stubborn toddler won't take medicine - help!

[jass77]

Hello

My 2yr DD has a nasty chest infection - 2 lots of antibiotics, max doses of calpol/nurofen etc. Problem is, she just will not swallow her medicine. I guess this is probably a common problem and would be hugely grateful for any tips.

I use a syringe, and I've tried:

slow and gentle and persuasive

bribery with buttons/stickers (she sees her twin brother getting these as he's also on antibiotics and loves medicine!)

a fair degree of force, holding her mouth shut etc.

Any ideas?
Thank you

[ben5]

put the syringe and push it into her check. she will swallow( years of practice!) if not mix with food, milk. i was aslo lucky at one stage(depends on how you look at it !!) that ds2 was tubed feed so all meds went down the tube to!!!!

[Scootergrrrl]

Squirt it into her cheek then blow quite sharply into her face. Makes them swallow!

[ginodacampoismydh]

i struggled wth this for a few years it gets very distressing to use force etc and i found i couldnt get near her with out having to restrain her in some way.

Gp said that it was important to try blah blah but he agreed not to use physical force. I put it in a youghurt, spread in a jam sandwich, put it in juice, fruit salad any thing to disguise it and warm milk and hoped for the best, i even stirred it in to her dinners.

I always prioratised the anti biotics though and tryed to persuade with calpol etc. she may drink it out of a cup, this worked well with dd for a little while.

[jass77]

Thanks for the ideas. Will give some of them a try - she's a rubbish eater so not sure about the food ideas but will give it some thought. Temp finally coming down so we're easing up on calpol at least!

[dribbleface]

Can agree with the tipping/syringing into cheek pouch - works at treat