Ibuprofen is only FDA approved for children 6 months of age and older. Ibuprofen may be safe for children younger than this. But there’s not a lot of research in that age group. If your child is allergic to ibuprofen or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), they should avoid ibuprofen.

Never give aspirin for pain to your child if they are under 12 years, unless it is advised by your doctor. It can cause a rare but serious illness called Reyes Syndrome. Paracetamol or ibuprofen can make your child’s pain less severe and help them feel more comfortable, but neither medicine will make the cause of the pain go away.

Do not give ibuprofen to children under 6 months of age, unless directed by your provider. You should also check with your provider before giving ibuprofen to children under age 2 years or less than 12 pounds or 5.5 kilograms.