A bicycle that’s the wrong size for your child can be more than just uncomfortable. A bike that’s too big or too small can cause them to lose control and get hurt. Making sure their helmet is the right size for them is also important to protect against injuries.
Read on to learn how to keep your child safe with a bike and helmet that fits them properly.
Tips to help your child’s bike fits them
Do not push your child to ride a 2-wheeled bike until they are ready, at about age 5 or 6.
Take your child with you when you shop for the bike, so that they can try it out. The value of a properly fitting bike far outweighs the value of surprising your child with a new bike.
Buy a bike that is the right size, not one your child has to “grow into.” Oversized bikes are especially dangerous.
How to test any style of bike for proper fit
Sitting on the seat with hands on the handlebar, your child must be able to place the balls of both feet on the ground.
Straddling the center bar, your child should be able to stand with both feet flat on the ground with about a 1-inch clearance between the crotch and the bar.
When buying a bike with hand brakes for an older child, make sure that the child can comfortably grasp the brakes and apply sufficient pressure to stop the bike.
Don’t forget a helmet
A helmet should be standard equipment with your child’s bike. Whenever buying a bike, be sure you have a Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)-approved helmet for your child that fits them correctly. Evidence shows that helmet use decreases head injuries and deaths related to bicycle vs. motor vehicle crashes.
How to make sure your child’s helmet fits correctly
The helmet should sit squarely on top of their head and cover the top of their forehead.
The helmet should sit parallel to the ground when your child’s head is upright.
The helmet fits well if it doesn’t move around slide down over your child’s eyes when it is pushed or pulled, or your child shakes their head.
If your child has a sore throat, cough, or runny nose, you might expect the doctor to prescribe antibiotics. But most of the time, children don’t need antibiotics to treat a respiratory illness. In fact, antibiotics can do more harm than good. Here’s why:
Antibiotics fight bacteria, not viruses.
If your child has a bacterial infection, antibiotics may help. But if your child has a virus, antibiotics will not help your child feel better or keep others from getting sick.
The common cold and flu are both viruses.
Chest colds, such as bronchitis, are also usually caused by viruses. Bronchitis is a cough with a lot of thick, sticky phlegm or mucus. Cigarette smoke and particles in the air can also cause bronchitis. But bacteria are not usually the cause.
Most sinus infections (sinusitis) are also caused by viruses. The symptoms are a lot of mucus in the nose and post-nasal drip. Mucus that is colored does not necessarily mean your child has a bacterial infection.
Antibiotics do not help treat viruses and some infections.
Some cases of the flu are both viral and bacterial. For these cases, antibiotics may be needed. Sometimes bacteria can cause sinus infections, but even then the infection usually clears up on its own in a week or so. Many common ear infections also clear up on their own without antibiotics.
Some sore throats, like strep throat, are bacterial infections. Symptoms include fever, redness, and trouble swallowing. However, most children who have these symptoms do not have strep throat. Your child should have a strep test to confirm that it’s strep, and then, if they’re needed, the doctor will prescribe antibiotics.
Antibiotics have risks.
Side effects from antibiotics are a common reason that children go to the emergency room. These medicines can cause diarrhea or vomiting, and about 5 in 100 children have allergies to them. Some allergic reactions can be serious and life threatening. The misuse and overuse of antibiotics encourages bacteria to change, so that medicines don’t work as well to get rid of them. This is called “antibiotic resistance.” When bacteria are resistant to the medicines used to treat them, it’s easier for infections to spread from person to person. Antibiotic-resistant infections are also more expensive to treat and harder to cure.
When used incorrectly, antibiotics waste money.
Most antibiotics do not cost a lot. But money spent on medicines that are not needed is money wasted. In severe cases, infections that are resistant to antibiotics can cost thousands of dollars to treat.
When does your child need antibiotics?
Your child may need antibiotics if:
A cough does not get better in 14 days.
A bacterial form of pneumonia or whooping cough (pertussis) is diagnosed.
Symptoms of a sinus infection do not get better in 10 days, or they get better and then worse again.
Your child has a yellow-green nasal discharge and a fever of at least 102° F for several days in a row.
