Tylenol · Babies
How much Tylenol for a baby? Doses month by month
There isn’t one right Tylenol dose for a 4- or 6-month-old, because healthy babies the same age can be in different weight bands. A 6-month-old can weigh anywhere from about 13 to 21 lb, which covers two dose levels: 2.5 mL or 3.75 mL of the 160 mg/5 mL liquid. Weigh your baby and use the weight. Under 12 weeks, call the doctor before giving any medicine for a fever.
Source: St. Louis Children's Hospital · World Health Organization
Tylenol dose by baby’s age
| Age | Typical weightgirls-boys median | Normal range5th-95th percentile | Dose, by weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 months | 11.3-12.3 lb | 9.1-15 lb | Call the doctor first |
| 3 months | 12.9-14.1 lb | 10.5-17 lb | 1.25 mL if 6-11 lb 2.5 mL if 12-17 lb |
| 4 months | 14.2-15.4 lb | 11.5-18.5 lb | 1.25 mL if 6-11 lb 2.5 mL if 12-17 lb 3.75 mL if 18-23 lb |
| 6 months | 16.1-17.5 lb | 13.2-20.9 lb | 2.5 mL if 12-17 lb 3.75 mL if 18-23 lb |
| 9 months | 18.1-19.6 lb | 14.9-23.4 lb | 2.5 mL if 12-17 lb 3.75 mL if 18-23 lb |
| 12 months | 19.7-21.3 lb | 16.2-25.4 lb | 2.5 mL if 12-17 lb 3.75 mL if 18-23 lb 5 mL if 24-35 lb |
| 18 months | 22.6-24.1 lb | 18.5-28.9 lb | 3.75 mL if 18-23 lb 5 mL if 24-35 lb |
| 2 years | 25.3-26.8 lb | 20.8-32.3 lb | 3.75 mL if 18-23 lb 5 mL if 24-35 lb |
Weights: World Health Organization. Doses: St. Louis Children's Hospital.
Tylenol dose calculator
Why age alone isn’t enough
Dose tables on the box list both age and weight, and the age column is a rough guide for an average child. In the first year, babies grow fast and at different rates, so the same age can fall into two weight bands. Using the weight avoids giving too little to a bigger baby or too much to a smaller one.
If you don’t have a recent weight, use the one from your last checkup and ask your pediatrician’s office which dose to give.
Babies under 12 weeks
A temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher in a baby under 12 weeks needs a doctor first. Giving acetaminophen can hide a fever that doctors need to evaluate. Call your pediatrician or go to the emergency department.
Some pediatricians recommend acetaminophen for fussiness after 2-month vaccines. Only give it if your baby’s doctor told you to, and ask for the exact dose.
Common questions
How much Tylenol for a 6-month-old?
2.5 mL of 160 mg/5 mL if your baby weighs 12 to 17 lb, or 3.75 mL if 18 to 23 lb. Check with your doctor first, since the package says to ask a doctor under 2.
How much Tylenol for a 4-month-old?
Most 4-month-olds weigh 12 to 17 lb, which is 2.5 mL of 160 mg/5 mL. A smaller baby (under 12 lb) gets 1.25 mL. Ask your doctor first.
How much Tylenol for a 1-year-old?
Most 1-year-olds weigh 18 to 23 lb, which is 3.75 mL of 160 mg/5 mL. Some weigh 24 lb or more, which is 5 mL.
How much Tylenol for a 2-month-old?
A 2-month-old is under 12 weeks. Call the doctor before giving any medicine, especially for a fever.
Sources
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol) Dose Table. St. Louis Children's Hospital (Schmitt Pediatric Guidelines). Checked 2026-09-18.
- Acetaminophen Dosing Tables for Fever and Pain in Infants & Children. American Academy of Pediatrics, HealthyChildren.org (updated 30 Jan 2026). Checked 2026-09-18.
- WHO Child Growth Standards: weight-for-age percentiles, 0-24 months. World Health Organization, data files hosted by CDC/NCHS. Checked 2026-09-18.