How to Give an Infant Medicine

All parents have had the frustrating experience of trying to give their infant medicine. Usually the medicine winds up everywhere but in the infant's mouth, but there are a few things you can do to ensure that your baby will take the medicine that they need.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Wash your hands in warm water.

2. Measure out the exact amount of the medicine that your doctor has prescribed for your infant in a syringe or dropper. If it is an over the counter medicine, call your doctor to make sure that you are giving your infant the right amount of medicine. Do not go over the prescribed or recommended amount because you are afraid that your infant will not take it. Accidental overdoses can be deadly.

3. Place a bib around your infant's neck just in case.

4. Put your finger in your infants mouth. This will usually start the sucking reflex.

5. Once the baby is sucking on your finger, place the dropper or syringe beside your finger and slowly squirt the medicine into your infants mouth. Your infant will suck the medicine down as they suck on your finger.

Tips & Warnings

• Be sure that your thoroughly rinse off your hands to avoid having any soap residue on them.

[starlet67]

on 2/13/2009 Good, clear instructions for giving baby his meds!5* :)

[Susanh]

on 2/4/2009 Your technique worked for us when our girls were infants! 5*****