728x90
my iParenting
From Our Sponsors
e-newsletters
Sign up to receive our free weekly e-newsletters

new terms of use
new privacy policy
award-winning products
The iParenting Media Awards program helps parents find the best products for their families.
Home › Articles › Babies › Medicating Baby's First Illness

Medicating Baby's First Illness

Caution Required!

By Carma Haley Shoemaker

Pages:  1  2  3  4  

Many parents are unaware that improper use of certain over-the-counter cold medications could be harmful to their children's health. According to Pharmacia Corporation, the parent company for PediaCare, 61 percent of American parents admit to over-medicating or mis-medicating their baby on at least one occasion.

A parent's lack of awareness about various medicines may lead to unintentional medicating mistakes, thus putting a baby at risk for harmful side effects. "To safely care for their baby, parents should choose products that only treat the symptoms their baby has, are made to treat babies and should read labels carefully," says Dr. Mary Jo DiMilia, assistant professor of medicine and pediatrics at Mt. Sinai School of Medicine in New York City. "In addition to combining medications, exceeding the recommended dosage is also of concern. It's important for parents to realize that 'more is not better.'"

Medications to Avoid
There are many common medications that are often given in error to infants and young children. Here are several that you should avoid:

Aspirin
One of the most readily available medications on the over-the-counter market – aspirin – is a definite "never" medication for babies. "Aspirin is and should be a medication for adults," says Dr. Denise Salerno, a pediatrician at Temple University Children's Medical Center in Philadelphia, Pa. "Aspirin is associated with Reye's syndrome, which can cause failure of multi-organ systems in the body. This is one medication that should be put out of children's reach and away from a baby's medications to avoid accidental use."

Anti-nausea Medication
The body has a natural function to dispel something that does not, or should not, be there. This is the purpose and function of vomiting. "When a baby vomits, the body is trying to get rid of something bad," says Dr. Salerno. "If you stop this process – especially by giving an anti-nausea medication – you inhibit this process and can worsen whatever the ailment or illness is. It is better, instead, to let nature take its course and console and comfort your child instead of medicating them."


Pages:  1  2  3  4  

Want to see more?

Comments

There are no comments for this article yet.Be the first to add a comment.

Post As:
Enter your comment below:
Title
Comment Text
CAPTCHA
Please note that any comments submitted become the property of Disney Family / iParenting and can be edited and posted at our discrection.