Infant Medicine Dosing Safety
Before each dose, check the current prescription and bottle, measure with the correct oral syringe, then record the dose and lock the medicine away. If the medicine, concentration or instructions do not match, ask a pharmacist before giving it.
Summary
Use only a medicine specifically recommended for the baby and follow the current label or prescription. Measure liquid in milliliters with its oral syringe, give slowly along the inside of the cheek while the baby is upright, record immediately, close the cap, and lock every medicine and supplement out of sight and reach. Never guess, double a dose, or combine products without checking active ingredients. Contact poison advice or emergency services immediately for a suspected exposure or severe symptoms.
Read the current prescription before every dose
Use only medicine recommended for this baby. Check the baby's name, medicine, active ingredient, concentration, amount, unit, interval, expiry date and storage instructions. Do not use an adult product or combine medicines because the brand names differ. Ask a pharmacist to resolve any mismatch before giving a dose.
Match the syringe to the dose
Measure liquid medicine in milliliters (mL) with the supplied oral syringe or a device confirmed by the pharmacist. The prescription and syringe must use matching units. Read the mark at eye level and remove large air bubbles. A kitchen spoon cannot measure a dependable dose; never estimate an unclear amount.
Give small amounts slowly
Support the baby upright and place the syringe toward the inside of the cheek. Give small amounts slowly, allowing time to swallow rather than squirting toward the throat. Stop if breathing or alertness changes and seek help appropriate to the symptoms. Do not automatically repeat a dose because you are unsure how much was taken; ask the pharmacist or prescriber.
Record the dose before the handoff
Use one shared record with the medicine and concentration, amount in mL, date and time, and the adult who gave it. Check that record before the next dose. If nobody can confirm whether a dose was given, stop and ask for professional advice instead of giving another dose 'just in case.' Never double a dose to compensate without specific instructions.
Lock medicines away and act on suspected ingestion
Close the original child-resistant container and lock all medicines and supplements out of sight and reach after every use. Include travel bags and visitors' medicines. Suspected ingestion or an extra dose needs immediate local poison advice or urgent medical advice; do not wait for symptoms. Keep the container available. For severe breathing difficulty, blue or gray color, unresponsiveness, a seizure or collapse, call emergency services.
