How to Give a Baby Liquid Medication

Giving a baby liquid medicine can be a difficult task to a new parent. When your baby is not feeling well, he is usually more cranky then normal. Trying to give him liquid medicine that he does not want to take can be very frustrating. Learning the correct method of administering the liquid medication to your baby will make the procedure a lot easier on both of you. Read on to learn more.

Things You'll Need

• Antibacterial soap
• Water
• Liquid medicine
• Medicine cup
• Medicine syringe
• Sturdy chair
• Water or juice

Instructions

Preparing to Administer the Liquid Medicine

1. Wash your hands thoroughly using an antibacterial soap.

2. Pour the liquid medicine into a medicine cup so that it is easy to fill the medicine syringe.

3. Measure the prescribed amount of liquid medicine into the syringe by inserting the syringe tip into the liquid and pulling the top in an upward direction. Pour any medicine left in the cup back into the original bottle.

4. Take the baby and sit in a sturdy chair with the medicine near you. Hold the baby in your lap with your left arm if you are right handed. Reverse the procedure if you're left handed.

5. Hold the left baby's left arm with your left hand and secure his right arm under your left arm.

6. Use your left arm and chest to brace the baby's head and hold it still.

Administering the Liquid Medicine

1. Pick up the syringe with the medicine in it and place it into the baby's mouth. Place the syringe along the side of the tongue toward the back of the mouth. Squeeze out between 1/3 to 1/2 of the medication. This will prevent the baby from choking on the medicine or spitting it out.

2. Hold the baby's mouth gently closed by holding his cheeks together and stroke him under the chin until the he's swallowed the medicine.

3. Repeat giving the medication as instructed in step 1 and 2.

4. Comfort and cuddle your baby while holding him in a sitting position, once the medicine has been finished.

5. Give the baby a drink of juice or water.

Tips & Warnings

• Some liquid medications can be mixed with the baby's food or drink.

• If you do not a have medication syringe, use a soft measured dropper, a measured medicine spoon or a cooking measuring spoon.

• Speak in a gentle, soft, reassuring voice to the baby. Yelling or showing anger will only upset the baby further.

• Measure the dosage very carefully, making sure to administer only the prescribed amount of medication.

Resources

• Visit this site for more parenting tips