cold when I was younger, I'd get onions put in my socks... crunch crunch crunch for like 3 days...

I'm sorry she's such a butt though. She probably doesn't know the negative effects though... most 'old fashioned" people don't know. They should educate themselves... but most figure it was good enough for their kids, and their kids are fine...

amynicole21 replied:
Yep. Funny thing is she is the office manager at a walk in clinic. You'd think being around doctors and nurses all day would teach her something.

ediep replied: yikes!!! I would be LIVID too!!! That is so horrible! Poor Nora!

Glad she is ok, though.

redchief replied: Unfortunately old wives tales never seem to completely die off. I'm sorry you don't feel you can trust instructions given. Hopefully your righteous anger will be a lesson to MIL.

~Roo'sMama~ replied: Omg! I'm glad she's ok. I would be furious too. Regardless of the fact she probably didn't know it was so dangerous she should have just done what you told her to do.

Kirstenmumof3 replied: OMG I'm so sorry to hear this! I'm glad that she is okay! I would have a talk with your MIL about what she can and cannot do when the girls are with her. I know it won't be easy, I had to have this talk with my MIL. I hope Nora starts to feel better soon!

kit_kats_mom replied: Amy, how exactly did Shawn turn out so normal? I ask myself the same question about Woody everytime I talk to my MIL.

Amyway, that is just wrong and I'm so happy that Nora didn't suffer any negative effects. How crazy. I'd talk to her or just move out of town.....like, oh, I dunno....to Tampa, so we can watch the girls.

PrairieMom replied: OMG. how scary! what did you say to her? I would have come unglued.
That is exctly the kind of thing my MIL would do. thankfully, they live 12 hours away. I hope Nora feels better soon.