Calpol
Calpol Infant Suspension (Sugar Free)
5.5/10 overall£4.00
A paracetamol-based liquid medicine for reducing fever and mild-to-moderate pain from 2 months.
Calpol's paracetamol suspension is one of the most commonly stocked medicine-cabinet items for a reason: it's the NHS-recommended first-line option for reducing fever and easing mild-to-moderate pain (post-vaccination soreness, teething discomfort) in babies from 2 months, provided they weigh at least 4kg.
Dosing must be by weight and age exactly as printed on the pack or as advised by a pharmacist or GP — the NHS is explicit that you should never give more than the stated dose or dose more frequently than recommended, and should always use the syringe provided rather than a kitchen spoon for accuracy.
It treats symptoms (fever, pain) rather than any underlying cause, and the NHS advises seeking medical advice if a fever persists beyond a few days, if your baby is under 3 months and has any fever at all, or if you're at all unsure — this is a first-aid tool, not a substitute for medical assessment when something seems seriously wrong.
What we liked
- NHS first-line recommendation for infant fever and pain
- Includes accurate dosing syringe
- Sugar-free formulation
Where it falls short
- Must be dosed exactly by weight and age
- Not suitable under 2 months or under 4kg
- Treats symptoms only, doesn't address underlying illness
Specs
- Format
- Oral suspension with dosing syringe
- Sugar-free
- Yes
- Suitable from
- 2 months, minimum 4kg
- Active ingredient
- Paracetamol 120mg/5ml
How we scored it
Measurement Accuracy
How consistent and clinically reliable the readings are.
Not a measurement device — included for first-aid relevance, scored low on this criterion by design.
Ease of Use on a Squirming Baby
How quickly and calmly it can be used on an uncooperative baby.
Clear weight/age dosing chart and accurate syringe make correct dosing straightforward.
Value for Money
Cost relative to accuracy and build quality.
Low cost, widely available, standard medicine-cabinet essential.
Weighted by importance for this category — see our editorial policy for how we test.
The alternative
Vicks
Babyrub Soothing Vapours, 50g
A menthol-free chest and back rub formulated specifically for babies from 3 months to soothe congestion at bedtime.