How to Give a Baby Liquid Medicine

 

Every year, over 100,000 babies are cared for in neonatal units. When the time comes for them to go home, it can be daunting when care becomes the responsibility of the parent and not a professional. So how do you give your baby the help they need?

Giving medicine to a baby or toddler can be stressful for you both. Read on as we tell you how to give a baby liquid medicine the easy way.

Filling the Oral Syringe

Be sure to read the instructions that come with the medicine to get the correct dosage. This will probably be based on your baby’s weight or age. If you buy medicine from a pharmacy, the person behind the counter may even be able to mark a fill level on the syringe.

If the syringe has a cap, throw it away. This could be a choking hazard your child may find later. Check how much of the syringe you need to fill.

Push the plunger to the bottom and insert it into the medicine. If you don’t have the right syringe and it won’t fit, tip some into a cup and draw it out from there. This article can tell you all about selecting the right one.

Make sure the oral syringe has the end completely submerged in the liquid medicine during this process. If not, you can get air bubbles that result in the wrong medication dose. Should you get them, return the medicine and start again?

How to Give a Baby Liquid Medicine

Once you have the liquid medicine in the syringe you can begin to feed your child. Hold them in the same position you do when feeding. If they are a little older, they can sit as they do when eating.

Squirt the medicine to the side of the mouth. If it squirts to the back of their throat it could cause them to gag and reject the medicine. Go slowly, so that they can swallow it in small amounts.

What to Do if Your Child Won’t Have Medicine

When your child won’t have medicine, you may have to be a little more forceful. This may require two adults. One adult should sit them on their lap, holding their hands and opening their mouth by gently tugging the chin downwards.

The other adult should insert the syringe between the teeth. If medicine can be dripped to the back of the tongue, gravity will take it into their body even if they try to reject it. Keep going until all of the medicine is gone.

Doing this will be stressful for you and your child. Remember that you are helping them out.

Afterward, if you have an older toddler tell them why they needed medicine. Reassure them and comfort them. You may even reward them for taking the medicine.

Consulting a Professional

Now you know how to give a baby liquid medicine, you should find it easier each time. The included instructions will inform you about how long it should be given. If the symptoms persist then make sure you consult a professional.

This article is one of many to help you raise a child. From toddlers to teens, we can help your family grow and stay healthy in the coming years.