HOW TO GIVE VITAMINS OR MEDICINE TO YOUR INFANT?

Part of infants' development is the maturation of mouth patterns. At birth, you will notice that their mouth patterns consist of sucking, swallowing, tongue thrust, rooting and gag reflex. These are all innate to infants up to 5 months old.

One reason why it could be sometimes difficult to give medicine or vitamins to infants is because of the tongue thrust reflex. When you place an object, like a spoon, into an infant's mouth, the tongue will automatically push it out. In a way, this is a protective mechanism for them from choking.

Next time you give your baby his/her vitamins, you might want to try giving it through a needle-free syringe or medicine feeder.

Here's how:

1. Measure the dose through the syringe.

2. Put the syringe in his/her mouth.

3. Slowly squirt the contents into his/her cheek - not the back of his mouth, since this may cause choking.

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