When you want to determine whether giving a medication, like an over-the-counter medication like Nyquil, is safe for babies, it’s important to read the bottle.
Most bottles have specific age recommendations for babies. It is not safe to give an infant Nyquil.
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Giving Babies Nyquil
Some parents have actually used a medicine dropper to give a baby a few drops of Nyquil to ensure that they sleep all night and that the parent can sleep all night.
While it might sound like a dream come true, those few drops of Nyquil can have disastrous consequences. It can also have some unintended consequences.
The Website Clearly States That It Can Cause Excitability In Children
If your goal is to help your little one sleep, Nyquil might not be the miracle worker that you think it is.
According to their website, this over the counter product can actually cause excitability in children. You might find that your little one is bouncing off the walls instead of laying down to get a good night’s sleep.
Nyquil Can Cause Brain Damage
The amount of Nyquil that you are supposed to take is based on several factors. If you use too much, which most people do when it comes to babies that aren’t supposed to have any, it can cause brain damage.
According to this article, it can also cause seizures or be fatal.
Liver Toxicity Can Be A Side Effect Of Too Much Acetaminaphin
Acetaminophen, a common ingredient found in medications like Tylenol, is also found in several over the counter medications. For example, Nyquil, Theraflu, and many other cough or cold medications contain acetaminophen.
This is found in so many over the counter medications that even adults are warned about using more than one otc remedy at a time to avoid liver toxicity, which is where this medication is processed.
This is particularly dangerous for babies. The recommended dose of Tylenol, for example, is extremely small.
There’s no way to tell if you’re giving your little one too much acetaminophen or not when you give them a product, like Nyquil, that has more than one active ingredient. Because of this, it’s best to stick to not giving them any.
Children’s Nyquil Is Recommended For Children 6-12
If your little one has a cold, and you’d like to give them something for it, consider Children’s Nyquil. This is recommended for kids above the age of 6 that aren’t quite old enough to have the adult version yet.
It provides an appropriate dose of otc medications and active ingredients to guarantee that your little one is safe. Make sure to follow the directions that are listed on the bottle to avoid accidentally giving your little one too much.
- Temporarily relieves cold symptoms: Cough due to minor throat and bronchial irritation; sneezing; runny nose
- Without alcohol, aspirin, or acetaminophen—so your child can rest, and you can relax
- For children 6 years and older
- Carefully read each label to ensure correct dosing
- Use as directed. Keep out of reach of children
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Children Over 12 Years Old Can Have Regular Nyquil
Once your child reaches 12, you can give them standard Nyquil. However, it’s important to know their weight to ensure that you give them the proper dosage.
If you give them too much, it can lead to them having the same complications that were mentioned above.
- ACTIVE INGREDIENTS: Active ingredients are Acetaminophen 650 mg, Dextromethorphan HBr 30 mg, and Doxylamine succinate, 125 mg Compare to the active ingredients of Vicks NyQuil Cold & Flu
- RELIEVES COLD & FLU SYMPTOMS: Amazon Basic Care Nighttime Cold & Flu Relief provides multi-symptom relief by helping with common symptoms such as aches, fever, cough, sneezing and runny nose
- NIGHTTIME COLD AND FLU RELIEF: Amazon Basic Care Nighttime Cold and Flu Relief relieves cold and flu symptoms so you can rest through the night
- EFFECTIVE: Acts as a pain reliever, fever reducer, cough suppressant and antihistamine
- GLUTEN FREE: This product is Gluten Free Does not contain Pseudoephedrine; contains 10% ALCOHOL
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Alternatives To Giving Your Baby Nyquil
A quick browse through online parenting forums will quickly inform you that there are two reasons people consider giving their baby Nyquil: to help them sleep or because they are sick.
Thankfully, there are some great solutions for both of these that aren’t going to put your little one in danger.
How To Help Your Baby Sleep
If your little one simply won’t fall asleep, I promise that you’re not alone. There are plenty of babies that have a hard time settling down to sleep at night. These tips will help you help them fall asleep:
- Make sure the room is quiet and relatively dark (a small light is okay)
- Enjoy some quiet time before bedtime (such as reading a story)
- Establish a bedtime routine
- Give your baby a massage
- Reduce noise as much as possible
- Make sure they are not hungry
- Give baths in the morning if they are exciting for your baby
Typically, making sure that your baby has an environment that promotes healthy sleep will help them sleep better. This includes activities that are both calming and soothing to little ones.
Home Remedies For Babies With Colds
A sick baby is a fussy baby. It can be hard to make sure that babies feel better. However, these ideas will help your little one breathe better and sleep peacefully.
- Clean out your baby’s nose with a nasal aspirator
- Invest in a humidifier
- Don’t forget to suction out mucous from their mouth
- Saline drops can make mucous thinner
- Run a hot shower, and sit with your baby in the steamy bathroom
- Use a non-medicated chest rub
- Use infant Tylenol or Ibuprofen with your pediatrician’s approval
These home remedies for a baby with a cold will help your little one start feeling a little better. They can also drastically reduce thick mucous that can be hard for your baby to eliminate on his own.
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Always Consult Your Pediatrician Before Giving Your Baby Medicine
Before giving your baby medicine, even over the counter medication, it’s important to consult your pediatrician.
There are a lot of over the counter medications, like Vicks VapoRub or Nyquil, that are not safe for babies. It’s always better to be safe instead of sorry.
In Conclusion
It’s not safe to give babies Nyquil. If your baby is having a hard time sleeping or has a cold, try some of the other methods that are listed above, like a humidifier. When in doubt, always give your pediatrician a call.
