How to get him to drink

[MaMattoo]

First time mom in worry wart mode.

9 mo DS has a throat Viral infection with high fever. He refuses to take in any liquids as it hurts him to swallow. Doc has seen him twice and has prescribed medication. Dr is also keen that I keep feeding him 'plenty of liquids'. Have been giving him water (calpol and as of yesterday Amoxycillin) through a syringe, he hates it and he pushes out quite quickly.

My questions:

• are there any ways of giving him liquids which wont upset him as much as the syringe does?
  
• has anyone given 9mo amoxycillin before - what are the side effects of it? and is there anything that i can give him now which can make him stomach happy post medication?
  

any advice will be really helpful. Thanks.

[RhinestoneCowgirl]

Not really the time of year, but ice lollies can be a good way of getting fluid into them, also jelly apparently.

[strawberrycake]

Sorry but there are times when you need to syringe if he has a fever, it's much better to syringe and dislike it than dehydrate.

To answer your questions,

-you can get a spray to numb their throats which often starts them swallowing

-fruit puree or other wet foods may be easier, possibly chilled. Even ice-cream

-only do 1 syringe at a time to avoid excessive distress, 5ml every 5 min

-my son who is 9 months has had 5 lots of antibiotics, better than the chest infections! No big effect, bit of wind.

-cuddle!

[Sirzy]

DS has never had any ill effects from the many courses of antibiotics he has had. Hopefully your DS is the same.

Ice lollies or syringing is the best way. My DS has ended up on IV fluids because he was dehydrated via illness so I would rather upset him by trying to force it in than end up back on a drip, being upset is a small price to pay for him getting better quicker.

Hopefully he is better soon.

[MaMattoo]

Thank you!! I shall make the ice lollies now so they are ready for him in the morning. I shall also pack away the guilt that comes from forcing him.
He has managed to get a very upset runny tummy thanks to the antibiotics but gobbled chilled yoghurt pot so I hope tomorrow will be a better day.

Thanks