Every year, more than 10,000 calls to poison control centers in the U.S. are about kids getting the wrong dose of liquid medicine. Not because the prescription was wrong. Not because the pharmacy messed up. But because a parent used a household spoon to measure it.
You’ve probably done it. You’re tired. The kid is fussy. The medicine bottle says "5 mL"-but there’s no syringe in the box. So you grab a teaspoon from the drawer. It seems fine. It’s close enough, right?
It’s not.
Household spoons are not medical tools. They’re not designed for precision. And when it comes to children’s medicine, even a tiny mistake can be dangerous.
Why Household Spoons Are a Recipe for Disaster
A standard medical teaspoon holds exactly 5 milliliters (mL). Sounds simple. But a real kitchen teaspoon? It can hold anywhere from 3 mL to 7 mL. That’s a 40% difference. One spoon might give your child half the dose they need. Another might give them 40% too much.
That’s not a guess. That’s what the Consumer Medication Safety Institute found after testing over 100 common spoons from households across the country. Some were shallow. Some were deep. Some had wide bowls. Some had narrow ones. None of them matched the standard.
And it gets worse. If you use a tablespoon instead of a teaspoon-thinking it’s "just one big spoon"-you’re giving three times the dose. A 5 mL dose becomes 15 mL. For a toddler, that could mean vomiting, drowsiness, or worse. For some medications, it could be life-threatening.
Research from the Pediatrics journal in 2014 showed that nearly 40% of parents made dosing mistakes when using kitchen spoons. More than 41% gave the wrong amount-even when they thought they were being careful.
Milliliters Are the Only Safe Unit
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the CDC, and the FDA all agree: milliliters (mL) are the only safe way to measure children’s liquid medicine.
Why? Because mL is exact. It doesn’t change. It doesn’t depend on the spoon you grabbed. It doesn’t vary by country, brand, or culture. It’s a universal standard.
But here’s the problem: many medicine labels still say "teaspoon" or "tsp." That’s a trap. A 2016 study in Academic Pediatrics found that when labels used the word "teaspoon," one-third of parents thought it was okay to use a kitchen spoon. When the label said "5 mL," fewer than 10% did.
Spelling out "teaspoon" made it worse than just writing "tsp." Parents saw "teaspoon" and thought, "Oh, I know what that is." They didn’t think, "Wait-this is medicine. I need to measure it exactly."
That’s why the CDC runs the "Spoons are for Soup" campaign. It’s simple. Memorable. And it works. Their message: Milliliters (mL) are for medicine.
What You Should Use Instead
You don’t need fancy gadgets. You just need the right tools-ones made for medicine, not food.
- Oral syringes (with mL markings): These are the gold standard. They’re accurate down to 0.1 mL. Perfect for doses like 2.5 mL or 4.2 mL. You can squirt the medicine gently between your child’s cheek and gum-no choking risk.
- Dosing cups (with mL lines): Only use the one that came with the medicine. Make sure it has clear, numbered lines. Never use a regular cup or glass. And always measure at eye level.
- Droppers: Good for small doses, especially under 5 mL. But make sure they’re marked in mL. Some old droppers only show "drops," which are wildly inconsistent.
Don’t rely on the spoon that comes with the medicine unless it’s clearly marked in mL. Many of those spoons are still labeled in "tsp"-and they’re often not accurate either. The best practice? Always use the syringe or cup provided by the pharmacy, and double-check that it shows mL.
How to Give Medicine Without a Fight
Even with the right tool, giving medicine to a screaming toddler is hard. Here’s how to make it easier-and safer.
- Don’t put it in the back of the throat. That’s a choking hazard. Instead, gently squirt the medicine between the tongue and the side of the mouth. Let them swallow naturally.
- Use a syringe with a soft tip. Some come with silicone tips that are gentler on gums.
- Ask for flavoring. Many pharmacies can add a flavor like cherry or bubblegum to make the medicine taste better. It’s not a gimmick-it’s a real help.
- Write it down. Keep a log: time, dose, tool used. If your child gets sick later, you’ll know exactly what they took.
Safe Kids Worldwide recommends holding your child in a slightly upright position-not lying flat. That reduces the chance of choking or vomiting.
