Spoons are for Soup, Milliliters are for Medicine

Spoons are for Soup
- Do not use household spoons to give medicines.
- Spoons come in all shapes and sizes. Using a tablespoon instead of a teaspoon can mean 3 times too much medicine for your child.
Milliliters (mL) are for Medicine
- Use the oral syringe or dosing cup that comes with your liquid medicine to make sure your child gets the right amount.
- Ask your pharmacist if you don’t have one.
To learn more, visit CDC’s Medication Safety website.
- Page last reviewed: June 18, 2018
- Page last updated: June 18, 2018
- Content source:
- National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion
- Page maintained by: Office of the Associate Director for Communication, Digital Media Branch, Division of Public Affairs