Your child has strep throat, based on a rapid strep test or a throat culture. If strep is not diagnosed with a test, antibiotics should not be given. No test is needed if your child has a runny nose and cough as well as a sore throat. Those are symptoms of a different virus.
For infants younger than 3 months of age, call your pediatrician for any fever above 100.4° F. Very young infants can have serious infections that might need antibiotics.
Editor’s Note: The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released a list of specific tests or treatments that are commonly given to children, but are not always necessary, as part of the Choosing Wisely® campaign, an initiative of the ABIM Foundation. Antibiotics and cough and cold medicines were identified; the full list gives more detail as to the reasons for taking a closer look at each treatment, and cites evidence related to each recommendation.
“Over-the-counter” (OTC) means you can buy the medicine without a doctor’s prescription. But be careful! OTC medicines can be dangerous if not taken the right way. Talk with your child’s doctor before giving your child any medicine, especially the first time.
All OTC medicines have the same kind of label. The label gives important information about the medicine. It says what it is for, how to use it, what is in it, and what to watch out for. Look on the box or bottle, where it says, “Drug Facts.”
Read the label
Check the chart on the label to see how much medicine to give. If you know your child’s weight, use that first. Just remember that your child’s weight in kilograms (kg) is different from your child’s weight in pounds (lbs)!
Kilogram (kg)
Pounds (lbs)
1
2.2
5
11
10
22
15
33
20
44
If you do not know your child’s weight, go by age. Check the label to make sure it is safe for children under age 6. If you are not sure, ask your child’s doctor.
Talk with the doctor or pharmacist
Before you give your child any medicines, be sure you know how to use them.
Questions to ask
How will this medicine help my child?
Can you show me how to use this medicine?
How much medicine do I give my child? When? For how long?
Are there any side effects from this medicine?
How can I learn more about this medicine?
What if my child spits it out?
Does it come in chewable tablets or liquid?
Are there any other medicines that should not be given at the same time as this one?
Where should I keep this medicine?
How should I get rid of the leftover medicine?
What to tell your child’s doctor or pharmacist
If your child is taking any other medicines.
If your child has any problems when taking a medicine.
Call the doctor right away if…
Your child throws up a lot or gets a rash after taking any medicine. Even if a medicine is safe, your child may be allergic to it.
Your child may or may not have side effects with any medicine. Be sure to tell the doctor if your child has any side effects.
About pain and fever medicines
Acetaminophen (uh-SET-tuh-MIN-uh-fin) and ibuprofen (eye-byoo-PROH-fin) help with fever and headaches or body aches. Tylenol is one brand name for acetaminophen. Advil and Motrin are brand names for ibuprofen. These medicines also can help with pain from bumps, or soreness from a shot. Ask the doctor which one is best for your child.
Keep in mind:
Never give ibuprofen to a baby younger than 6 months.
If your child has kidney disease, asthma, an ulcer, or another chronic (long-term) illness, ask the doctor before giving ibuprofen.
Don’t give acetaminophen or ibuprofen at the same time as other OTC medicines, unless your child’s doctor says it’s OK.
A warning about aspirin
Never give aspirin to your child unless your child’s doctor tells you it is safe. Aspirin can cause a very serious liver disease called Reye syndrome. This is especially true for children with the flu or chickenpox.
Ask your pharmacist about other medicines that may contain aspirin. Or, contact the National Reye’s Syndrome Foundation at 1-800-233-7393 or www.reyessyndrome.org.
What about cough and cold medicines?
Over-the-counter cough or cold medicines are not recommended for children under age 6.
It’s also important to know that cold medicines often have more than one medicine mixed together in one bottle. This may include medicine for fever or pain, like acetaminophen. For this reason, do not give a medicine for fever or pain if you already gave a cold medicine that has a fever or pain medicine in it. It is usually best to give one medicine at a time.
Other safety tips when using OTC medicines
Use the dosing tool that comes with the medicine to measure out the medicine. Keep your tool with your medicine so you remember to use them together.
Keep medicines up and away, and out of sight of young children. That way they don’t get into them when you are not watching.
