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The Mommy Detective - cracking the code on your family's drama.

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Tips for giving medication to infants

Cold and flu season is approaching.  No matter how we protect our infants, colds or other problems may surface.  Perhaps you tried a natural approach but the problem got worse and now you have to give your little one some bad tasting medicine.  How can you safely administer medication?

Please remember that the teaspoon we use for our hot tea is not a proper measurement for medication.  Measure your child's dose with a syringe, oral dropper, round dosing spoon, or plastic medicine cup. 

For Infants: 

1.  Use a medicine dropper.  If he resists, measure the medicine into a clean bottle nipple.  Wet the nipple so not much medicine will stick to it.  Coat the outside of the nipple with a little honey so the infant will continue to suck.  Or...use the following link to purchase a pacifier designed to give medicine - just remember the honey.




2.  I used this trick several times.  If you place medicine near a baby's mouth and gently blow in their face - they will naturally take a breath and the medicine is sucked into the back of the mouth.

3.  When using a syringe, give your child a little at a time - this will cut down on spit up.  Be sure and sterilize the syringe after. 

(Never heard this one...but sounds good)
4.  When giving liquid medicine or vitamins place your baby on his back and dangle a toy above his head.  When he looks back and his mouth opens, quickly squirt the liquid toward the back of his cheek.

5.  Lay your child on his back and put eye drops inside the corner of his eyes.  When he opens his eyes the medication will gently drop into the eye.

Check back tomorrow for more tips.  I have some fun ways to help toddlers take medication.

Do you have another idea for mother's of infants?

Seeking His Wisdom,

Debbie

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