Remote Primary Health Care Manuals

Giving medicines to babies and young children

Well lit area.
Wear gloves.
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What you do

For infants

  • Use dropper or syringe to put one drop at a time onto tongue and wait for them to swallow — Figure 6.18
  • OR use syringe nozzle between gums and cheek to give small amounts at a time — wait for swallow reflex
  • OR if breast fed — use syringe nozzle between breast and side of baby’s mouth to give small amounts at a time — Figure 6.19

Figure 6.18  

Squeeze baby's cheeks to open mouth and insert medicine.

Figure 6.19  

Using syringe while breastfeeding.

For young children

  • Hold in positions shown — Figure 6.20, Figure 6.21, Figure 6.22
    • If kicking — put legs between carer’s thighs and ask carer to hold tight
  • For medicine — use syringe or cup. If cup, keep medicine cup to lips, so if child spits out syrup you can catch it and give it to them again
  • A fruit syrup may be used to improve the taste of medicine but makes the volume larger
  • Older children can be taught to swallow tablets where the dose allows. This is more reliable dosing and easier for parent and child

Figure 6.20  

Child sideways on carer’s lap with child’s head held firmly against their chest with one hand and child’s arms and body secured with other hand. 

Figure 6.21  

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Figure 6.22  

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