Gold Coast father gave baby opiate to stop it crying: police

A baby girl is lucky to be alive after her father gave her a strong pain reliever in a misguided attempt to settle the infant down.

Police allege the 22-year-old Queensland man gave his two-month-old daughter a single OxyContin tablet on Sunday.

It's believed the man was attempting to put the infant back to sleep so he could resume a hobby of his.

Police refused to elaborate on what the particular hobby was the man was engaging in.

The baby's parents rang emergency services when the child became lethargic and unresponsive, and she was rushed to Gold Coast University Hospital.

Doctors identified opiates in the baby's bloodstream and administered an antidote, to which the infant responded well.

The child's father faced Southport Magistrates Court on Tuesday charged with administering poison with intent to harm and a single count of possessing a dangerous drug.

The man, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, made no application for bail and has been remanded in custody.

The matter has been adjourned until January 27.

Acting Detective Inspector Greg Aubort said while the father was remorseful, his actions were "grossly negligent" and didn't meet community standards when it came to caring for a child.

"Society doesn't accept such things as this," Det Insp Aubort said.

"Parents have a duty of care to protect children. Bottom line. If you leave drugs around and a child is harmed, you will be held criminally responsible."

OxyContin, also known as "hillbilly heroin", is a synthetic opioid pain medication normally used to treat severe pain.