Many parents are unaware that improper use of certain over-the-counter cold medications could be harmful to their children's health. According to Pharmacia Corporation, the parent company for PediaCare, 61 percent of American parents admit to over-medicating or mis-medicating their baby on at least one occasion.

A parent's lack of awareness about various medicines may lead to unintentional medicating mistakes, thus putting a baby at risk for harmful side effects. "To safely care for their baby, parents should choose products that only treat the symptoms their baby has, are made to treat babies and should read labels carefully," says Dr. Mary Jo DiMilia, assistant professor of medicine and pediatrics at Mt. Sinai School of Medicine in New York City. "In addition to combining medications, exceeding the recommended dosage is also of concern. It's important for parents to realize that 'more is not better.'"

There are many common medications that are often given in error to infants and young children. Here are several that you should avoid:

One of the most readily available medications on the over-the-counter market – aspirin – is a definite "never" medication for babies. "Aspirin is and should be a medication for adults," says Dr. Denise Salerno, a pediatrician at Temple University Children's Medical Center in Philadelphia, Pa. "Aspirin is associated with Reye's syndrome, which can cause failure of multi-organ systems in the body. This is one medication that should be put out of children's reach and away from a baby's medications to avoid accidental use."

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