Use a log to keep track of what times you gave medicine to your child. This is especially helpful when there is more than one person taking care of a child. It is easy to accidentally give a double dose of medicine! Work with other caregivers to plan how you will keep track of what medicines are given, how much was given, and when.
Check the medicine label and read the expiration dates. The expiration date is the date after which the medicine should no longer be used. Expired medicines may not work as well and can hurt your child.
What to do for poisoning
You can call the Poison Center in any state at 1-800-222-1222 at any time of day or night.
Call the Poison Center if you’re not sure
Sometimes parents find their child with something in his or her mouth. Or parents may find their child with an open bottle of medicine. The Poison Center can help you find out if this could hurt your child. Do not wait until your child is sick to call the Poison Center.
Call 911 or your local emergency number right away if your child:
Stocking your medicine cabinet will give you some extra peace of mind that you are well prepared to tend to whatever you may be faced with—from tiny toenails to first fevers and stuffy noses. While there are no hard and fast rules about what constitutes a well-stocked medicine cabinet, here’s our streamlined list of suggested staples.
Baby nail clippers. Adult-sized clippers are not advised.
Cotton balls and/or swabs. We can think of numerous uses.
Thermometer. And yes, we mean the rectal kind.
Fever reducers. Not to be given lightly, but definitely good to be prepared with acetaminophen (eg, Tylenol) on hand for first fevers.
Medicine syringe. Useful but not mandatory, since infant medications come with measuring devices.
Bulb suction and saline drops. It’s best to avoid overuse, but when used appropriately, stuffy noses don’t need to leave you feeling helpless.
Diaper cream. Can wait, but certainly convenient to have on hand and likely to get used.
Petroleum jelly. Multipurpose, safe, and bound to be used on various occasions.
Kids are curious—and they sure do love putting things in their mouths! Exploring what objects feel and taste like is part of how they learn about the world around them. Children’s non-stop curiosity is what brings all the great (and sometimes silly) questions and creativity, but it can also lead to trouble.
Some days as an emergency medicine doctor, I feel like I’ve seen it all. From a marshmallow stuck in a child’s airway to a child with lead poisoning after swallowing a small toy to keep it away from his little brother. Sometimes, these emergencies hit close to home.
The Gillans’ story below may be hard to read but brings to life how important it is to do all we can to keep our kids safe.
Maisie’s story – how common is it?
We know that about 50,000 U.S. children visit the Emergency Department every year because they swallowed something potentially dangerous. The good news, most of those children go home without having suffered any serious harm. The scary news is that about 9,000 children need to be hospitalized, and some, like Maisie, die from the poisoning.
Medicines are powerful lifesavers, but can also be dangerous—especially to babies, children and teens.
Think “up and away”
The best way to protect kids from unintentional poisoning is to put medicines away safely. Use these tips to keep children from finding medicines in your home:
Store all medications in a cupboard or high shelf, well out of a child’s sight. In about half of over-the-counter medication poisonings, the child climbed onto a chair, toy or other object to reach the medication.
Keep medicines in their original containers, with child-safety caps.
If there are controlled substances (like prescription pain medications or ADHD medicine) consider using a locked box for extra safety.
Keep track of how many pills are in the bottle and write the start date on the label. This way, if a spill occurs, you’ll know if any are missing.
When giving your child medicine, lean over a counter or table. This helps contain any accidental spills.
Any medication can be dangerous, so treat all products with the same respect. We worry about opioids, but some blood pressure and diabetes medications can be fatal to a toddler who swallows only one pill.
If a medication spills, vacuum or sweep the area as an extra precaution to ensure nothing is missed.
Dispose of unused medications—especially opioids—at pharmacies, drug “take back” programs or doctors’ offices
Know basic first aid and keep the Poison Center Number (1-800-222-1222) stored in your phone.
Get into the practice of safe medication storage, starting as soon as your baby is born.
That terrible morning
I’ve known the Gillan family for years. On the morning Maisie died, I was the on-call physician for the team that reviews all unexpected deaths of children. The phone calls started to come in. First the investigators, asking if I thought they were missing anything. Her room was perfect, all safe sleep guidelines were followed, the house was completely child-safe.
