Infant versus Childrens Motrin

I bought Childrens Motrin today and then realized it's only approved for kids 2 years and up. However... the weight limit for the lowest level dose is 24 pounds. Cricket is 23.5 pounds but only 17 months old. I assume I can give her the Children's Motrin, but just a little less than the 1 teaspoon that a 2 year old 24 pound kid should get.

Has anyone else done this? Are there reasons I need to continue to give Infant Motrin until my girls are actually two?

 

The difference between childrens and infants is the amount of medicine per amount of liquid. Infants is much more concentrated so you don't have to give as much to little mouths. If yours meet the weight limits and will drink out of the cup, then I don't see a reason not to use the childrens.

ETA - I was always told that it was more important to go by the dose for weight than age.

 

I've never used Infant drops in either Tylenol or Motrin (nor have I used name brand). We got a chart from our Pediatrician's office that doses per weight in the various strengths & pharmacies have it, too (I know our Walgreens does). ALWAYS dose by weight when you can!!! My boys are around your DD's weight & take 5ml (1 tsp)...they have for quite a while, actually. I use a syringe b/c mine wouldn't do the cup...I got the syringe from Walgreens or from various prescriptions we've had in the past.

You get a LOT more for your money if you go for the Children's vs the Infant's & even MORE SO if you go generic (which has the same ingredients)!!!!!

 

The children's is fine. DH's aunt is a pediatric ER nurse, and goes to conventions where she gets millions of samples of OTC medicines -- which she happily passes on to us. So, I've been using children's Motrin for some time now, because we have so many bottles of it.

The askdrsears.com website has really good dosing info, BTW -- I've used it for Motrin, Tylenol, Benadryl and Sudafed.

My kiddos are upwards of 23 and 25 pounds, and they drink the children's Motrin fine out of the little cup -- so it's all good! (I give them 5 ml or 1 tsp, also.)

 

Yes, we've been using the "children's" version as well as the "adult" liquid version of Tylenol (branded Rapid Release). FWIW, the Rapid Release is exactly the same strength as children's Tylenol but it's less expensive and only comes in the yucky cherry flavor (no icky grape). The bottle never gives dosing instructions contrary to branding so you have to do a little math but there is no difference in the medicine.