Pediatric Medication Guidance & Safety Tips — Washington DC
At Spring Valley Pediatrics in Washington, DC, we know that giving medications to children can raise questions and concerns. This guide offers trusted advice on pediatric medication safety, proper dosing, and when to consult your pediatrician to keep your child healthy and safe.
Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen Dosages
Use this information as a guideline for caring for your child. Your doctor may decide to adjust the dosage as appropriate for your child. Please remember to keep all medications out of your child’s reach at all times.
Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
Acetaminophen reduces fever and relieves pain. Typical uses include fevers, immunizations, teething, earaches, bruises, headaches, etc. Please notify us prior to using Tylenol for babies under 2 months of age.
Acetaminophen is available in the following forms:
- Infant/Children’s liquid: 160 mg/5 ml
- Children’s chews or meltaways: 80 mg each
- Junior-strength chews or meltaways: 160 mg each
- Adult regular-strength tablets: 325 mg each
- Rectal Suppository:120mg
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) Dosing Chart
May give acetaminophen dose every 4 – 6 hours:
| Weight | Tylenol Milligram Dosage |
Tylenol Infant/Children’s liquid 160mg/5ml |
Tylenol Chewables 80mg each |
Tylenol Junior 160mg each |
| 6 – 8 lbs
Ask your doctor before giving any medication to an infant under 3 months. |
40 mg | ¼ tsp (1.25 ml) | N/A | N/A |
| 9 – 11 lbs | 60 mg | ⅓ tsp (1.875 ml) | N/A | N/A |
| 12 – 17 lbs | 80 mg | ½ tsp (2.5 ml) | N/A | N/A |
| 18 – 23 lbs | 120 mg | 3/4 tsp (3.75 ml) | N/A | N/A |
| 24 – 35 lbs | 160 mg | 1 tsp (5 ml) | 2 tablets | 1 tablet |
| 36 – 47 lbs | 240 mg | 1 ½ tsp (7.5 ml) | 3 tablets | 1 ½ tablet |
| 48 – 59 lbs | 320 mg | 2 tsp (10 ml) | 4 tablets | 2 tablets |
| 60 – 71 lbs | 400 mg | 2 ½ tsp (12.5 ml) | 5 tablets | 2 ½ tablets |
| 72 – 95 lbs | 500 mg | 3 tsp (15 ml) | 6 tablets | 3 tablets |
Five Safety Tips for Acetaminophen
- Don’t give to a baby under 3 months without a doctor’s approval.
- Always use the measuring device that comes with the medicine.
- The proper dosage is based on weight, not age.
- Never give acetaminophen to a child who’s taking other medicines unless directed by a doctor. Other medicines may also contain acetaminophen, creating a dangerous overdose.
- Please remember to keep all medications out of your child’s reach at all times.
Ibuprofen Dosages
Use this information as a guideline for caring for your child. Your doctor may decide to adjust the dosage as appropriate for your child. Please remember to keep all medications out of your child’s reach at all times.
Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil)
Ibuprofen reduces fever, relieves pain, and fights inflammation. Typical uses include fevers, immunizations, teething, earaches, headache, sunburns, sore muscles, etc.
Ibuprofen should not be used in babies under six months of age.
Ibuprofen is available in the following forms:
– Infant drops (50mg/1.25ml) Note: 1.25 ml = 1 dropper
– Children’s liquid (100mg/5ml) Note: 5 ml = 1 tsp
– Chewable tablets (50mg)
– Junior strength tablets (100mg)
Ibuprofen (Motrin / Advil) Dosing Chart
May give ibuprofen dose every 6 – 8 hours:
| Weight | Motrin Milligram Dosage |
Motrin Infant drops 50mg/1.25ml |
Motrin Children’s liquid 100mg/5ml |
Motrin Chewables 50mg each |
Motrin Junior 100mg each |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 – 17 lbs | 50 mg | 1 dropper (1.25 ml) | ½ tsp (2.5 ml) | N/A | N/A |
| 18 – 23 lbs | 75 mg | 1 ½ dropper (1.875 ml) | 3/4 tsp (3.75 ml) | N/A | N/A |
| 24 – 35 lbs | 100 mg | 2 droppers (2.5 ml) | 1 tsp (5 ml) | 2 tablets | 1 tablet |
| 36 – 47 lbs | 150 mg | 3 droppers (3.75 ml) | 1 ½ tsp (7.5 ml) | 3 tablets | 1 ½ tablet |
| 48 – 59 lbs | 200 mg | N/A | 2 tsp (10 ml) | 4 tablets | 2 tablets |
| 60 – 71 lbs | 250 mg | N/A | 2 ½ tsp (12.5 ml) | 5 tablets | 2 ½ tablets |
| 72 – 95 lbs | 300 mg | N/A | 3 tsp (15 ml) | 6 tablets | 3 tablets |
We’re Here to Help
If you have questions about your child’s health, don’t hesitate to reach out. Call Spring Valley Pediatrics at 202-966-5000 or click here to request an appointment — we’re available every day, including weekends and holidays.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pediatric Medication
Is acetaminophen or ibuprofen better for my child’s fever?
