Okay, this may sound like a really goofy question, but I've always wondered how everyone else dispenses children's medicine with droppers (like infant Tylenol) when their kids are sick. If your child is supposed to take two dropperfuls, do you completely wash the dropper between doses or do you give them two consecutive doses from the bottle? Do you contaminate the Tylenol that way and would the germs actually get in there and stay there? I've always pondered this and thought this would be a great place to ask. TIA

By Gammiejoan on Tuesday, November 25, 2003 - 08:35 pm:

I looked at your post earlier but didn't respond because I really don't know the answer. It's not a goofy question, but I've just not ever thought about it. With my children and grandchildren, I guess I occasionally used a dropper when they were very young; but I soon switched to a dispenser that the liquid could be poured into and then given to the child. I don't think germs would live very long in medication, but then again I'm not sure. Maybe someone else knows the answer.

By Bobbie on Tuesday, November 25, 2003 - 09:43 pm:

NO clue never thought about it. I never used the droppers though. I went out and bought a couple of those medicine syringes and I used those. I have spitters. Put it in they spit it back at me. So if I used the syringes I could shoot it right in the back of their throat. And that a washed after each use. They use cups now and no more spitting. LOL Thank GOD!!

By Kate on Tuesday, November 25, 2003 - 11:03 pm:

Oh I've always wondered what people do in this situation! I used to rinse it under hot water between say a dropper and a half, but I think lately I just stick it back in, but always wash it after being fully dosed. It does seem an imperfect system.

By Mommyathome on Tuesday, November 25, 2003 - 11:53 pm:

I also read this earlier, but didn't have an answer. I have to say that we aren't rinsers here with the droppers (infants tylenol). We've read the boxes before and it doesn't say anything about rinsing between uses....like when refilling for 2nd have of the dose. DH and I have even discussed it before. I'm thinking that the germs probably don't live long once they are put in all of that medicine. But, I really have no idea. I would be interested to know if there is a real "direction" for this.

By Cheerio on Tuesday, November 25, 2003 - 11:56 pm:

Thanks for making not feel strange for asking! It was more of an issue when my DD's were younger and both were using the infant Tylenol (luckily both mine think it's like candy!). A lot of times I double dipped, so to speak, and then often wondered if I contaminated it and should only use that bottle for the DD that was sick. Last month she had the stomach flu and we had used the Tylenol for her fever. Yesterday I had a friend over who had her 8 month old with her and he felt warm so she asked if I had any Tylenol. I got it out of the cabinet and then stared at it wondering whether to offer it to her or not. Last thing I wanted was there to be stomach flu germs in there LOL! I threw it away because I certainly didn't want the flu back in my house either!

By Dawnk777 on Wednesday, November 26, 2003 - 12:23 am:

Eww. I never thought about that. I double-dipped all the time. When my kids got a little older and I could pour into it into one of those medicine spoon things, I used that instead. I don't know if anyone got sick because of that. If I was using Tylenol, they generally were already sick.

By Lauram on Wednesday, November 26, 2003 - 01:13 pm:

I do it all the time- though I try not to mix between kids. I figure they have their own antibodies and won't get the same illness again, but they might not have had each other's illness (though usually they both get it!

By Ginny~moderator on Thursday, November 27, 2003 - 12:15 pm:

Brilliant solution from my brilliant resident son. Squirt both droppers full into a shot glass or small medicine cup (thus, no need to rinse in between). Suck up the medicine from the glass/cup, squirt into child's mouth. If any residue remains in the container, add a little warm water, suck up and squirt. Then, rinse the dropper inside and out.


He is a veterinary technologist working with lab animals and sanitation and contamination are major concerns for his job. He does think there is a contamination risk, especially because if the Tylenol contains any sugar or syrup it could very well act as a culture medium.

By Marcia on Thursday, November 27, 2003 - 07:12 pm:

Great solution! You know, tylenol could lose money on this one. They're probably counting on that contamination to keep everyone infected and needing meds!!! Good job!