Safety Tips for Giving Medication to Your Baby

If you baby is sick and needs medication, it's critical that you only administer the exact dosage prescribed by the physician. Even though a grownup or an older child might do ok with a slight variation, you don't want to take this chance with a baby.

With a baby being so much smaller you need to be aware that only a small variance in the dose can have a dramatic effect on the results. Even slight variations in weight will be taken into consideration when your doctor determines the medication dosage for your baby.

Make sure that you always use the measuring device that comes with the medication. If you didn't receive one along with your medication, be certain to buy one that provides precise measurements.

Don't give doses based on a teaspoon, as the size of teaspoons can vary greatly. This can greatly increase the risk of administering more medication than is necessary or safe for your baby. In the worst case scenario, an imprecise dosage of medication could negatively impact your baby's health instead of helping him.

You should also never make your own judgment on the amount of medication that your child needs. You might be putting your baby's health at risk and not even know it. Be sure to check with your doctor if in doubt.

If you're considering using natural treatments, remember that they can sometimes be very powerful. Just because they are natural doesn't mean you can safely administer them to your baby. Natural remedies will affect your baby much differently than they would a grownup, and might even cause severe health problems.

The bad news is that there are many places selling these natural remedies that aren't able to provide knowledgeable advice. All too often, they are unknowingly risking the health of the individual who uses the product. Don't neglect to check with your baby's doctor or a reliable health care provider if you're thinking about using natural remedies.

While your baby is still in the early stages of development, you should only heed the advice of medical professionals. Sickness in a small baby can advance very quickly to a critical level. Don't take the chance of administering medications that might harm your baby's health.