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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To put DS' antibiotics in a glass of cola?

71 replies

LetThereBeCupcakes · 11/10/2015 09:04

I think I am, but I'm at my wit's end.

DS (2.7) has a chest and throat infection. He needs antibiotics. He was at my Dad's for the latter part of last week, they couldn't get any in to him. DH and I have been trying Friday night with limited success. Tried bribing him with chocolate buttons, explaining why he needs them, demonstrating on teddies, offering the choice between syringe and spoon - no luck. Resorted to wrapping him in a towel and just trying to squirt it in but he clamps his mouth shut and spits out what little we do get in.

In desperation, I mixed this morning's dose in a cup with about an inch of cola, which he guzzled down. I'm torn between just getting the medicine in him any which way, and worrying about his teeth. Oh, and wondering if the cola will interfere with the medicine in any way.

AIBU? And if so - how the hell do I get these ABs in to him?

BTW, I tasted the ABs myself. It tastes of banana, hardly bitter at all so no idea why he won't take it.

Help!!

OP posts:
strawberrypenguin · 11/10/2015 09:05

If it gets him to take it I'd do it.

RoganJosh · 11/10/2015 09:09

I'd do it too. Try and do it as far before bed as you can and give some milk afterwards.
If it interacted with Coke then it could do that in the stomach, so it would say to take it on an empty stomach, which it doesn't.

molyholy · 11/10/2015 09:10

Just do it. We went through a horrible time when dd was younger and had a uti. We had to physically hold her down to get the abs into her. She was in tears. I was in tears. Horrific. If you ds will take it in a bit of cola, bloody do it!

MakeItRain · 11/10/2015 09:12

I was all set to say no, but reading your post I would say if he drinks it with a small bit of cola then do it. Getting the antibiotics down is the most important thing. Maybe you could experiment with other food/drink too? Yoghurt, fruit juice etc. Just brush his teeth a bit more than usual if he's having frequent sugary drinks.

DingbatsFur · 11/10/2015 09:12

Yup go for cola!

Andcake · 11/10/2015 09:12

Had you tried mixing it with other things before the Coke - we had same problem with ds and used fruity baby food pouches and innocent smoothies.

Crazypetlady · 11/10/2015 09:14

I would do it just add in an extra brush of his teeth maybe. I have heard its good for sore throats. Probably untrue but stranger things have happened
Hmm

Nonnainglese · 11/10/2015 09:17

Definitely any which way you can, bribery included.

londonrach · 11/10/2015 09:21

Do it but if you are going to brush his teeth more wait one hour after drinking the coke before brushing the teeth (my dentist told me so must be right). If its the banana tasting one it is the worse tasting medicine ever and to date ive never found anything that gets rid of that taste. If op you found the solution thank you. A little bit of coke to getting the abs he needs...no contest. Hope he is better soon x

TattyDevine · 11/10/2015 09:22

Do it. Its only cola. By all means clean his teeth an extra time but don't do it straight after - wait at least 15 minutes (something about acid attack on enamel). And don't let that freak you out about cola, things like apple juice are the same.

Minisoksmakehardwork · 11/10/2015 09:23

You're at your wits end and I can understand that. But I'd be reluctant to offer medicine diluted in anything unless it was supposed to be. But then I'd offer a small drink after to take the taste away so I'd completely contradict myself as surely all you're doing is mixing it up before it enters the stomach, whereas mine would wait until it got there.

Dd2 (3) had the vile tasting (to a child) aniseed antibiotics a short while ago, taken either 1 hour before food or 2 hours after and 4 times a day. So a very small window to get them in her.

I am clearly a mean mummy as dh and I both prefer to go down the route of firm cuddle and a syringe followed by cuddles and praise for being a good girl and taking her medicine . Yes, technically it could be seen as restraining the child and forcing medicine in them. But I'd prefer that than prolonging an illness unnecessarily.

As parents sometimes we do have to do things which are upsetting to a child and therefore upsetting for us. But as long as it is for a necessary procedure - medicine, vaccs, Childs own safety and so on - we have to act like the adult and take that responsibility instead of shying away from it.

Aquarius320 · 11/10/2015 09:24

Can't you hold open his mouth, just the once? I bet he'd be obliging in future.

superzero · 11/10/2015 09:27

Give it with the Coke.He's a bit too young for negotiation and he needs the antibiotics

Oysterbabe · 11/10/2015 09:27

Can't you mix it with milk?
Yanbu in any event.

HSMMaCM · 11/10/2015 09:28

And next time he needs them ask for another flavour. Can the gp swap them for you tomorrow ?

Felyne · 11/10/2015 09:30

Ella's fruit smoothie worked for us. Open pouch, remove a small amount and syringe in antibiotics. Shake and present to child.
I could not force it into him, I tried once and he nearly ended up choking.
I couldn't understand why he wouldn't have the medicine on its own, it tasted like melted ice cream.

LaContessaDiPlump · 11/10/2015 09:31

Aquarius I used to hold DS2's mouth open and he now involuntarily retches at the sight of a medicine spoon or syringe.

op I think cola is fine. Do it. I might copy you in future in fact!

Original poster
LetThereBeCupcakes · 11/10/2015 09:32

Thanks all. Feeling a little less bad about it.

I've tried mixing it with yoghurt, milk, strawberry milkshake, chocolate mousse, mashed banana, fruit smoothies... you name it, we've tried it.

Also tried physically restraining him but he spits it out. Probably managing to get about a quarter of each dose in to him each time using that method.

I'll ask if they do different flavours, will have to go back and get extra anyway!

OP posts:
GnomeDePlume · 11/10/2015 09:32

Go for it. We used to have to disolve DD's anti nausea tablets in near full concentrate blackcurrant squash. She survived and at 20 still has her own teeth.

Joskar · 11/10/2015 09:32

Brilliant! I never thought of that! Meds to 2 year olds is a nightmare. By any means necessary, op. Will be using your method next time for the steroids.

rainbowunicorn · 11/10/2015 09:33

I would do it no hesitation at the end of the day it is a mouthful or two of cola and it is getting the medicine in to him

EarSlaps · 11/10/2015 09:37

We had so many problems with the banana antibiotics before. Last time we tried orange and ds loved it, kept asking for more.

ShamefulUsername · 11/10/2015 09:37

If it works, do it. I don't see the difference in a mouthful of Coke or a couple of chocolate buttons for a bribe tbh!

Wolfiefan · 11/10/2015 09:40

I'd speak to a pharmacist for advice.

Katiebeau · 11/10/2015 09:40

The sugar in coke or other foods might ruin the actual antibiotic. Ask a pharmacist if it's OK to do this otherwise he might just be getting Coke.

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