How to give a baby medicine using a spoon

[glitterbird]

I hope someone can help. my 4 week old ds has been perscribed Flucloxacillan for a staphylococcal skin infection. its in syrup form and I only have a medicine spoon so any advice on the best way to give it to him.

It also says that it should be given an hour before food or on an empty stomach. How can I do this with the least amount of stress as when he next wakes he will want feeding and don't relish the idea of waking him early and then having to wait an hour before I can feed him with all the crying that will probably intail. Do I have to just grin and bear it??

[avenanap]

pop to the chemist in the morning and ask them for an oral syryinge. It's alot easier.

Little bits at a time if from a spoon, an hour before a feed if he's in a pattern.

[Xof]

you just do your best (and get a syringe as avena says!) re the empty stomach. It's virtually impossible I found. Also if he takes a dummy, I think you used to be able to get one that they sucked medicine out of (not sure though).

[yousaidit]

Like prev posters, little bits at a time on spoon so you can accomodate the flailing limbs without managing to be coated head to toe is sticky stuff (how does that happenwhen you've useda 5ml spoon???) but definately get an oral syringe! Is someone at home with you? Can some one either nip out to pharmasist or watch your dc whjile you nip out to a lte night phramasists to get an oral syringe? They are fab!

[thumbsucker]

I'd say don't wait till the morning if you can find someone who can go to the all night chemist for you to get a syringe. It will save an awful lot of stress. I remember trying to get my dd to take medicine from a spoon (and the anquish at the fact that she'd spat out most of it and so did that mean I needed to get more as it's so important to finish the whole course). I really sympathise with you on this one. good luck.

[glitterbird]

thanks for all the tips. unfortunatly I am on my own tonight as dh is working and not back till midnight. I think I will wait till morning as the course is 5 days and ds is not distressed by his condition. Its just me really as his spots don't look that great and thought I should take him to dr, we only had appointment at 6pm this evening so I think a few more hours will not make much difference.

I think I will get a syringe as I am really not relishing trying to use a spoon I don't know why the pharmacist did not recommend one.I did not realise till I was home that only a spoon was provided. Feeling too tired to get too stredded about it now.

I agree with Xof feels impossible to get him on an empty stomach and then wait an hour as he is not that regular a feeder just yet hes breast and not bottle fed.

wish me luck for tomorrow

[avenanap]

It'll be ok. remember to give him little bits from the syringe, it makes the spitting out less likely.

I hope he's soon on the mend.

[thumbsucker]

oh, and try and get the syringe into the side of his mouth - nearly choked my dd by putting it too far in (yeah, stupid idiot i know)

[liath]

Best of luck trying to get an antibiotic into a 4 week old. I'd go down the suppository route myself!

[avenanap]

4 week olds are ok. most of them are asleep so are not really bothered. It's the toddlers that are a nightmare.

[bythepowerofgreyskull]

I would second the putting the syringe in the side of the mouth.. the tongue reflex to eject anything is strong. you can get round it by going down the side.
I would also say don't worry too much if some comes out, just try again at the next feed.

Good luck

[MrsThierryHenry]

With a syringe you can dream feed him the medicine (i.e. feed it as he sleeps - he'll swallow it perfectly safely). You can also milk feed him this way to encourage him to sleep continuously.

Good luck!

[glitterbird]

great tips re using the syringe hopefully it will work as planned. It has to be done 4 times a day so should be an expert by the end of the course. I also spoke to NHS direct tonight and they also advised the syringe and said not to worry too much about being an hour before a feed. they said to do the best I could and if it was only 30 mins then that would be ok too

thanks again