Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2

Original poster

to have let dd go to bed without her meds?

45 replies

Tokyotwist · 26/02/2011 20:46

dd, who is 2 and a half, is on antibiotics (started today) and calpol for tonsillitis. She has been running very high temps, which are usually worse at night (39.5).

I have just spent 2 hrs begging, threatening and attempting all manner of bribes to get her to take both medicines. Nothing worked.

I have given up and put her to bed. I am very worried but can't see what else I can do as she just wouldn't take them.

AIBU to give up or worrying unnecessarily. What would you do?

OP posts:

poochela · 26/02/2011 23:50

mix it with a couple of spoons of nutella, that worked with mine. Hope she's better soon. x

foreverondiet · 27/02/2011 00:01

Hard with a child of that age, but generally DC are told there is the nice way - have the medicine followed by some chocolate buttons to take taste away, or the horrible way which involves force feeding.

You can get paracetamol suppositories for babies/toddlers which might be easier to administer esp if she is still in nappies, so just have the battle on the anti-biotics.

raindroprhyme · 27/02/2011 19:55

the nurofen syringes are easier because you can get right to back of her throat causing her to gag and swallow. Hope today went better.

Original poster

Tokyotwist · 27/02/2011 20:33

Not really, Got the medicine in, but had to hold her down every time. Lots of screaming, wriggling and clamping of teeth together. Made me feel like I was a great big bully .

OP posts:

strawberrie · 27/02/2011 20:43

It will probably get easier over the next day or so - I know it feels wrong to 'overpower' your child but it really has to be done with ABs. My DD had 2 bouts of flucloxacillin and another one (co-amoxiclav?) in the autumn and it was grim (the fluclox tastes like Bitter Alice) and we found that her resistance waned over 36 hours or so.

I found it easier to syringe very small amounts in at a time (so a 5ml dose over 5/6 mouthfuls) and for that you need a really smooth syringe - if you're pushing and it jerks there's more chance of spitting out. Your pharmacist will usually give you a few if you ask sweetly.

strawberrie · 27/02/2011 20:45

Also to hold her in your arms in a semi-reclined position - too upright and it's more likely to come back out; but not so far back that she splutters.

systemsaddict · 27/02/2011 20:49

Mixing with nutella is genius! You've done the right thing forcing it down her Tokyo, I know it feels awful doing it though. Hopefully by tomorrow the meds will have kicked in and if she feels better will complain a bit less.

Original poster

Tokyotwist · 27/02/2011 20:50

Thanks Strawberrie. I have been lying her down flat so I'll try semi-reclined tomorrow. I'll be really glad when we've finished the bottle.

OP posts:

supersewer · 27/02/2011 20:51

for goodness sake, make her take it!!!!

StarExpat · 27/02/2011 20:58

Squeezing cheeks together so he can't spit it out works for our DS, while holding him and with syringe. The orange one is awful but he'll eat the banana one no problem. Going to try mixing with yogurt next time! Great tips on this thread :)
Well done, Tokyo for getting it in her.

jenga079 · 27/02/2011 21:04

My mum used to crush any tablets and mix them with a spoonful of undiluted Ribena. Worked every time because it felt 'naughty'

beachholiday · 27/02/2011 22:36

We have given a paralink suppository instead of calpol as DS does not object to them (but hates oral meds). Something to consider maybe. Found it great for bringing down a fever.

bumpsoon · 27/02/2011 22:44

Back in the day antibiotics were sugar full and the stuff i remember was barbie pink and tasted like blackpool rock! Not much use my reminiscing but i second the syringe

thinkingaboutschools · 27/02/2011 22:46

My dc has to take medication every day. The only way I can get in down is in milk - highly recommended if your child will drink milk

Pollo · 28/02/2011 06:42

And most of all, do not feel guilty. You tried your best that night and I expect you were utterly exhausted. Good luck!!

LoveBeingAKnockedUp · 28/02/2011 07:00

Don't feel bad it is horrible and defo worth trying other ways today. What us it she doesn't like, the taste you giving it her? Might sound silly but have you explained it will make her poorly go away and tried getting her to say the name. Worked with my dd this time.

rubyslippers · 28/02/2011 07:02

Mix it In melted chocolate

I got this tip from MN

DS had an horrendous bout of tonsillitis and needed ABs which of course tasted foul

Mixing with choc, whilst not ideal, meant he took his meds

MCos · 28/02/2011 08:55

Tokyotwist, just to let you know she will grow out of this. I used to have to hold my two DDs down when giving ABs when they were younger. Now I still get backchat and refusals for a few mins, but they can be talked into taking it after a few mins.

linziluv · 28/02/2011 09:21

I have exact same problem with DS (2.9)....he used to be great until a particularly nasty antibiotic was prescribed (clarythromycin?)...I bought Tesco's own yoghurt drinks (they have screw caps), about £1.49 for 6 and think there's an offer on a min. Stick calpol and antibiotic in, put lid on, give a shake.....never fails to work here! Although he has to have a special curly straw also...lol

QueenStromba · 28/02/2011 09:58

I really don't understand why they have to give kids such horrible tasting medicine, it's far easier to open up a capsule and mix the powder with a teaspoon of jam or something. The banana flavoured one was particularly foul and used to to make me retch.

Flip

1 2