Medications and Your Child

Whether you’re giving your child something to ease a cold, or some kind of supplement to their diet, medication (and medicine-adjacent products) for children can be a minefield.

What’s beneficial and in what way, versus what might not be so great, are two concerns that affect every parent. We take a look at some of the more common or interesting medications available today.

For Illness

If you’re a parent, there’s nothing worse than seeing your child upset. Perhaps they’ve caught a cold or are suffering from diarrhea, and you don’t know what could help them. Even though many drugs we take as adults are okay for children, it’s incredibly important to find out the correct dosage.

Paracetamol 

If you have a child aged over 1 month, paracetamol is suitable for treating symptoms of fever and pain. Never give newborns paracetamol yourself, as this should only be done under medical supervision.

Ibuprofen

Another common drug, but only suitable for children aged over 3 months. This can be used to treat similar symptoms as paracetamol, but should never be given to a child who has asthma or is dehydrated.

Supplements

Sometimes a parenting style plays a part in what medicine a child has. If your son or daughter is otherwise in good health, you may, for example, want to give them extra vitamins.

Vitamins

Children who don’t eat a varied diet may not get enough vitamins A and C. It can also be challenging to ensure your child gets enough vitamin D through food alone. It may vary by country, but generally speaking, children from 6 months to 5 years old are often recommended daily vitamin supplements to help make sure they grow up happy and healthy.

Iron

As your infant starts to eat more solid food (usually from around 6 months old), supplementing their formula or breast milk with iron-rich foods such as cereal, beans or meat can help them maintain their daily iron needs.

Natural Products

We all have ‘home remedies’ in our family, and with children, it’s no different. Perhaps your granny’s been giving babies in the family the same drink for fifty years, or you grow your own vegetables to puree for your child.

Apple Water

Cutting up an apple and boiling it in water for 20 minutes produces sweet water that can be added to a baby’s formula to help ease an upset stomach. 

Honey and Lemon

For anyone aged over 1-year-old, warming up a teaspoon of honey in a mixture of lemon juice and water can be a great drink to ease a sore throat, or warm you up on a cold night.

Medical Food

Medical foods contain specially-processed natural ingredients which are intended to provide nutrients and restore function for a specific condition or disorder.

Vayarin

Often linked with treating ADHD in children, Vayarin contains omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, which can sometimes be referred to as krill oil. In a nutshell, these kinds of fatty acids may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.

Palmitoylethanolamide

As noted by PeaCURE: “Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) is a fatty acid amide, and it is a naturally occurring substance within our bodies. Fatty acid amides are vital to the chemical signaling processes within our bodies.” In other words, it can help with inflammation and chronic pain. Amazingly, this has been shown to have positive effects on children with autism.

The Bottom Line

Like with adults, giving medication to children requires common sense and care, but there’s also a question of parenting styles. Ultimately, how you medicate your child and what with, is a matter of personal taste. Just remember to seek a professional opinion if you’re not sure what to do.