Both are effective for reducing fever and relieving pain in children. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) can be used in babies as young as 2 months (with physician approval for under 3 months). Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) should not be used in children under 6 months. For older children, ibuprofen tends to last longer (6–8 hours versus 4–6 hours for acetaminophen) and also reduces inflammation, which makes it better for pain from injuries, sunburns, or sore muscles. If you are unsure which is right for your child, call Spring Valley Pediatrics at 202-966-5000.
Can I alternate Tylenol and Motrin for my child’s fever?
Yes — alternating acetaminophen and ibuprofen is a common and effective strategy for managing persistent or high fevers in children over 6 months. Because the two medications work differently and are processed through different pathways, alternating them allows more continuous fever control without exceeding the safe dosing interval for either drug. A typical approach is to give one medication, then give the other 3–4 hours later, then return to the first. Always use weight-based dosing (see the charts above) and call Spring Valley Pediatrics if your child’s fever is not responding or if you have questions about timing.
How do I know the correct dose of Tylenol or Motrin for my child?
Always dose by weight, not age. The dosing charts on this page show the correct amount for your child’s current weight. Use the measuring device that comes with the medication — never a kitchen spoon. If your child is between weight ranges, use the dose for the lower weight. If your child has recently gained weight, recalculate the dose — what was correct six months ago may now be too low.
How often can I give my child Tylenol (acetaminophen)?
Acetaminophen may be given every 4–6 hours as needed. Do not give more than 5 doses in 24 hours. Always wait the full interval between doses — giving it too frequently, even at the correct per-dose amount, can cause liver damage.
How often can I give my child Motrin or Advil (ibuprofen)?
Ibuprofen may be given every 6–8 hours as needed. Do not give more than 4 doses in 24 hours. Do not give ibuprofen to children under 6 months, and use with caution in children who are dehydrated or vomiting significantly — contact our office in those cases.
Can I give my child Tylenol along with cold or cough medicine?
Be very careful. Many over-the-counter cold and cough medicines already contain acetaminophen. Giving Tylenol on top of a cold medicine that includes acetaminophen can cause an accidental overdose. Always read the full ingredient list on any multi-symptom cold medicine before combining it with Tylenol. If you are unsure, call us before giving both.
My child’s fever is not going down with medication — what should I do?
Call Spring Valley Pediatrics at 202-966-5000. A fever that does not respond to appropriate doses of acetaminophen or ibuprofen, or a fever above 104°F, or a fever in a child under 3 months of age warrants a call regardless of what medications have been given. Do not increase the dose beyond the weight-based chart in an attempt to bring the fever down faster.
What should I do if my child takes too much acetaminophen or ibuprofen?
Call Poison Control immediately at 1-800-222-1222 — available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Do not wait for symptoms. Acetaminophen overdose is particularly serious because liver damage may not be apparent for 24–72 hours. If your child is unconscious, having difficulty breathing, or having a seizure, call 911.
Can I give ibuprofen to a baby under 6 months?
No. Ibuprofen is not recommended for infants under 6 months. For fever or pain in babies under 6 months, use acetaminophen at the appropriate weight-based dose. For babies under 3 months with any fever above 100.4°F, call Spring Valley Pediatrics or go to the emergency room immediately — do not treat with medication and wait.
Should I give my child medication to bring down every fever?
Not necessarily. Fever is the immune system’s response to infection and is not dangerous in most healthy children. The goal of medication is comfort — helping your child feel well enough to drink fluids and rest — not achieving a normal temperature number. If your child has a fever but is drinking fluids and is reasonably comfortable, it is acceptable to monitor without immediately giving medication. Call us if the fever is above 104°F, lasts more than 3 days, or your child seems very ill.
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