Then my mother called, as soon as she heard. Since we knew the family so well, this might have been the hardest of the calls to take. A wonderful, happy, healthy and so very loved little child had been lost, and the family was devastated.
I am honored to have been gifted a “Maisie pin” that I wear on my white coat. It serves as a launch point to talk to families about poisoning prevention so that maybe, no other families have to suffer.
All medications have the potential to cause secondary, unwanted and/or adverse effects.
Adverse Effects:
Adverse effects are any undesirable experience associated with the use of a medical product in a patient. Medication side effects can include:
Upset stomach
Diarrhea or loose stools
Dry mouth
Drowsiness
Change in activity or mood
Dizziness
Flushing, sweating
Rashes
Rapid heartbeat
The effects of medication can vary from child to child.
For example, the same antihistamine can make one child sleepy while another becomes jittery and hyperactive.
The side effects of one type of medication can be different from the side effects for another medication.
A fast heart rate, for instance, is expected for albuterol, an asthma medication, but not for an antibiotic. Antibiotics often cause diarrhea or loose stools, but would not be expected for asthma medications like albuterol.
Allergic Reactions:
Allergic reactions may involve many different types of symptoms such as:
Swelling
Rash
Difficulty breathing
Allergic reactions are difficult to predict and range from mild (redness of skin, itching) to severe (life threatening). Skin disturbances are the most common.
In an Emergency: When to Call 911 vs. Poison Control
Each year, about 50,000 children under age 5 go to emergency departments for poisoning after getting ahold of medicine.
When you need them, medicines can improve lives and even save them. But too much of any medicine can be deadly for a toddler, child or teenager. This is why prescription medicine and over-the-counter medicine should be kept out of their reach.
Protecting children & teens
Many common medicines, such as opioids, heart and diabete drugs, and even prenatal vitamins can be fatal for babies and young children in very small doses—a pill or two. And teenagers can make poor choices with pills, especially prescriptions, often with tragic results. If your child is unconscious, not breathing, or having seizures from possible poison contact or ingestion, call 911 or your local emergency number. If your child has mild or no symptoms, call the Poison Help number, 1-800-222-1222.
Just like you protect your child in your vehicle by using car seats and seat belts, you need to protect your children at home by locking up medicines and other common household poisons. Here are some medicine safety tips for parents, grandparents and anyone who has a child or teen in their home:
Safe storage: out of reach & sight
Use medicine containers with safety caps and keep them out of reach and sight of children. Remember that safety caps are child-resistant. This means it is hard for a young child to open the cap. No medicine container is fully childproof.
Store all over-the-counter and prescription medicines in their original packages in locked cabinets or containers. Safety latches that lock when you close a cabinet door can help keep children away from harmful products, but they do not always work.
Consider buying a small safe or lockbox to lock up all medicines and drugs.
Put medicines back in safe storage right after using them. Never leave children alone with medicines. If you have medicine open and you must do something else, like answer the phone, take the medicine with you.
Remind babysitters, grandparents and other visitors to keep purses, bags or jackets that have medicines in them away from children’s reach.
Taking & giving your child medicine
When taking medicine, do it over a bathroom sink and/or away from common areas of your home. If you spill medicine, clean it up immediately. For many opioids and other powerful painkillers, even a small amount consumed or absorbed through the skin (liquid and patches) can be life-threatening.
Never refer to medicine as “candy” or another appealing name. This can confuse or tempt a child to try other pills when you’re not watching.
Be careful to give the correct dose and measure it out exactly. This includes reading the label each time you give over-the-counter drugs like acetaminophen and ibuprofen, two popular pain and fever medicines. For most emergency visits involving medication errors, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, young children were given the wrong dose of medicine by mistake.
Use a medicine syringe or dropper to measure the correct amount. Don’t use regular kitchen spoons, because they are not accurate for measuring medicine. For example: 5 milliliters (mL) is equal to 1 teaspoon (tsp); 15 milliliters (mL) is equal to 3 teaspoons (tsp) and also equal to 1 tablespoon (Tbsp).
Be aware that some over-the-counter medicine is adult-strength and never should be used with children. Talk about safer options with your pediatrician or pharmacist.
