I read in The Times newspaper this morning that parents are being warned not to give childen medicine with a teaspoon. This follows a study published in the International Journal of Clinical Practice that found that teaspoons can hold anything between 2.5ml and 7.3ml of medicine. As recommended doses are usually 1 or 2 lots of 5ml (depending on the medicine and the age of the child), using any old teaspoon from the cutlery drawer could put children at risk of an overdose. So it’s being recommended that parent make sure they use the 5ml measuring spoons usually provided, or a measuring syringe.
Children’s medicines such as Calpol, etc, also have a recommended time to wait between doses, usually 4 hours, and you have to adhere to these times, again to avoid overdosing. Which is why I designed the Baby Medicine Wheel (and Get Well Wheel for older children). You just rotate the numbered dial to the time the medicine is given, and you’ll know when the next dose can safely be administered.
If you’re looking after a poorly child (my sympathies, I’ve been there!) and would like the peace of mind a Baby Medicine Wheel (or Get Well Wheel) can give, they are available for a mere £3.99 (UK Postage and Packing is included in that price) from the Chiggs online shop or from some of our many stockists.
Only slightly off topic, I remember the first time I gave Holly medicine using a syringe. I didn’t realise how powerfully they can squirt, so I popped it into her mouth, firmly pushed the plunger, and wondered why she had a bit of a shocked look on her little face. I assummed it was something to do with her first taste of medicine- it was only when I was washing the syringe and saw the power of the jet of water squirt out that I realised why Holly had looked so startled!
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