Tips for getting 6 month old to take medicine

[ChutesTooNarrow]

I'm having trouble getting my six month old DS to take the liquid antibiotics he has been prescribed.

He used to accept a syringe but now he lets the liquid dribble out or clamps his mouth shut.

He clamps his mouth shut when presented with a spoon.

He would take an occasional bottle when he was tiny but has consistently refused them since he got some teeth. I did have a go though, mixing the antibiotic with water, DS allowed the bottle into his mouth but did nothing but grin at me. Very cute but not very helpful. Tried also to sneak the bottle in halfway through a breastfeed but he wasn't fooled.

He is currently playing with a cup and learning how to drink water from it but mainly he tips the water over himself. I did try put the lid on the cup as it has a spout to see if he would drink this way but he just chewed the spout.

He is BLW and loves it but isn't eating anything well enough yet for me to be able to sneak the medicine into food this way - I just can't guarantee that even a tenth would get into him.

I have never spoonfed him, but mixing the antibiotic with mush or yogurt and doing this seems to be my last option. He has already rejected a spoon with medicine on it though.

Anyone got any ideas or tips for success? I am always patient and calm when trying btw, I don't want to make a horrendous issue of this with him.

[ChocOrange05]

My DS responded really well to praise when taking antibiotics - he was older at 14mo but at the beginning we did have to hold him down and force it in (held him like a baby and tilted his head back and squeezed syringe in ) but then once he had taken it anyone who was around gave him a big round of applause. After a few days of this he was happily taking it and looking around for his admirers!

Good luck!

[ChutesTooNarrow]

Thanks ChocOrange. DP is going to have a go at convincing DS to take his dose and I shall clap like a lunatic if he opens his mouth.

[BigBadISaidNo]

Second chocorange, with mine it's force (with a syringe) and then serious praise, now they just take it and get praise.

Although not nice at first, I figured that getting the medicine was the best thing for them.

[Shaz10]

Do you use dummies? You can get ones that you sneak medicine in. www.dooyoo.co.uk/baby-health/mothercare-medicine-dispenser/1170099/

[2point4pets]

We had a nightmare, same situation. 2 solutions:

1. You may be able to get a more concentrated version of the antibiotic if you ask the dr to check - it is not common, I can't remember the exact name but a helpful mumsnetter pointed me in the right direction - this didn't stop the refusal, but made the amount reduce by 2/3, so easier to get in her.
2. hide in yoghurt! this is the best to disguise the taste, but the problem is then you have to depend on them eating the lot. also 6 months is still quite young for petit filou...

I do sympathise - when I tried the 'hold down & force it in' method DD vomited it back up instantly. Good luck!

[oricella]

We've managed to sneak in the syringe whilst breastfeeding - just slip in on the side as if you were unlatching. You do get sticky nips, but small price to pay if it works

[ChutesTooNarrow]

Thanks everyone, all very helpful.