Infant's Acetaminophen Dosages

Acetaminophen is one of the hardest drugs to give correctly, because it's sold in many forms. This chart can help you give your child the right amount. I know through having four babies of my own that with each new baby it seemed there was always a change. Whether it be from belly sleeping to back sleeping or dosing by age to dosing by weight....here's the up and up on Tylenol dosing for now!

Acetaminophen safety tips

• The correct dose for your child is based on weight, not age. If you don't know how much your child weighs and he's too young to stand on a scale, weigh yourself while holding him and then weigh yourself alone. Subtract your weight from the combined weight to get your child's weight.
• Don't give acetaminophen to a baby under 3 months without a doctor’s approval.
• Shake liquid medicine well before measuring.
• Use the measuring device that comes with the medicine and do not give more than recommended. If you lose the device, get a replacement from the pharmacy or use a standard measuring teaspoon (the kind used for baking), not a regular spoon used for eating.
• Never give acetaminophen to a child who's taking other medicine that contains acetaminophen unless a doctor advises it.
• Infants' and children's liquid acetaminophen (both labeled "oral suspension") have the same concentration: 160 mg per 5 ml. The only difference is that the infant version comes with a syringe and the children's version comes with a cup. 
  (Note: A more concentrated version of infant acetaminophen "drops" was discontinued in the United States in 2011 and should be discarded if it’s still in your home. Concentrated infant drops may still be sold in other countries.)
• You can repeat the dose every four hours. Don't give more than five doses in 24 hours.