Giving medicines to children is not an easy task and can be a challenge for parents. Though medications can be essential when your little ones are ill, it is essential that they take it correctly and in the right dosage to make it work effectively.

One common mistake parents make is using teaspoons to measure and administer medication. It may seem convenient at first, but it can have detrimental effects that you may not be aware of. Here are the reasons why it’s important not to use teaspoons to give medicine to children.

Misinterpreted Dosage and Lack of Accuracy

Ever tried converting milliliters to teaspoons? It is no easy task, especially when you are already stressed about your child’s illness. Teaspoons are not accurately measured like medicine cups.

A teaspoon could hold anywhere from two to six milliliters. If you use a teaspoon to administer medicine, you may end up giving your child more than you meant to, leading to accidental overdoses, which could be fatal.

Non-standardized Teaspoon Sizes

One significant problem with tablespoons is that they are not standardized, unlike medicine cups or droppers. Teaspoons can come in different shapes, sizes, and materials. Plastic teaspoons could contain more volume in comparison to a metal one.

Hence, with no consistent calibration across any of them, there is no assurance that every time you use a teaspoon, the dosage is accurate.

Confusion with Similar Medications

Parents may have different types of medications for their child, and sometimes, they could come in the same packaging. For instance, both infant vitamins and infant Tylenol come in dropper bottles and have similar shades of liquid.

You may accidentally mix up two medications and give your child the wrong one. It is essential to ensure that you double-check the label of the medication every time you plan on administering it.

Difficulty to Measure Small Doses

Some children require small doses of medication.

Due to the inaccurate volume measurements of teaspoons, it can be tough to measure small doses accurately, particularly when preparing medication for very young children under the age of three months or children who require the administration of liquid medications.

Risk of Contamination

You may run the risk of contamination by dipping a used teaspoon into the medication bottle without washing it thoroughly.

It can contaminate the medicine with bacteria, residue from previous medication or even traces of food, and can cause a threat to your child’s health. Medication cups, on the other hand, are designed to be used once, limiting the risk of contamination.

Alternatives to Teaspoons for Medication Administration

The most accurate and safest way of administering medication is by using calibrated medication cups or droppers that provide measurements in milliliters or milligrams.

Medication cups are commonly provided with liquid medication by the pharmacist while droppers or syringes are included in the packaging of oral suspensions or other liquid medications. Health experts advise using a calibrated dosing aid for all liquid medications.

Tips to Administer Medicine Accurately

Here are some tips to ensure safe and accurate medication administration:.

Always check the medicine label for dosing instructions and confirm the medication before administering it.
Use calibrated dosing aids provided with medication or measuring spoons/cups if directed by a health professional.
Avoid using tablespoon or teaspoon for measuring medication.
Measure medication at eye level, using proper lighting.
Follow the dosage instructions precisely and do not guess the amount of medication to administer.
Ask for assistance if a child does not drink the medicine to rule out the need to redose.
Ensure that the child swallows the medicine entirely before eating or drinking their liquids.

Conclusion

In conclusion, measuring and administering medicine is an essential part of managing your child’s health. One of the most common mistakes that parents make is measuring liquid medication with teaspoons.

Even with the ease and convenience it provides, the consequences that could arise from this mistake are not worth the risk. The safety of your child is an essential priority that demands proper medication administration. We advise parents to use calibrated dosing aids provided with medication or measuring spoons/cups if directed by a health professional.