Give the medicine at the times you are supposed to, based on your prescription or what your doctor told you. If you forget to give a dose, give it as soon as possible and give the next dose at the correct time following the late dose.
Get answers
Ask questions. Many parents have trouble understanding medicine instructions. If you are confused about how to give your child a medicine, it is better to ask questions than to give the medicine incorrectly.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist to show you how much medicine to give using the dosing tool you plan to use. Or tell your doctor or pharmacist how much you plan to give. Then ask if what you said is correct.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist to write down the instructions on a piece of paper for you to take home.
Ask for information in the language you prefer. Have an interpreter give you instructions in your preferred language.
Check with your child’s doctor or pharmacist before mixing medicine with food or liquid.
Avoid unnecessary medicines
Give medications that treat symptoms (such as long-lasting cough) only if your child needs it. Over-the-counter cough or cold medicines is not recommended for children under age 6, and they should never be used in children under 2.
Cold medications often have more than one type of medicine in one bottle. Do not give a medicine for fever or pain if you already gave a cold medicine that has a fever or pain medicine in it. It is usually best to give one medicine at a time.
You can give medicine to lower your child’s fever if your child has a fever over 102 degrees Fahrenheit. Remember that fever is a sign that the body is getting rid of the infection. Medicine to bring fever down is more an issue of comfort for a child. It’s not necessary if your child is comfortable.
Safely dispose of medications
Safely discard of all unused medications, particularly powerful drugs like opioids. Read the medicine label for safe ways to get rid of old or extra medicine. Medicine patches used for pain relief should be removed, folded in half and flushed. Many pharmacies, poison control centers, public safety stations and doctor’s offices will accept old medicines for safe disposal but call first. For more information
Many children’s medicines come in liquid form. Liquid medicines are easier for children to swallow than pills. However, make sure to use them the right way so your child gets the amount they need.
Here’s what parents need to know.
Types of liquid medicines
There are 2 types of liquid medicines:
Medicines you can buy without a doctor’s prescription (called over-the-counter or OTC).
Medicines a doctor prescribes.
OTC medicines
All OTC medicines have the same kind of label. The label gives important information about the medicine. It says what it is for, how to use it, what is in it, and what to watch out for. Look on the box or bottle, where it says “Drug Facts.”
Check the chart on the label to see how much medicine to give. If you know your child’s weight, use that first. Be careful. Your child’s weight in kilograms is different from your child’s weight in pounds (lbs)! See the table below for examples of how kilograms and pounds differ from each other.)
Kilogram (kg)
Pounds (lbs)
1
2.2
5
11
10
22
15
33
20
44
If you do not know your child’s weight, go by age.
Check the label to make sure it is safe for infants and children younger than 6 years. Pay careful attention when the label says, “Do Not Use.” If you are not sure, ask your child’s doctor.
It is important to use a dosing tool that has markings on it. The markings help you measure out the right amount of medicine. Dosing tools include oral syringes, dosing spoons, droppers, and dosing cups. Always keep the dosing tool with the bottle of medicine. If a dosing tool is not included with your medicine bottle, ask your pharmacist or doctor for one.
Prescription liquid medicines
Your child’s doctor may prescribe a liquid medicine. These medicines will have a different label than OTC medicines. Always read the label before you give the medicine to your child.
Like with OTC medicines, it is important to always use the dosing tool (like an oral syringe) that comes with the medicine, or that your doctor or pharmacist tells you to use. If a dosing tool is not provided with the medicine, ask the pharmacist or doctor to give you one.
With OTC or prescription medicines, be sure to call your child’s doctor or pharmacist if you have questions like:
How much medicine should I give?
How often should I give the medicine?
How long should I give the medicine for?
Where should I keep the medicine?
How should I get rid of leftover medicine?
Different strengths of infant & children’s medicines
Some medicines may come in different infant and children’s strengths (concentrations). Be careful! The infant medicine may be stronger than the children’s medicine. Parents may make the mistake of giving higher doses of infant medicine to a child, thinking that it is not as strong. Be sure the medicine you give your child is right for his or her weight and age.
