1 Measure dose
2Reassure child or baby
Place in mouth
4 Deliver dose
1 Calm person
2Treat hyperventilation
168 FAMILY ILLNESS
GIVING LIQUID MEDICINES TO CHILDREN
1 Measure dose
• Use a syringe or dropper to avoid spillage and to ensure that you give the correct dose.
• If you are unsure how to use the syringe or dropper, ask your doctor or a pharmacist to show you how to measure and give a dose of medicine to a baby or child.
• Always measure out the dose before you pick up the child or baby; otherwise, you may not be able to do the job.
2Reassure child or baby
• Hold the child or baby securely on your lap to give reassurance and prevent possible struggling.
• Have a drink ready in case the taste is unpleasant to the child or baby.
• If the child or baby is nervous about taking the medicine, explain that the drug will help him feel better and stress that it will all be over very quickly.
3
Place in mouth
• For a child, place the tip of the syringe or dropper well inside the mouth and angle it toward a cheek.
• For a baby, touch his lips with the syringe or dropper to encourage him to open his mouth.
4 Deliver dose
• Slowly press the plunger or squeeze the dropper, allowing the child or baby time to swallow. Do not aim directly down the child or baby’ s throat; this could cause choking.
• If the child or baby spits out the medicine, wait until he has calmed down and then try again.
• Mix the medicine with a little jam, if this helps, but do not add it to a drink because it may stick to the sides of the cup.
DEALING WITH A PANIC ATTACK
1 Calm person
• Stay calm yourself and take the person to a quiet place.
2Treat hyperventilation
• If the person feels tingling in the fingers, it may be caused by too much carbon dioxide in the blood.
• Encourage her to breathe more slowly and to imitate you.
• Try holding a paper bag against her mouth, so that she rebreathes her own expired air, until her symptoms stop.