giving toddler medicine

[Iz66]

How do you get medicine into a 2 1/2 year old? tried everything so far...syringe and spoon he just spits it out...dilute it in a drink he spits that out too! He too unwell to be bribed, so chocolate etc out the question.

Im taking him to the doctor later as i suspect an ear infection with temperature etc.

Thanks in advance

[ruthann58]

try putting it in a syringe and putting it in his mouth that way you might be able to get it down him like dip the outside of the syringe in something he likes the taste of jam or choc spread perhaps

[cobie]

We used to have the same problem with our son who is the same age. We made a game out of him taking his medicine and then quickly taking a drink of juice from his cup, also depends what flavour the medicine is!! Unfortunately it may take a few attempts before he does decide to try it, just keep persevering.

Good Luck!!

[tigerthecat]

hold him on your knee semi lying down and use a syringe, if he has a temp its important to get it down. we have ended up in hosp bec junior was the same.

[acorn]

If using a syringe try pointing it towards the back but to one side of the mouth. Theres a gag reflexy thingy (!!medical terminology!!) which automatically makes you swallow. Spoons are out because they can grit their teeth, turn their heads or just blow!! Unfortunately if they need to have medicine he will just have to learn to take it - easier said then done obviously but have you tried just saying to him do you want the pain to go away? Then let mummy give you the medicine...maybe that will work

[jas1002]

I know it sounds awful but we sort of trap her to stop moving, syringe it in, she gags a liitle then swallows it

Please don't report me. I'm a good mum really.!!!!!

[Iz66]

hahaha, love all your answers, its nice to know im not the only mother of a child that wont take medicine.

Im actually mixing his antibitoics into a chocolate peitit feleur.....he thinks its christmas cos he has to have 4 a day!! hahaha only trouble is that i dont think he is having the full amount cos he spills alot....and now i gotta ask the doc for another bottle of the stuff as i have nearly gone throu a whole bottle in 2 days on trial and error!

hey ho...the things they never tell you about motherhood eh!

thanks again x

[TraciJ2]

Iz66

Does Junior have a dummy? If so, you can buy dummies that allow you to put medicine in the end and they suck it out - obviously you will have to keep an eye and make sure that Junior takes ALL the medicine, but its worth a try isn't it?

You could also try using juniors favourite character - E.G Bob the Builder (or am is Bob too old fashioned now?) and pretend that a cuddly toy is taking a spoonful of magic juice and then so can your son - again, its trial and error but in the situation youre in - i think ANYTHING is worth a try.

Good luck

[arliebarlie]

when mine babe was 18 months old I hysterically phoned the childrens hospital asking them how on earth I was supposed to give charlie the anotibiotics she needed because she was refusing to take them. The nurse asked me to take her back in for a demonstration. They held her down...... opened her mouth......... syringed the anitbiotics in and charlie just swallowed them like a good un!!!! As the nurse said dont pussyfoot around just open their gobs and shove it in!!!!

she is 9 now and still knows not to mess when it comes to medicine!!!

[jas1002]

See. I told you I was a good mum!!!!

Thanks arliebarlie!!!!!!