SAFE MEDICATION GUIDANCE FOR EVERY AGE
Children’s Medicine Dosage Chart by Weight
Dosing children’s medication correctly is one of the most common – and most stressful – things parents deal with at 2 a.m. This guide gives general, weight-based dosing information for common over-the-counter medications, so you have a reliable reference at home. It’s meant to support, not replace, guidance from your child’s pediatrician, especially for infants under 6 months or children with other health conditions.
How to Use This Dosage Chart Safely
Always dose by your child’s weight, not their age – age-based dosing on packaging is a rough estimate and can be inaccurate for children who are smaller or larger than average. Use the concentration listed on your specific product (infant drops and children’s liquid are often different concentrations), and always use the dosing syringe or cup provided rather than a kitchen spoon.
Acetaminophen dosing information
Indications: Treatment of fever and pain. Give every 4-6 hours as needed, no more than 5 times in 24 hours.
Ibuprofen dosing information
Indications: Treatment of fever and pain. Give every 6-8 hours as needed, not to exceed three times per day.
Important Dosing Safety Notes
- Never give ibuprofen to infants under 6 months without explicit direction from your pediatrician.
- Do not alternate acetaminophen and ibuprofen unless specifically instructed by your doctor.
- Always check for acetaminophen in combination cold/flu products to avoid accidental double-dosing.
- Store all medications out of reach of children, even “child-resistant” packaging.
When to Call Us Instead of Guessing
Call our office (or the after-hours line) if your child is under 3 months old with any fever, if a dose was missed or possibly doubled, if your child isn’t improving after appropriate dosing, or if you’re ever unsure about a weight-based calculation. We would always rather answer a “simple” dosing question than have a parent guess.
Medicine Dosage Guide
frequently asked questions
Should I dose my child by age or by weight?
By weight. Age-based instructions on medicine packaging are averages and can be wrong for your child’s actual size.
Can I give my child Tylenol and Motrin at the same time?
Only if your pediatrician has specifically told you to. Don’t combine or alternate these without medical guidance.
Is it safe to give ibuprofen to a baby?
Ibuprofen is generally not recommended for infants under 6 months. Call our office before giving any fever-reducing medication to a young infant.
What if I’m not sure how much medicine to give?
Call our office or after-hours line. It’s always better to ask than to estimate a dose.
Still Not Sure What to Give Your Child?
Dosing questions rarely wait for office hours. Our after-hours line is here for exactly this kind of question, any time of night.
Call 847-742-6888 – Available 24/7 for Urgent Dosing Questions
Caring for northern Illinois families for over 40 years
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847.742.6888
Office Hours
Monday - Friday: 8 am - 5 pm
(Closed for lunch 12 - 1:30pm)
Saturday: 8 am - 12 pm
Sunday: Closed
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Elgin, IL 60120
ELGIN RANDALL ROAD
1530 N Randall Rd.
Elgin, IL 60123
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1020 E Schaumburg Rd. Streamwood, IL 60107
ALGONQUIN
2971 Algonquin Rd. Ste 105
Algonquin, IL 60102
AFTER HOURS
Call 847.742.6888 to reach our answering service. A provider will be paged to assist you. A $25 after-hours fee applies.
For life-threatening emergencies, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.