Kids & Baby

Children's and infant health products — fever and pain relief, allergy medicines, vitamins, digestive support, sunscreen and nasal care. Brands include Advil, Tylenol, Aerius, Claritin, Enfamil, allKiDz and HydraSense. Shipping across Canada.

Dose by weight, not age

This is the single most important thing on this page. Children's medicine dosing charts use weight because children of the same age vary enormously in size. Age bands on packaging are a rough guide; weight gives the accurate dose.

Use the measuring device that comes with the product — a kitchen teaspoon is not a reliable measure and is a common source of dosing errors. If your child is between sizes or you're unsure, check with a pharmacist or your child's healthcare provider before giving a first dose.

Fever and pain

Acetaminophen and ibuprofen are both used in children, in child-specific concentrations. Note that infant drops and children's syrup are often different strengths of the same medicine — they are not interchangeable millilitre for millilitre.

Never give ASA (aspirin) to a child or teenager unless specifically directed by a doctor. Its use in children during viral illness is associated with Reye's syndrome, a rare but serious condition.

Cough and cold in young children

Health Canada advises against over-the-counter cough and cold medicines for children under six. They haven't been shown to work well in this age group and carry real risks. For infants and toddlers, saline drops, a humidifier, and keeping fluids up are what's recommended.

Saline products are safe at any age and can be used as often as needed — for a blocked infant nose they're genuinely the first-line option, not a lesser substitute.

Vitamins for children

Most children eating a varied diet don't need a multivitamin. Vitamin D is the common exception in Canada, particularly for breastfed infants and through the winter months. Formats include drops, liquids, chewables and gummies. Keep gummies out of reach — they look like candy, and iron-containing supplements in particular are dangerous in overdose.

Related categories

Children's fever & pain, allergy, sunscreen, cough & congestion and digestive support.

Call a healthcare provider promptly for a fever in an infant under three months, a fever that persists beyond a couple of days, difficulty breathing, unusual drowsiness, dehydration, or if your child seems significantly unwell regardless of temperature. If you suspect a child has taken too much of any medicine, contact your provincial poison centre immediately.

Guide: Children's fever and pain: acetaminophen vs ibuprofen