How to give liquid medicines
Follow the directions exactly. Some parents give their children too much medicine. This will not help them get better faster. And it can be very dangerous, especially if you give too much for a few days in a row. Always read the label carefully.
How to measure liquid medicines
Use the dropper, syringe, medicine cup, or dosing spoon that comes with the medicine. If the medicine does not come with a dosing tool, ask your pharmacist or doctor to give you one to use. Never use teaspoons, tablespoons, or other household spoons to measure medicine.
Be sure to use a dosing tool that is just right to fit the dose you want to measure. The tool should not be too big, or too small. Using a dosing tool that is too big makes it easy to give too much medicine. Using a dosing tool that is too small means having to measure more than one time to give the right amount. This makes it easier to give the wrong amount.
Medicine can be measured in different ways. You may see teaspoon (tsp), tablespoon (tbsp or TBSP), or milliliters (mL, ml, or mLs) on the dosing tool. It is easier to measure the right amount with a dosing tool that uses milliliters (mL).
Look very carefully at how the dose amount is written. Be especially careful if you see a period (“.”) in the middle of the number. For example, “0.5 mL” is not the same as “5 mL”. Mixing these up can mean giving 10 times more medicine than your child needs. Or it may mean giving your child 10 times less medicine.
If you are not sure how much medicine to give your child, talk to your doctor or a pharmacist.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist to show you how much medicine to give using the tool you plan to use at home.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist how much you plan to give, or use your tool to point to how much you plan to give. Then ask if what you said is correct.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist to write down the instructions on a piece of paper for you to take home.
Be sure to ask the doctor or pharmacist to give you information in the language you prefer. Having an interpreter help give you instructions, and having information written down in the language you prefer, means that you will be less likely to make an error.
Ask questions. Many parents have trouble understanding medicine instructions. If you are confused about how to give your child a medicine, it is better to ask questions than to give the medicine incorrectly.
Keep your dosing tool with your medicine so that it is easy to remember to use them together. Keep them up and away, and out of sight of young children. That way they won’t get into them when you are not watching.
Different ways of measuring medicine and what they mean
There are many ways to measure medicine – it is best to measure using milliliters instead of using teaspoons or tablespoons. Use a dosing tool that has markings with milliliters on it.
Remember: never use a kitchen spoon to measure out medicine. This is because kitchen spoons come in lots of different sizes. If you see instructions in teaspoons (tsp) or tablespoons (Tbsp), and you are confused, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Medicine cups
Be sure to use the cup that comes with the medicine. These often come over the lids of liquid cold and flu medicines. Don’t mix and match cups to different medicines. You might end up giving the wrong amount.
Don’t just fill it up. Look carefully at the lines and letters on the cup. Use the numbers to fill the cup to the right line. Ask your pharmacist or doctor to mark the right line for your child if you are not sure. Put the cup on a flat surface, like a table, to check if you have it filled to the right amount. Holding a cup tipped, or at an angle, can make you measure the wrong amount.
Dosing spoons
These work well for older children who can “drink” from the spoon. Use only the spoon that comes with the medicine. Be sure to use the lines and numbers to get the right amount for your child. Ask your pharmacist or doctor to mark the right line if you are not sure how much to give.
Droppers or syringes
Don’t just fill the dropper or syringe to the top. Read the directions carefully to see how much to give your child. Look at the numbers on the side of the dropper or syringe. Use the numbers to fill it to the right line. Or ask your pharmacist or doctor to mark the right line if you are not sure. (If the syringe has a cap, throw it away before you use it. The cap could choke your child.)
Don’t put the medicine in the back of the throat. Instead, squirt it gently between your child’s tongue and the side of the mouth. This makes it easier to swallow.
If it is important to measure the exact right amount, an oral syringe is usually the best dosing tool to use. This is especially true when you are measuring an amount that is less than 5 mL. If your medicine does not come with an oral syringe, talk to your pharmacist or doctor to see if you should use one, and if they can give you one.
Learn how to give your child eye drops and eye ointment with these step-by-step instructions:
Wash your hands.
Cleaning your child’s eyes.
