We have common problems for kids at our homes. This article Cold Flu Syrup Dosage for Infants & Babies helps you for sure if you have children at your home.
There are varieties of cough and cold medicines available including syrups and drops over the counter (OTC). According to The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), children under the age of 2 should never be given over-the-counter (OTC) cough or cold medications. However, most cough and cold medicine manufacturers state that cough and cold medicine should not be given to children under the age of 4.
Causes of COLD
Since children’s cough may be associated with a broad array of situations, it is helpful to consider possible causes under various categories.
The most common cause of a child’s cough is infection with the common cold (upper respiratory tract infection). Infants will suffer from cough causing from nasal allergies, wheezing, GERD, and foreign object that may also cause choking.
Though curing cold flu for infants is a tough job, paediatricians say these strategies may help:
- If the child is 3 months of age or younger at the first sign of an illness, call the child’s doctor right away.
- By using the appropriate medication suggested by the doctor such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) the fever can be reduced. Do not use ibuprofen and aspirin in children under age 6 months or if your child is vomiting or dehydrated and to avoid the risk of Reye’s syndrome, a rare but serious disease.
- Using honey for coughs or sore throat for infants will be fine if they are older than age 1 as honey can be toxic to infants.
- To clear thick mucus out of your child’s nose try saline drops or spray. Also, give your child plenty of liquids to increase hydration and help thin mucus.
- Use a humidifier in your child’s room to add moisture to the dry air. If your child wheezes, call the paediatrician. To ease congestion, keep the child’s head elevated when resting.
- Other treatments may be needed to help open airways.
How to use Infants’ Cold Drops & Syrup?
- If you are taking the over-the-counter
product, read all directions on the product package before giving this
medication and on consulting your pharmacist.
- Put this medication by mouth with or without food or as directed by the concerned paediatrician. This dosage can be taken with food or milk if stomach upset occurs.
- For liquid form of medicine, measure carefully the prescribed dose with a medication-marking device or spoon. Try to refrain from using household spoons for incorrect dose. Shake the bottle well if your liquid form is a suspension, before using.
- Chewable forms of this medication can be chewed thoroughly before swallowing.
- The dosage depends on the age of the patient. Do not increase the dose or take this medication more often before your doctor’s approval. Abuse or improper use of this medication may result in serious harm (e.g., brain damage, seizure, death).
Cold and cough medicines to be avoided for infants and children
These 4 categories of drugs are not for children under the age of 4 (or 2, depending upon the doctor’s recommendation), and include:
1. Cough expectorants (guaifenesin)
2. Cough suppressants (dextromethorphan, DM)
3. Decongestants (pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine)
4. Certain antihistamines like brompheniramine, chlorpheniramine maleate, and diphenhydramine (Benadryl)