October 16, 2024, 11:30 a.m.
The Hospitalist Team
As a parent, juggling the daily responsibilities of caring for your child can sometimes feel overwhelming, including making sure your kids get their daily vitamins and any other medications they need.
With so many tasks to manage, even the most organized among us can occasionally slip up and find ourselves in a situation where we accidentally give a child two doses of a vitamin or medication. If that happens, you should call the National Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222 and follow their care instructions.
To help prevent overdosing, here are some strategies to ensure your child gets their daily vitamins, supplements or medications only once daily.
- Use a pill organizer: Utilize a pill organizer with compartments for each day of the week. This allows any parent to quickly see whether the dose for the day has been taken. It's also handy for children who take multiple vitamins or medications, keeping everything in one place and accounted for.
- Set a daily reminder: Use your smartphone to set a daily reminder at the same time each day, ensuring consistency in administering vitamins and medications.
- Assign the task to one person: Designate one parent as the "vitamin giver" to avoid double dosing. If that person is unavailable, communicate clearly when the responsibility is handed over.
- Create a visual cue: Keep a checklist or logbook visible in the kitchen or bathroom, where you can mark off when your child has taken their vitamins or medications.
- Use a medication tracking app: If you prefer digital solutions, consider using a medication tracking app that sends reminders and allows both parents to check off when a dose has been administered.
- Sync with a routine task: Combine providing the vitamin or medication with another daily routine, such as brushing teeth or eating breakfast. This makes it easier to remember and establish as part of the day's routine.
- Involve your child: If your child is old enough, involve them in the process. They can help remind you when it's time for their vitamin or medication. This also teaches them responsibility and the importance of their health.
These strategies can help streamline your daily routine and give you peace of mind, ensuring your child gets their vitamins, supplements or medications safely and consistently daily.
In case of a medical emergency with a child, determine where the nearest accredited, Level I pediatric trauma center is located. St. Louis Children's Hospital has six pediatric emergency department locations across the St. Louis and southern Illinois region. These include: St. Louis Children’s Hospital, Children’s Hospital at Memorial Hospital Belleville, Children’s Hospital at Memorial Hospital Shiloh, Children’s Hospital at Missouri Baptist Medical Center, Children’s Hospital at Northwest HealthCare and Children’s Hospital at Progress West Hospital.