Use a different area of a washcloth for each eye, and gently wipe the eye from the nose side outward with the washcloth.
If the eye has crusted material around it, wet a washcloth with warm water and place it over the eye.
Wait about 1 minute, and gently wipe the eye from nose side outward with the washcloth.
Place the washcloth on the eye and wait again.
If you cannot remove the crusting, rewet the washcloth. Then, try to gently remove the crusted drainage. Continue until all of the crusting is removed.
If both eyes need cleaning, use separate cloths for each eye. Clean the cloths before using them again.
Wash your hands again when you are finished.
Lay your child on his back on a flat surface.
If he will not lie still, place him on his back, head between your legs, and arms under your legs.
If needed, gently cross your lower legs over your child’s legs to keep him from moving.
Place a pillow under your child’s shoulders or a rolled up towel under his neck so that his head is tilited back. Ask your child to tilt his head back and up.
Apply eye ointment or eye drops. Eye Drops
Bring refrigerated meds to room temperature. Rub the medicine bottle between the palms of your hands to warm the drops.
Shake the bottle if the label instructs you to.
Tell your child to look up and to the other side. The eye drops should flow away from your child’s nose.
Place the wrist of the hand you will be using to give the drops on your child’s forehead.
Bring the dropper close (within 1 inch) of the eye.
Drop the medicine in the lower eyelid, away from the tear ducts, which are located in the lower inner corner of the eye.
Tell your child to look up and to the other side. The eye ointment should flow away from the child’s nose.
Place the wrist of the hand you will be using to give the ointment on your child’s forehead.
Pull down slightly and gently on the skin below the eye, just above the cheekbone.
Bring the tube close (within 1 inch) of the eye.
Apply a thin line of ointment along the lower eyelid.
Rotate the tube when you reach the edge of the outer eye. This will help detach the ointment from the tube.
Ask your child to close or blink his eyes for a minute to allow the eye drops or ointment to be dispersed throughout the eye.
Wipe away any excess medication or tearing with a clean tissue.
Rinse the dropper with water OR wipe the tip of the ointment tube with a clean tissue.
Replace the dropper to the bottle OR the cap on the tube immediately after each use.
Wash your hands and note of the time the medication was given.
Has your child’s pediatrician has prescribed or recommended ear drops? Following these steps can help ease the process and ensure the drops work properly:
Getting ready
Read all the directions that came with the medicine, and make sure you have the correct bottle.
Wash both your hands and your child’s hands.
Rub the medicine bottle between the palms of your hands or place in warm water to warm the drops.
Feel a drop to make sure the drops aren’t too hot or too cold.
Ask your child to lie down or sit with the affected ear facing up.
Observe for any discharge (think yellow or green substance), pus (cloudy) or blood in the ear. If there is any, do not give the medicine to your child.
If there is drainage (clear liquid) remove it with a clean tissue or cotton topped applicator. Do NOT clean any more than the outer ear.
Giving the drops
Place the wrist of the hand you will be using to give the medicine on the cheek or head.
Place the dropper/nozzle above your child’s ear canal. For children under age 3:
Gently pull the outer flap of the affected ear DOWNWARD and backward to straighten the ear canal.
Look for the ear canal to open.
For children over age 3:
Gently pull the outer flap of the affected ear UPWARD and backward to straighten the ear canal.
Look for the ear canal to open.
Squeeze the dropper slowly and firmly to release the right amount of medicine on the side of the ear canal.
Try to put the drops in so they can run along the side of the ear canal. This can help let air escape as the medicine flows in.
After giving ear drops
Ask your child to remain lying down for a couple minutes to help the medicine reach the deepest part of the ear canal and be absorbed.
Gently rub the skin in front of the ear or move the ear to help the drops flow to the inside of the ear.
Place a cotton ball in your child’s affected ear to help prevent the medicine from leaking out. Replace the cotton ball each time the medicine is given. Avoid putting q-tips into the ear.
Rinse the dropper tip in water after each use before capping or returning it to the bottle.
Replace the cap immediately after use.
Wash your hands and note the time the medication was given.
Be sure to use the drops as directed for the length of time prescribed.
