One of a mom's worst nightmares, realizing they may have overdosed their child.

Tylenol can be an absolute blessing - for the teething, or feverish baby. Motrin isn't recommended for a baby my daughter's age, so when she's ill, Tylenol - or it's generic, acetaminophen - is really the only choice.

So when Chloe developed a temperature of 100.8, I ran downstairs to check the internet for her dose, and this is what I find:

11-16 lbs, 80mg 1 dropper (0.8ml) ½ tsp (2.5ml)
17-21 lbs, 120mg 1 ½ dropper (1.2ml) ¾ tsp (3.75ml)

That's one dropper of the infant concentrated formula, or 1/2 tsp of the children's liquid - versus 1 1/2 dropper of the infant concentrated formula, or 3/4 tsp of the children's liquid.

The most common error in giving this medication is not checking your formula and giving the liquid dose of the infant formula - which is a HUGE overdose (as you can see in the ml's). In my case, I just misread the line info, and gave Chloe (weight unknown, estimating 14-15 pounds, but she could be more) the dose for the 17-21 pounder.

I realized it when I thought more about it, AFTER dosing her... not the most brilliant time to turn on my brain. I ran downstairs, double checked it, and sure enough, half again as much as she probably should have received.

I called the poison control hotline for California (1-800-222-1222), which I highly recommend all parents have on speed dial just in case, and they reassured me that such a small amount, one time shouldn't be a problem, especially with her weight unknown, and my estimate being on the conservative side.

Overdose of acetaminophen can be toxic to the liver, and shouldn't be taken lightly. This is one time I'm actually breathing a sigh of relief at her being less than sleepy in the middle of the night - in fact she's playing happily in her exersaucer and is super giggly and smiley. I'm happy to watch her over the next hour or so - or however long it takes to make me a little more comfy that she isn't exhibiting any signs or symptoms of toxicity (despite the reassurance that she should not - should is the keyword there).