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Original poster

Nephew refusing to take antobiotics any suggestions?

38 replies

Overseasmom100 · 28/09/2019 09:24

So my nephew has ABs he's 2. It's flavoured but quite sharp tang. They have tried mixing with juice, yoghurt, milk even letting him do it himself but just spits it out.

Any advice?

OP posts:
Original poster
Overseasmom100 · 28/09/2019 09:25

I suggested they ask GP perhaps for the banana flavoured one or try mixing with ice cream

OP posts:
Nightmanagerfan · 28/09/2019 09:27

Syringe (one that comes with calpol) and squirt into side of cheek - Rub cheek to get him to swallow

PeanuttyButter · 28/09/2019 09:29

Personally I would grab his face and push the syringe in his mouth. He's not been given abs for the fun of it it's obviously something that could become serious. It comes a point where you have to be the parent, he's 2 he doesn't understand consequences. My dad once had to hold my brother down while he was given a GA for an op he really really needed. My brother still remembers and it haunts my dad.But at the end of the day it had to be done. When he's old enough to understand consequences and rewards etc then you can try othr sTuff

Original poster
Overseasmom100 · 28/09/2019 09:29

Tried this snd he sicked it up!!!!

OP posts:
EleanorLavish · 28/09/2019 09:30

Oh my goodness! OP this reminds me of the time my son was in hospital. He was in for a month and there was a wee girl beside him after he was admitted. She was going home a day or so later but needed to take her antibiotics orally instead of IV.
Well, 24 hrs later they were still there and she was still refusing!
Parents tried cajoling, bribing, begging, crying,pleading....drs came and did the same,lol! But she had no intention of taking them. She was about 6yo.
Anyway, eventually she realised she was going to have to take them if she wanted to get home. So she took them.
But I often wondered if she took anymore once she got there.Grin
I’ve no suggestions I’m afraid OP, but do check with GP if they are definitely needed for more than 3 days, as in hospital that’s what we do now. You check bloods & results etc after 3 days and discontinue if no longer needed.

Original poster
Overseasmom100 · 28/09/2019 09:31

Its for a sore toe. ABs 4 times a day!!!
He has a cold at the mo so wont be feeling great so holding him down 4 times a day and forcing it in isnt really an option Hmm

OP posts:
petrocellihouse · 28/09/2019 09:32

Try giving him a sweet to suck straight after you have given the dose via the syringe. It’s much harder to bring anything back up if he’s got something in his mouth already.

Original poster
Overseasmom100 · 28/09/2019 09:34

He takes meds usually but this tastes vile. I think she needs to get a better flavoured one there are a few gp can perscribed

OP posts:
raspberryk · 28/09/2019 09:35

Regardless of the situation I've always held mine down and done it.

Teddybear45 · 28/09/2019 09:38

I would hold their nose and use a syringe and copious amount of bribery but the 2 yos I know can talk. If he can’t then might be better to return to the GP and ask for IV antibiotics

Winterlife · 28/09/2019 09:38

Can he be given the choice of a syringe or small cup? It gives him the illusion of some control. Perhaps that will work.

Be careful mixing antibiotics with food or drink. Some may affect the efficiency of the antibiotic.

CherryPavlova · 28/09/2019 09:38

Make it really cold to reduce the taste.
Wrap in a bath sheet to avoid squirming, syringe in cheek and hold mouth shut until swallowed. Then cuddle and a sweet.

Dithering about trying to persuade them prolongs the fuss, makes them more upset and more likely to vomit. Just get on with it. It’s only a few days.

PETRONELLAS · 28/09/2019 09:41

All these suggestions are helpful but if the child then is so distressed he vomits they’re not really practical.
Smoothie
Ice cubes to wash it down
Distraction with a you tube video - even the unboxing trash ones
So tough Flowers

MILHouse · 28/09/2019 09:44

A couple of chocolate buttons might coat his mouth better than other sweets. More chocolate buttons immediately after.

muddledmidget · 28/09/2019 09:44

If its flucloxacillin that's been prescribed it does taste bad, but is the best one for an infected toe, they can't just prescribe the banana one as it isn't effective against the bacteria causing the infection. Depending on the brand, it can be pineapple flavour or orange, menthol and tuttifrutti all combined. The only thing I found that would disguise the taste was Lilt fizzy drink...

Original poster
Overseasmom100 · 28/09/2019 09:48

Yes it is flucloxacillin

OP posts:
Soola · 28/09/2019 09:48

Mixed in with jam in a jam sandwich with the crusts cut off!

WoollyFoolly · 28/09/2019 09:52

My DS has some bitter flavoured antibiotics when he was about that age, he had an infected eyelid so could well be the same type. I tried everything but just couldn't do it. I held him down and squirted under his tongue but he screamed so much he was sick and it came straight out. Honestly after a couple of days I just went back to the gp and got different ones prescribed. There was no point continuing with the first, he was getting no more than 1/4 dose each time if that.

DonPablo · 28/09/2019 09:52

There is no worse antibiotic for a small kid. I found that even if mine took it, they'd throw it back up almost instantly.

I would mix it with something h, but not the smae thing every time, because he'll know that the strawberry milk is hiding it after 1 attempt.

Jam sandwich is a great idea. Just on one of the triangles. Yoghurt, ice cream, anything with honey, milk shakes, smoothies. And a treat afterwards.

Its awful for everyone when this happens. Hope he's on the mend soon Flowers

3luckystars · 28/09/2019 09:53

Most children are like this. I wish they would make antibiotic suppositories for children.

Just wrestle and give in in a syringe and hope for the best.

Smotheroffive · 28/09/2019 09:55

Whatever his favourite thing is, that would overpower the vile taste afterwards, and before!

Stickers, and all the usual suspects.

I would definitely not be pinching noses as then they have to mouth breath and can choke!

Second the making it very cold to lessen the taste, and into the cheek to avoid the tongue tasting it.

If he simply can't tolerate it, i.e. the taste makes him vomit, he'll have to have IV ABs in hospital.

It happens.

RiddleMeThis2018 · 28/09/2019 09:57

With babies, toddlers and cats, I just hold them down and squirt it in. It’s over super quick, and they have a cuddle and a chocolate afterwards (not the cat, obvs.) He may be less likely to vomit it up if you haven’t had a great preamble of cajoling and crying first. He must take the antibiotics. My DD has had several infected toes, and it can get very serious very quickly.

drspouse · 28/09/2019 09:58

Jam, but on a spoon not in a sandwich as he might not eat the whole sandwich.

ThePhoenixRises · 28/09/2019 10:10

Chocolate milkshake, hides the taste.

Toddlerteaplease · 28/09/2019 10:15

Peadiatric nurse here. The antibiotics do taste absolutely vile. There is no way if disguising the taste. Unfortunately I don't have any magic tricks either. Other than pin him down and squirt in the back of his cheek. You can't ask for the banana one as it's a different antibiotic.