Tylenol or Motrin, how much? Start with the AAP chart.
The American Academy of Pediatrics publishes a dosing chart for acetaminophen (Tylenol) and one for ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), by your child’s weight and the product in your hand. Here they are, with the rules the AAP prints beside them, word for word.
Before you open the chart
“Giving the wrong amount of medicine is one of the biggest mistakes parents make when giving acetaminophen to children.”
“Use your child's weight to decide on the right amount. If you do not know your child's weight, use your child's age. Be sure to check with your child's doctor to make sure you are giving the right amount.”
The American Academy of Pediatrics
We don’t copy the doses onto this page. The AAP publishes them as pictures, and a dose copied by hand is one mistake away from the wrong amount, so the only place to read one is the AAP’s own chart.
Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
“Acetaminophen should not be given to children under 2 years of age without the guidance of a doctor.”
“Fever in the first 12 weeks may signal a serious infection and needs immediate medical attention; your baby will need to be checked in a health care setting to see what tests are needed.”
“For children under 12 years, give every 4 hours while symptoms last. Do not give more than 5 doses in 24 hours.”
“Pediatric acetaminophen products on store shelves should be used as labeled and with the dosing syringe that came with the medicine.”
“It is best not to give medicines with more than one ingredient to children less than 6 years of age.”
Acetaminophen Dosing Tables for Fever and Pain in Children, the American Academy of Pediatrics
Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil)
“Do not use ibuprofen in children who are less than 6 months old unless your child's doctor tells you to.”
“How to give the right amount of IBUPROFEN (also known as Motrin, Advil) is different depending on which type of ibuprofen you plan to give.”
“Ibuprofen infant drops come with a measuring syringe”
Ibuprofen Dosing Table for Fever and Pain and its chart, the American Academy of Pediatrics
How often: the AAP words it two ways
Its web page
“You can give ibuprofen every 6 to 8 hours if needed.”
Its dosing chart
“Give every 6 hours if needed, for fever or pain. DO NOT GIVE MORE THAN 4 DOSES IN 24 HOURS.”
Both are the AAP’s. Ask your pediatrician which applies to your child.
The chart gives the dose. Your log gives the last one.
“Every 4 hours” is easy until you can’t remember whether it was 2:00 or 2:40, or whether your partner already gave it. Bundle of Joy shows both of you what went in, how long ago and who gave it, and asks before you log the same medicine twice in half an hour.
Sources
- Acetaminophen Dosing Tables for Fever and Pain in Children, the American Academy of Pediatrics (last updated January 30, 2026)
- Acetaminophen dosing chart (PDF), the American Academy of Pediatrics (linked from that page)
- Ibuprofen Dosing Table for Fever and Pain, the American Academy of Pediatrics (last updated September 19, 2024)
- Ibuprofen dosing chart (PDF), the American Academy of Pediatrics (linked from that page)
Every quote on this page was checked against the AAP on . Tylenol, Motrin and Advil are trademarks of their owners. Not medical advice: for your child, ask your pediatrician or pharmacist.
More from the sources: Baby feeding chart · Newborn diaper chart · Newborn weight loss and gain · Average newborn weight · Newborn fever · Newborn sleep · Tummy time · Bathing a newborn · Cluster feeding · Newborn hiccups · Baby colic
Who gave the last dose, and when?
On both your phones, the moment it’s logged.
