It’s the middle of the night, your 1-year-old is burning up, and you need the ibuprofen dose for a 22-pound child right now. Here it is — no scrolling required.
Quick answer: A 22 lb (10 kg) 1-year-old gets 75 mg of ibuprofen per dose. That’s 1.875 mL of infant drops (50 mg/1.25 mL) or 3.75 mL of children’s liquid (100 mg/5 mL). Give every 6–8 hours as needed. Maximum 4 doses in 24 hours. Give with food when possible.
Use our free dosage calculator to double-check the dose for your child’s exact weight.
Exact Dosing for a 22-Pound 1-Year-Old
Ibuprofen is dosed at 5–10 mg per kilogram of body weight. At 22 lbs (10 kg), the standard dose is 75 mg.
Here’s what that looks like with each formulation:
| Formulation | Concentration | Dose for 22 lbs |
|---|---|---|
| Infant Drops | 50 mg/1.25 mL | 1.875 mL |
| Children’s Liquid | 100 mg/5 mL | 3.75 mL |
Important: Always use the measuring syringe that came with the medication. Kitchen spoons are not accurate enough for infant dosing. If you’ve lost the syringe, any pharmacy will give you one for free.
Dosage Table: 18–28 lbs
Your child won’t stay at 22 lbs for long. Here’s the ibuprofen dosing range around this weight so you can reference it as they grow. For the full chart, see our complete Motrin dosage guide by weight.
| Weight | Dose (mg) | Infant Drops (50 mg/1.25 mL) | Children’s Liquid (100 mg/5 mL) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18 lbs (8.2 kg) | 75 mg | 1.875 mL | 3.75 mL |
| 20 lbs (9.1 kg) | 75 mg | 1.875 mL | 3.75 mL |
| 22 lbs (10 kg) | 75 mg | 1.875 mL | 3.75 mL |
| 24 lbs (10.9 kg) | 100 mg | 2.5 mL | 5 mL |
| 26 lbs (11.8 kg) | 100 mg | 2.5 mL | 5 mL |
| 28 lbs (12.7 kg) | 100 mg | 2.5 mL | 5 mL |
Note that at 24 lbs and above, the dose steps up to 100 mg. Always re-check the dose if your child has recently had a growth spurt.
Safety Checklist for Giving Ibuprofen to a 1-Year-Old
Before you give that dose, run through this quick checklist:
- Is your child at least 6 months old? At 12 months, yes — you’re well past the 6-month age threshold for ibuprofen
- Has it been at least 6 hours since the last ibuprofen dose?
- Has your child had fewer than 4 doses of ibuprofen in the past 24 hours?
- Is your child drinking fluids? Ibuprofen is harder on the kidneys — avoid it if your child is dehydrated or has been vomiting repeatedly
- Can you give it with food or milk? Even a few sips of milk or a cracker helps reduce stomach irritation
- Are you using the right concentration? Infant drops and children’s liquid are different — check the label
If you answered “no” to any of these, consider acetaminophen (Tylenol) instead, or contact your pediatrician.
When to Give Ibuprofen to a 1-Year-Old
Ibuprofen works well for a 1-year-old in these situations:
- Fever above 100.4°F (38°C) when your child is uncomfortable
- Teething pain — ibuprofen’s anti-inflammatory properties are especially effective for swollen gums
- Ear pain — common at this age, and ibuprofen reduces inflammation alongside pain
- Post-vaccination discomfort — if your pediatrician recommends it after immunizations
For fevers that keep spiking between doses, consider alternating Tylenol and Motrin every 3 hours for more consistent relief.
When to Alternate with Tylenol
If your 1-year-old’s fever responds to ibuprofen but comes back before the next dose is due (before 6 hours), you can add acetaminophen into the rotation:
| Time | Medication | Dose for 22 lbs |
|---|---|---|
| 8:00 PM | Ibuprofen | 3.75 mL children’s liquid |
| 11:00 PM | Tylenol | Check Tylenol dose by weight |
| 2:00 AM | Ibuprofen | 3.75 mL children’s liquid |
| 5:00 AM | Tylenol | Same Tylenol dose |
This alternating schedule keeps each medication within its safe interval while providing relief every 3 hours. Read our full alternating Tylenol and Motrin guide for detailed instructions.
Keeping track of doses at 3am is hard. TriageNest’s Care Plan feature sets up the alternating schedule with countdown timers and push reminders — so you never double-dose or miss one. Try it free.
When to Call Your Doctor
Give the ibuprofen, but call your pediatrician if:
- The fever persists for more than 3 days despite treatment
- Your child’s fever reaches 104°F (40°C) or higher — see our guide on toddler fevers over 104
- Your child is unusually lethargic, difficult to wake, or inconsolable
- Your child refuses fluids for more than 8 hours
- You notice a rash developing alongside the fever
- Your child has breathing difficulty, a stiff neck, or seems confused
If you’re ever unsure whether to head to the doctor or the ER, our guide on when to go to the ER for children can help you decide.
Not sure if it’s urgent? TriageNest’s triage engine evaluates your child’s symptoms in real time and tells you whether to treat at home, call the doctor, or go to the ER. Get started free.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much ibuprofen for a 22 lb baby?
A 22 lb baby (10 kg) should receive 75 mg of ibuprofen per dose. That’s 1.875 mL of infant drops (50 mg/1.25 mL) or 3.75 mL of children’s liquid (100 mg/5 mL). Give every 6–8 hours as needed, with a maximum of 4 doses in 24 hours.
What is the Motrin dose for a 1-year-old?
For a 1-year-old, the Motrin dose depends on weight, not age. Most 1-year-olds weigh between 18–26 lbs, which means a dose of 75 mg of ibuprofen. Use infant drops or children’s liquid and measure carefully with the included syringe.
Can I give Motrin to a 12-month-old?
Yes. Ibuprofen (Motrin/Advil) is safe for children 6 months and older. A 12-month-old is well past the 6-month age threshold. Dose by your child’s current weight — not their age — for accuracy.
How much children’s Motrin for 22 pounds?
For children’s liquid Motrin (100 mg/5 mL), a 22-pound child gets 3.75 mL per dose. Use the dosing syringe that came with the medication — not a kitchen spoon. Give every 6–8 hours as needed with food.
Can I alternate Motrin and Tylenol for my 1-year-old?
Yes. Since your child is over 6 months, you can alternate ibuprofen (Motrin) and acetaminophen (Tylenol) every 3 hours for stubborn fevers. This provides more consistent fever control without exceeding the safe limits of either medication.
This guide follows standard pediatric ibuprofen dosing practices for informational purposes. Always confirm the dose with your pediatrician, especially if your child has kidney issues, is dehydrated, or is taking other medications. Need help right now? Sign up for TriageNest for instant, weight-based dosing.