What to Do If You Don’t Have a Proper Tool
You ran out of the syringe. The dosing cup broke. The pharmacy is closed.
Don’t grab a spoon.
Call your pharmacist. They’ll give you a free oral syringe. Most pharmacies keep extras on hand. Even if you didn’t buy the medicine there, they’ll still help you. Pharmacists see this every day. They’re used to it.
Or go to a nearby pharmacy, grocery store, or clinic. You can buy a pack of 5 oral syringes for under $3. They’re not expensive. They’re not hard to find. And they’re the difference between safety and a trip to the ER.
Why This Still Happens-And What’s Changing
Here’s the hard truth: despite warnings since 1978, about 75% of American parents still use kitchen spoons to give medicine. That’s three out of four. That’s not ignorance. It’s habit. It’s convenience. It’s thinking, "It’s just a little bit."
But children aren’t small adults. Their bodies react differently. A dose that’s safe for a 150-pound teen could be toxic for a 20-pound toddler. That’s why precision matters more than ever.
Good news: change is happening. More pharmacies now include an oral syringe with every liquid prescription. The FDA is pushing for mandatory milliliter-only labeling on all pediatric medicines. Hospitals and clinics are training staff to always hand out the right tool-and explain how to use it.
Pharmacies like Aspirus now give every parent a syringe with clear mL markings. They don’t assume you know. They don’t hope you’ll remember. They provide the tool and explain it. And error rates drop.
Final Rule: Always Ask
When you pick up your child’s medicine, ask:
- "Is there a measuring device included?"
- "Can I see the markings in mL?"
- "What’s the best way to give this?"
If they say, "Just use a teaspoon," walk out and call another pharmacy. That’s not professional. That’s dangerous.
Medicine isn’t sugar. It’s not a splash of syrup. It’s a precise dose. And your child’s safety depends on getting it exactly right.
Use the syringe. Use the cup. Use the dropper. But never, ever use a spoon.
Can I use a kitchen teaspoon if I fill it to the brim?
No. Even if you fill it to the top, household spoons vary too much in size and shape. One might hold 3 mL, another 7 mL. That’s a 133% difference. For a child, that could mean underdosing (the medicine won’t work) or overdosing (dangerous side effects). Always use a device marked in milliliters.
What if the medicine bottle says "teaspoon" instead of "mL"?
Call your pharmacist. Ask them to re-label the bottle in milliliters or provide a proper measuring device. You have the right to safe medication instructions. Many pharmacies will do this free of charge. Don’t assume "teaspoon" means a kitchen spoon-it’s outdated labeling, and it’s risky.
Are dosing cups better than syringes?
Syringes are more accurate, especially for doses under 5 mL. Dosing cups are fine for larger doses like 10 mL or 15 mL, but they’re harder to use with squirmy kids. Syringes let you control the flow and target the side of the mouth, reducing choking risk. If you have both, use the syringe for smaller doses and the cup for larger ones.
Can I reuse an oral syringe for multiple medicines?
No. Never reuse a syringe for a different medicine without cleaning it thoroughly. Even then, it’s risky. Cross-contamination can happen. Use a new syringe for each medication, or at least clean it with warm water and let it air-dry completely. Some syringes are single-use-check the packaging.
Why do pharmacies still give out spoons sometimes?
Some pharmacies still use old stock or don’t have enough syringes on hand. But this is changing. More are required by policy to provide accurate tools. If you’re given a spoon, ask for a syringe instead. If they say no, go to another pharmacy. Your child’s safety isn’t optional.
What should I do if I think I gave the wrong dose?
Call your local poison control center immediately. In the U.S., it’s 1-800-222-1222. In Australia, call 13 11 26. Don’t wait for symptoms. Don’t try to induce vomiting. Just call. Have the medicine bottle handy. Tell them the name, dose given, and your child’s weight. They’ll tell you exactly what to do.
There’s no shortcut when it comes to your child’s health. A spoon might seem convenient, but it’s a gamble with their safety. The right tool costs less than a coffee. It’s easy to find. And it could save a life.
Jennifer Phelps
January 13, 2026 AT 04:46Simple. Effective. No drama.
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