Spoons are for Soup, Milliliters are for Medicine

Back to the Feature Protect Your Children: Store & Use Medicines Safely

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 Program website.