It's no treat to wrestle a squirmy, inconsolable child to get three drops of medicine into him. But when your baby is sick, medicine is often a must. Here are some effective techniques that can make your job a little easier in helping the medicine go down.
Make sure you're measuring the right amount. Over-the-counter and prescription medicine for babies comes in "infant drops," which are usually prescribed in milliliters (ml) or cubic centimeters (cc), or in a liquid or "elixir" form that's measured in teaspoons (tsp). To measure, use the dosing instrument that comes with the bottle, or use one of the tools available at your local pharmacy.
There are several different ways to get the medicine down the hatch. Deciding which one can depend on your baby's age, his feeding style, and the medicine itself. Here are your options:
What if your baby just won't take his medicine? These are the next steps:
Originally published on AmericanBaby.com, December 2001.
All content here, including advice from doctors and other health professionals, should be considered as opinion only. Always seek the direct advice of your own doctor in connection with any questions or issues you may have regarding your own health or the health of others.
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