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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To ask how the hell you get medicine into a 3 year old?!?!?!

105 replies

princessconsuelobananahammock · 18/09/2014 20:11

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagh as above really. DS has tonsillitis & has been prescribed antibiotics but I just cannot get him to take the medicine. Any tips?!

OP posts:

morechildrenplease · 18/09/2014 20:47

Best way to get it in if you have to resort to pinning down is to squirt 10 ml at a time into side of mouth as much harder to spit that out. It's slower but gets more in. Learnt this trick from a paedeatric nurse.

LumpenproletariatAndProud · 18/09/2014 20:48

Bribe every time but different.

So if its 3 times a day (Im doing this with my three year old) then "Oh you wanted to paint? Sure! As soon as you have had this."

"You want to watch bubble guppies! Sure! But the TV is staying off until you have had this."

"Cake? Sure......"

Etc etc

Bumpsadaisie · 18/09/2014 20:50

Mine loves yellow penicillin so he was looking fwd to taking his. Then when it turned out to be clear fluloxcillin this time that tasted foul, he was infuriated as well as disgusted.

We had to resort to bribery - with choc buttons. Try it. They soon get the knack!

FlossingTheCrevices · 18/09/2014 20:52

Medicine dummy works. The DC haven't used dummies for a couple of years but do have medicine in one and they can't help but suck it down when I press the plunger.

3bunnies · 18/09/2014 20:54

Measure the correct dose, get some icing sugar, mix with the liquid then suck it back into the syringe and giveit all to them (don't be tempted to put the sugar into the bottle or the dose will be wrong). Mary Poppins had the right idea!

JavaSparrow · 18/09/2014 20:56

Similar problem here with calpol was fixed with pink lemonade if that's an option? Maybe milkshake for antibiotics?

BlackeyedSusan · 18/09/2014 20:56

yellow banaba flavoured medicine went in milk as milk shake.

the pink vile stuff... neat black currant, and a spoon of sugar to take the edge off enough.

LittleprincessinGOLDrocks · 18/09/2014 20:57

Syringe it in to the cheek rather than the back of the throat to avoid choking, but otherwise agree with everyone else. Bribe if you need to.
DS only fights with one antibiotic, every other medicine he takes off a spoon no problem, but this one we need the syringe and a chocolate or special sweetie for afterwards. I am guessing it is the strong taste that bothers him.

DesperateDelilah · 18/09/2014 20:58

I had to do the syringe it in method - what changed it for us was extended repeated watching of the peppa pig episode where they all to take medicine. Danny Dog (I think) has a cough, everyone else catches it at Madame gazelles then doctor brown bear doses everyone with medicine. And a huge insistence on how it would make him feel better.

Also mixed it into ice cream. And squash. But peppa solved it - and DS was really bad with taking medicine. I remember once, both of us were sick, dp was at work and DS and and I both in tears while I pinned him down. I felt so rubbish at parenting cos I couldn't get him to take medicine. Wish I had known how many people have this problem...

MrsPnut · 18/09/2014 20:59

I still use a syringe with my 8 year old, far less mess and they can squirt it in themselves because only really big children can do that.

ithoughtofitfirst · 18/09/2014 20:59

Genius java

I am writing all these down, i think i've managed to get about 2ml of calpol in my ds in 2 and a half years.

elliejjtiny · 18/09/2014 20:59

I find the best way is to put medicine into a syringe and give it to them to do it themselves, it makes them feel in control. They get one sweet for taking the medicine and 2 sweets for taking the medicine without whinging or trying to escape.

Edenviolet · 18/09/2014 20:59

I'd go for the wrapping in a towel and pinning down then syringing it in. Ds1 used to try and refuse and we had a particularly wonderful time when he kept getting utis but tried to refuse he medicine. He would scream, cry, gag, choke etc etc but after a few doses he got the message that he was getting the medicine regardless.

Same with dd2 in the first week after being diagnosed with diabetes. She tried the trick of refusing to eat after jabs as hated them so we just let her eat first then pinned her down afterwards

Ouroboros · 18/09/2014 21:00

I used to mix it in with a frube and DD would happily eat it all, think she was a bit younger than 3 though.

girliefriend · 18/09/2014 21:01

Which antibiotic is it?

Mine will only take amoxicillin (banana medicine )

All the other antibiotics taste revolting app

Picklesauage · 18/09/2014 21:01

I also used the 'wrap them up like a cat' method. I had to do that when I was alone. When there were 2 of us we held den and squirted in with a reward after. After 4 doses the resistance faded making it easier.

AliMonkey · 18/09/2014 21:06

Still never managed it with my 7 year old except the one time I managed to get threadworm medicine into him via a bowl of ice cream - he never questioned why I was giving him a bowl of ice cream just before bed time.

Have given up on anything like calpol and he just suffers. Keep thinking one day he will realise the medicine is better and give in. Luckily never needed antibiotics or anything worse.

GiveTwoSheets · 18/09/2014 21:06

Bribery with sweets, ice pops,when that didnt work I asked if he would hold the syringe with medicine and do it himself that seem to work.

Hakluyt · 18/09/2014 21:07

And always think- do they really need this stuff? Most childhood illnesses get better with love and cosseting..........

Obviously sometimes it's vital they take whatever it is, but if it's just a matter of it lasting a day longer, then decide whether the battle is worth it.

Norfolknway · 18/09/2014 21:29

Ring Santa Claus? Or is it not close enough to Christmas yet?

MrTumbleForPM · 18/09/2014 21:41

A special banana milkshake with it mixed in for breakfast worked for my 3 year old. She did end up having milkshake for breakfast for a while after though!

Original poster

princessconsuelobananahammock · 18/09/2014 21:50

More great ideas...thanks everyone!! Not sure what the antibiotics are (in bed now & staying put!) but it's def not amoxycillin, but it does look like it...I.e yellow! I don't know why they don't make medicine taste nicer, I'm sure even the most sugar careful people would prefer medicine to go in without this huge drama. I know if it tasted nice kids might just drink it etc. Or maybe medicine gummy bears?!

OP posts:

hippoinamudhole · 18/09/2014 22:08

I know it's hard on you having to get up frequently but I gave mine their medicine through the night when they were asleep and reflex swallowed when it was gently squirted into their mouth

3bunnies · 19/09/2014 00:13

You used to be able to get antibiotics with sugar as well as sugar free. Having had to take some liquid ab with tonsillitis I knew first hand what the medicine was like so started requesting one with sugar in for the dc. Until they stopped making it and had a major problem trying to get any chemist to accept the script. Apparently parents generally all wanted sugar free for little Tarquin. Sugar free is probably still full of additives and sweeteners.

Thebodyloveschocolateandwine · 19/09/2014 00:19

Sit child on lap,

Put the kids left hand behind your back,

Cross your legs to pin kids legd under yours,

Stroke kids throat as you spoon medicine in and if need b pinch the nose,

Stay in that position until they swallow.

Medicine done

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