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Infant Motrin / Ibuprofen Dosage Calculator
This infant Motrin dosage calculator gives the right ibuprofen dose for your baby or child by weight, whether you have Infants' drops, Children's liquid or chewables. It follows the American Academy of Pediatrics' 2024 chart.
- 2024 AAP chart
- Drops vs. liquid check
- Next-dose timer
Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) Dose Calculator
Infants' drops, Children's liquid, chewables and tablets
Enter your child's weight and age, then tap Calculate safe dose.
Key takeaways
- Ibuprofen is for babies 6 months and older. Under 6 months, call your pediatrician instead.
- Infants' Motrin drops (50 mg / 1.25 mL): 1.25 mL for 12–17 lb, 1.875 mL for 18–23 lb, 2.5 mL for 24–35 lb.
- Give it every 6 to 8 hours as needed, no more than 4 doses in 24 hours, ideally with food or milk.
- Infants' drops are 2.5× stronger than Children's liquid. Never swap doses between them.
How to use the infant Motrin dosage calculator
- Enter your child's weight in pounds or kilograms. Weight gives a more accurate dose than age.
- Choose their age. Ibuprofen isn't recommended under 6 months, and the calculator will stop you if your baby is younger.
- Select the product in your hand. Infants' drops and Children's liquid are different strengths, so this step matters most.
- Add the dose time (optional) to see the earliest safe times for the next doses over 24 hours.
The #1 ibuprofen mix-up: Infants' drops (50 mg per 1.25 mL) are 2.5 times stronger than Children's liquid (100 mg per 5 mL). A 20 lb baby needs 1.875 mL of drops but 4 mL of Children's liquid. Never swap syringes or doses between the two.
Infant Motrin (ibuprofen) dosage chart by weight
This is the ibuprofen dosage chart from the American Academy of Pediatrics, updated in 2024. It applies to Motrin, Advil and store-brand ibuprofen with the same strength. Find your child's weight first. Use age only if you don't know their weight.
| Weight | Age (if weight unknown) | Infants' drops 50 mg / 1.25 mL |
Children's liquid 100 mg / 5 mL |
Chewables 100 mg |
Adult tablets 200 mg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 12 lb (under 5 kg) | 0–5 months | Don't give unless your pediatrician says to | |||
| 12–17 lb (6–7 kg) | 6–11 months | 1.25 mL (50 mg) | 2.5 mL | — | — |
| 18–23 lb (8–10 kg) | 12–23 months | 1.875 mL (75 mg) | 4 mL | — | — |
| 24–35 lb (11–15 kg) | 2–3 years | 2.5 mL (100 mg) | 5 mL | 1 tablet | — |
| 36–47 lb (16–21 kg) | 4–5 years | 3.75 mL (150 mg) | 7.5 mL | 1½ tablets | — |
| 48–59 lb (22–26 kg) | 6–8 years | 5 mL (200 mg) | 10 mL | 2 tablets | 1 tablet |
| 60–71 lb (27–32 kg) | 9–10 years | — | 12.5 mL | 2½ tablets | 1 tablet |
| 72–95 lb (33–43 kg) | 11 years | — | 15 mL | 3 tablets | 1½ tablets |
| 96 lb+ (44 kg+) | 12 years+ | — | 20 mL | 4 tablets | 2 tablets |
Source: American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org) ibuprofen dosing chart, 2024 update. Give every 6 hours if needed, no more than 4 doses in 24 hours.
What changed in 2024? The AAP chart now lists 4 mL of Children's liquid for 18–23 lb (older charts said 3.75 mL). It also extends Infants' drops up to 59 lb. If you printed a chart years ago, it's worth replacing.
How ibuprofen dosing works for babies
Ibuprofen is dosed at about 5 to 10 mg per kilogram of body weight per dose. The AAP chart turns that into easy-to-measure amounts for each weight band. If your child's weight falls between two bands, this calculator uses the lower dose, the more cautious choice.
Infants' drops: 50 mg / 1.25 mL → 40 mg per mL
Children's liquid: 100 mg / 5 mL → 20 mg per mL
Example: 20 lb (9.1 kg) → 75 mg → 1.875 mL of drops
6 months and up
Ibuprofen hasn't been shown to be safe under 6 months, so the AAP says not to use it unless your doctor directs you to.
Every 6–8 hours
One dose lasts 6 to 8 hours, longer than acetaminophen. Never more than 4 doses in 24 hours.
With food or milk
Giving it with a feed or snack helps prevent an upset tummy.
Safety tips for giving Motrin to babies
- Use the measuring device from the box. Infants' drops come with a marked syringe. Never use a kitchen spoon.
- Make sure baby is drinking. Ibuprofen can stress the kidneys when a child is dehydrated. Call your pediatrician first if your baby is vomiting, refusing feeds, or has fewer wet diapers.
