You don't want to be the parent at CVS at 2am with a feverish baby trying to remember if it's Tylenol every four hours or every six. Stock this stuff before you need it.
What to Keep on Hand
Must have:
- Infant Tylenol (different than children's)
- Infant Motrin
- Infant Benadryl
- Infant Vitamin D if breastfeeding (if formula feeding, it's already in the formula)
- Thermometer. You need a rectal one (butt thermometer), but it's also good to get a temporal or ear one. Rectal is most accurate, and if you're really checking severity of a fever you want to go that route. But if you're just wondering "is he warm or am I crazy" a temporal/ear one can tell you if you need to look closer with the rectal.
Optional:
- Gas drops (intestinal tummy bubbles, exact same thing as GasX)
- Gripe water (stomach upset)
- Probiotics (we like Culturelle)
The Dosing Rant
Dosing for Tylenol and Motrin is confusing because it's NOT THE SAME and NOT ON THE BOTTLE. Dumb. The syringes that come with the bottles have the volumes marked, but not which dose to use.
Print a chart from a reputable source and keep it in the cabinet with your drugs:
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol) dosing — HealthyChildren.org (AAP)
- Ibuprofen (Motrin/Advil) dosing — HealthyChildren.org (AAP)
Or ask your pediatrician for the chart they hand out. Many offices have a printable PDF on their website.
A few things that don't change:
- Tylenol (acetaminophen): every 4 to 6 hours, max 5 doses in 24 hours
- Motrin (ibuprofen): every 6 to 8 hours, max 4 doses in 24 hours, do NOT give under 6 months
Talk to your pediatrician about what's right for your kid. This is what we keep on hand, not medical advice.
Also see: Pick a Pediatrician Before You Deliver, Teething: What Actually Helps, and our Newborn Survival Guide.