Pain and Fever Reducers: Which Is Right for Your Child?

Pain and Fever Reducers: Which Is Right for Your Child?


1. Never give your child any kind of aspirin (I cannot stress this enough) -- not even baby aspirin, which is not for babies. Aspirin can cause Reye's syndrome. Many of you might remember taking baby aspirin in your own childhood, but that was before anyone knew better. Let me repeat: Baby aspirin is not for babies or kids under 16.

2. Always treat your child, not the fever. If your child has a mild fever but appears happy and playful, it is not necessary to give your child a fever reducer. Germs don't like higher body temperatures, so if your child is fighting an infection and does not seem uncomfortable, I'd skip the meds. The immune system has warmed up and is doing its work.

3. Do not give ibuprofen to infants under 6 months old or to kids who are dehydrated or vomiting. It can cause gastritis and stomach pains.


5. As always, be very careful with dosing. If you give your child medicine on your own, always follow the dosing instructions on the label. In certain situations, your pediatrician might recommend a different dose of ibuprofen or acetaminophen than what the label recommends, depending on your child's condition. In that case, follow your doctor's instructions to the letter.