- Don't double up. Don't give it with other products that contain ibuprofen or naproxen. Many multi-symptom medicines aren't recommended under 6 years.
- Skip it for chickenpox unless your doctor says otherwise, and check first if your child has asthma, kidney problems, or a bleeding disorder.
- Keep a log of times and doses, especially when two caregivers share the job.
- Too much given? Call Poison Control right away at 1-800-222-1222 (US).
When to call the doctor
Medicine treats discomfort. It doesn't treat the illness causing the fever. Call your pediatrician, or seek care, if:
- Your baby is under 3 months with a rectal temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher. This needs care right away.
- A fever lasts more than 24 hours in a child under 2, or more than 3 days in an older child.
- The temperature rises above 104°F (40°C) repeatedly.
- Your child still acts sick after the fever comes down, or seems to be getting worse.
- You see signs of dehydration: no wet diaper in 6 to 8 hours, a dry mouth, no tears, or a sunken soft spot.
- There's trouble breathing, a stiff neck, a purple-red rash, a seizure, or your child is hard to wake.
Watch the wet diapers. Counting them is one of the easiest ways to spot dehydration in a sick baby. Breathable, absorbent Alppi Rash-Free Diapers keep feverish skin comfortable between checks.
Infant Motrin vs. infant Tylenol: which is better?
| Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) | Acetaminophen (Tylenol) | |
|---|---|---|
| Youngest age | 6 months | Under 12 weeks only if your doctor says so |
| How long it lasts | 6 to 8 hours | About 4 hours |
| Max per 24 hours | 4 doses | 5 doses |
| Helps with swelling | Yes (anti-inflammatory) | No |
| Take with food | Recommended | Not needed |
Both work well for fever and pain. Ibuprofen lasts longer, which can help overnight, and it reduces inflammation, which can help with teething or ear pain.
For babies under 6 months, ask your doctor about acetaminophen. See our Infant Tylenol Dosage Calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How much infant Motrin can I give my baby?
Base it on weight, using Infants' Motrin drops (50 mg / 1.25 mL): 12–17 lb gets 1.25 mL, 18–23 lb gets 1.875 mL, 24–35 lb gets 2.5 mL, and 36–47 lb gets 3.75 mL. Give it every 6 to 8 hours as needed, no more than 4 doses in 24 hours, and only to babies 6 months or older.
Can I give Motrin to a baby under 6 months?
Not unless your pediatrician specifically tells you to. The AAP says ibuprofen hasn't been found to be safe in babies under 6 months. For a younger baby with fever or pain, call your doctor. A baby under 3 months with a temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher needs medical care right away.
Is infant Motrin the same as children's Motrin?
No. Infants' drops are 50 mg per 1.25 mL (40 mg per mL), while Children's liquid is 100 mg per 5 mL (20 mg per mL). The drops are 2.5 times more concentrated. Always use the dose and syringe that match the bottle you have.
How often can I give my baby Motrin?
Every 6 to 8 hours as needed, with no more than 4 doses in 24 hours. If your baby still needs it after 24 hours, check in with your pediatrician.
How long does infant Motrin take to work?
Ibuprofen usually starts working within 30 to 60 minutes, and the effect lasts 6 to 8 hours. That's longer than acetaminophen, which is why some parents prefer it at bedtime.
Can I give my baby Motrin and Tylenol together?
Only with a specific plan from your pediatrician. Alternating the two can help some children, but it doubles the chance of a dosing mistake. Never give either one more often than its label allows.
Should infant Motrin be given with food?
Yes, when possible. Giving ibuprofen with a breast or bottle feed, or with a snack for older babies, can help prevent an upset stomach.
Is Motrin good for teething?
For babies 6 months and older, a weight-based dose of ibuprofen can ease teething pain, especially at night. Try a chilled teether or gentle gum massage first, and skip teething gels that contain benzocaine.
What if I accidentally gave too much Motrin?
Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 (US) right away, even if your child seems fine. Have the bottle in hand so you can tell them the product, strength and amount.
Sources
- American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org): Ibuprofen Dosage Table for Fever and Pain
- AAP printable ibuprofen dosing chart, 2024 (PDF)
- AAP (HealthyChildren.org): Fever: When to Call the Pediatrician
- AAP (HealthyChildren.org): Using Liquid Medicines
- MedlinePlus (NIH): Ibuprofen
- Poison Control (America's Poison Centers)
This calculator is for educational purposes and does not replace medical advice. Always read the product label and talk to your pediatrician or pharmacist before giving ibuprofen to a child under 2, or to any child with asthma, kidney problems, dehydration or a bleeding disorder. In an emergency call 911. Motrin® and Advil® are registered trademarks of their owners. Alppi Baby is not affiliated with or endorsed by any medicine brand.
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