Never Use Household Spoons for Children's Medicine Dosing: Safety Guide
Every year, poison control centers receive over 10,000 calls about children getting the wrong dose of liquid medicine. A big part of these errors comes from household spoons common kitchen utensils that vary in size, causing dangerous dosing errors in children.
Why household spoons are dangerous
Household spoons aren't made for medicine. A standard medical teaspoon is exactly 5 milliliters (mL), but the spoons in your kitchen? They can hold anywhere from 3 mL to 7 mL. That's a 40% difference. Research from the National Institutes of Health a U.S. agency funding health research found nearly 40% of parents made mistakes when measuring doses with household spoons. Over 41% got the prescribed dose wrong. These errors can lead to overdoses or underdoses, both dangerous for kids.
Imagine this: your child needs 5 mL of medicine. If you use a kitchen spoon that holds 7 mL, you're giving 40% more than prescribed. Too much medicine can cause serious side effects. If the spoon holds only 3 mL, the medicine won't work. This is why the CDC Centers for Disease Control and Prevention runs the 'Spoons are for Soup' campaign. They say, 'Milliliters (mL) are for Medicine' and 'Spoons are for Soup'.
The science behind measurement errors
A 2016 Academic Pediatrics a peer-reviewed medical journal study found that labels using 'tsp' or 'teaspoon' made parents more likely to use kitchen spoons. When labels said 'mL' instead, only 10% of parents chose a kitchen spoon. That's a 23 percentage point difference. The study also showed that spelling out 'teaspoon' instead of using 'tsp' increased the chance of using a kitchen spoon. The Consumer Medication Safety Institute an organization focused on medication safety reports that 75% of Americans still use kitchen spoons for medicine, despite decades of warnings.
Even small measurement errors matter because children's bodies process medicine differently. A tiny overdose can cause breathing problems or seizures. An underdose might not treat the infection, leading to worse health outcomes. The poison control centers organizations that handle poisoning emergencies field over 10,000 calls yearly about pediatric dosing errors. Most of these involve liquid medicines measured with household spoons.
What to use instead of household spoons
Always use the measuring device that comes with the medicine. The best tools are oral syringes calibrated medical devices for precise liquid measurement and dosing cups with clear mL markings. Oral syringes are especially accurate for doses under 5 mL. They have fine lines to measure as small as 0.1 mL.
Here's how to use an oral syringe:
- Hold the syringe at eye level to avoid parallax errors.
- Draw the medicine up to the correct line on the syringe.
- Give the medicine slowly, aiming for the side of the child's mouth.
- Never use the syringe to measure more than the prescribed dose.
Dosing cups also work well, but they're less precise for small doses. Always read the lines carefully. If your medicine doesn't come with a measuring device, ask your pharmacist. They'll give you a free oral syringe or dosing cup. The FDA U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends using only milliliter measurements for liquid medicines.
Common mistakes parents make
Even with the right tools, mistakes happen. Here are the most common ones:
- Using the wrong end of the syringe (e.g., the tip instead of the plunger).
- Not measuring at eye level, which causes inaccurate readings.
- Guessing the dose instead of reading the numbers.
- Using a tablespoon for a teaspoon dose (which triples the dose).
- Not checking the medicine label for mL measurements.
One parent shared that they used a tablespoon for 5 mL of medicine, thinking it was the same as a teaspoon. The child ended up with a dangerous overdose. Always double-check the units. If the label says '5 mL', that's five milliliters - not a teaspoon. The pharmacists healthcare professionals who dispense medications say that clear instructions reduce errors by up to 20%. Ask them for help if you're unsure.
What to do if you used a household spoon
Accidents happen. If you accidentally used a household spoon for your child's medicine, don't panic. Contact your pharmacist or healthcare provider immediately. They'll help you assess the risk. If you gave too much medicine, they might recommend monitoring for side effects. If you gave too little, they can adjust the next dose. Never try to 'correct' the dose yourself by giving extra medicine. Always follow professional advice.
The Consumer Medication Safety Institute an organization focused on medication safety emphasizes that most dosing errors can be prevented with proper tools and education. They report that when pharmacists provide oral syringes with clear mL markings, error rates drop significantly.
How healthcare providers are improving safety
Hospitals and pharmacies are taking steps to reduce dosing errors. The FDA U.S. Food and Drug Administration and American Academy of Pediatrics a professional organization for pediatricians jointly recommend milliliter-only labeling on all pediatric medications. Many drug manufacturers are adopting this standard. For example, Aspirus pharmacies now include oral syringes with all pediatric liquid medications, as noted in their March 2024 publication.
Pharmacists are also providing clear instructions. They explain how to use the measuring device and emphasize that 'milliliters are for medicine'. The CDC Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continues to update its 'Spoons are for Soup' campaign materials. These efforts are making a difference. Studies show that when medications are labeled in mL and proper tools are provided, error rates decrease by 20 percentage points.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can't I use a regular spoon to measure my child's medicine?
Household spoons vary in size. A standard medical teaspoon is exactly 5 mL, but kitchen spoons can hold between 3 mL and 7 mL. This inconsistency can lead to dangerous overdoses or underdoses. For example, if the doctor prescribes 5 mL and you use a kitchen spoon that holds 7 mL, you're giving 40% more medicine than intended. Always use the measuring device that comes with the medicine or ask your pharmacist for one.
What should I do if my medicine doesn't come with a measuring device?
Ask your pharmacist for a free oral syringe or dosing cup. They're designed for precise measurements and often come with clear mL markings. Never use household spoons or other kitchen utensils. Pharmacists report that providing these tools reduces dosing errors by up to 20%. It's a simple step that keeps your child safe.
How do I measure liquid medicine accurately with an oral syringe?
Hold the syringe at eye level to avoid parallax errors. Draw the medicine up to the correct line on the syringe. Give the medicine slowly, aiming for the side of the child's mouth. Never use the syringe to measure more than the prescribed dose. For doses under 5 mL, oral syringes are the most accurate tool. Always double-check the measurement before giving the medicine.
Can I use a tablespoon instead of a teaspoon for my child's medicine?
Never use a tablespoon for a teaspoon dose. A tablespoon is three times larger than a teaspoon. If the prescription says 5 mL (one teaspoon), using a tablespoon would deliver 15 mL - three times the intended dose. This can cause serious overdose symptoms like dizziness, nausea, or even seizures. Always check the label for 'mL' measurements and use the correct tool.
Are there any exceptions where household spoons are safe for medicine?
No. Household spoons are never safe for measuring medicine. Their inconsistent size makes them unreliable for precise dosing. Even if you think your spoon is 'close enough', the risk of error is too high. The American Academy of Pediatrics a professional organization for pediatricians explicitly states that 'Household spoons may seem handy for giving children liquid medicines, but using them could lead to an overdose.' Always use medical-grade measuring devices.
