There are few things as difficult to manage as a parent than having a child who is in pain. As a parent, you want to do everything in your power to take that pain away from them, no matter what the cost. This can often lead to giving children pain relievers like ibuprofen to help with their aches and pains. But this can come with some costs that parents don’t realize, some of which you may be better off avoiding. Here are three things that you should know about giving pain relievers to help you make more informed decisions.
When Pain Relievers Are Appropriate?
The first thing that you should know about giving kids pain relievers is when giving your kids pain relievers is appropriate, and when it is inappropriate. Not every single ache and pain that your kid has is a reason to break out pain killers. If your kid has a minor cut, scrape, or bruise, while they may feel that their injury requires pain relievers or intense medical care, the truth is a kiss from mom or dad should make them feel better. When your child is dealing with more serious injuries, illness, and fever, or recovering from surgery, pain relievers are more than appropriate to manage their pain.
Consider Their Age and Weight
The next thing that you should know about giving kids pain relievers is that you need to consider their age and weight when deciding on an appropriate dose. Over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen and ibuprofen, like all other drugs, are dose dependent, and too much or too little can cause unwanted effects. Both ibuprofen and acetaminophen are acceptable options for children at least six months old. Make sure that you are following the dosing instructions for children as accurately as possible to avoid giving too much.
You Can Alternate Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen
The final thing that you should know about giving kids pain relievers is that you can alternate between ibuprofen and acetaminophen if necessary. You are only supposed to take so much of each drug in a row, and alternating can be a good way to ensure your kids are getting the pain relief they need, without overdoing either option. Just be sure you are keeping an eye on dosing, as they are different drugs with different dosages.
When your child is in pain, the only thing you care about is making them feel better. Which is why it is essential that you know how to properly give pain relievers to your children safely. Make sure you know these three things when giving kids pain relievers to ensure they feel better and remain safe.
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