aibu to force amoxicillin down 3yr old dd?

[appealtakingovermylife]

Posting here for traffic as am desperate
Dd is 3.5, been to doctors today as she was wheezy/coughing and generally unwell, started over the weekend with a cold.

Doctor said she has a nasty chest infection and prescribed amoxicillin. I told him that we've had terrible trouble in the past, getting dd to take this.

He said that is what she needs and I got it from chemist.
As predicted, dd was hysterical when she saw it, I tried to reason with her as she understands and talks very well, but no getting through.

So I put her on my knee and tried to get it in her mouth via a syringe which we use for calpol etc but she spat most of it out.
Tried hiding it in a yoghurt just now and she had 1 spoon and refused to eat it.
She is also refusing to drink anything unless I hover over her and make sure she does. Normally loves her juice and water so getting worried.

Any tips please?
Thanks if you've got this far:)

Have you tried asking her what would make her take it? I do bribe my dd probably too much as she's very strong willed and I often lose in a straight fight. Is there a new TV series she wants? New peppa/Sofia the first etc?
Could try taking her to a toy shop and letting her pick. Alternatively, you could indeed call your dr and ask if you can take her to a and e to administer the medicine, may shock her into taking it. Sympathies...

Just a little note of caution regarding using hospital as a threat/punishment. Have learned from unfortunate experience that this can set children up with some real fears/phobias around hospital that can follow into adulthood, where they then refuse any treatment at all until they absolutely need it (or its too late).

I know its tempting (have a toddler medicine-refuser at the moment myself), but I really wouldn't make them afraid of hospital or use it as a threat if you can help it.

We had the same problem, it was awful but we basically had to hold DS down (2 of use) and use a syringe to get the medicine right into the back of his mouth so he could only swallow. Then lots of cuddles and a chocolate.

Please don't flame me.

I have been here. ds is more stubborn than me. He did not co-operate.

I gave him a glucose tablet. I let it settle then held the packet in front of him and said that it is now only for AFTER medicine. It worked - and I had tried absolutely all forms of bribery known to desperate mums.

A chemist once refused to sell me a packet as they said he would bounce off the walls. He didn't - too poorly. You may like to be discreet about reason for purchase.

Good luck and I hope your little one feels better soon.

Success!!!
My dd was saying how much she wants a sand/water table for the garden so I used it to my advantage and said I will buy her it once the medicine bottle is empty so she said she would have some. I didn't believe for a second that she would do it.

She sat on the kitchen worktop, I held her nose as I put the syringe in her mouth, did it in 2 stages and she swallowed it all and I jumped for joy:)
( so bribery can work)

So glad for you! I hope she feels better soon!

When my 4yr old had to have amoxi for a chest infection I told her the doctor said she had to have either the medicine on a spoon or eat one of the small pots of petit filous (twice a day). She chose the petit filous, which I then poured into a bowl and mixed with the required spoonful of amoxi. She never saw me doing this - just taking the yoghurt out of the fridge. I also bought a large punnet of raspberries which she loves so after every mouthful of yoghurt she got a raspberry, then a few raspberries after she finished the yoghurt.

She finished the entire course and still says what a nice doctor he was letting her have yoghurt instead!

(I had tried for 1.5 days to get her to take the amoxi off the spoon and she's a stubborn little madam so wouldn't / retched it back up)