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Original poster

Can anyone help- desperate- giving medicine to 2 year old

64 replies

babygirlmummy2020 · 28/02/2022 20:22

My DD is two and an absolute nightmare to give medicine to.

She has a fever of around 38 and I would really like to give her some ibo or paracetamol so she has a good nights sleep.

She just hates the syringe and also the spoon. She's also refusing to drink milk.

We've had to force it slowly into her mouth by holding her down and she just shuts her mouth and screams and cries. Tonight we tried that again, as it's literally the only way and she threw up. Now I'm scared to try again. I got some paracetamol suppositories and tried to put them in. But that just freaked me out and she wasn't happy either.

Does anyone have any tips ?? The doctors / nurses have said I just have to force it into her sometimes and some children are just like this. But it's honestly a nightmare.

It's getting so bad that I just avoid giving her fever medicine now and let her ride the fever a bit more naturally. But it's not ideal. I know she'd have a better night if she just had some tonight.

OP posts:
Dahlia444 · 28/02/2022 20:37

Persevere with suppositories - absolute God send for us for child with repeated tonsillitis and medicine refusal. Be very matter of fact about it - nothing to freak you/child out.

We could just about get antibiotics into him when he felt a bit better after the paracetamol suppository kicked in - he felt so ill no usual bribery with food etc or hiding it in anything worked.

Suppositories worked much faster than oral meds as well. Don't know why we are so weird about them in this country.

I still remember the relief when DS learned to swallow tablets.

Although as a pp said I'm not sure I would bother for temp of 38 if they're feeling generally OK.

Original poster
babygirlmummy2020 · 28/02/2022 20:39

@Spaciet

Unless she's really uncomfortable or her temp keeps rising I'd leave it to be honest.

I got some paracetamol suppositories and tried to put them in. But that just freaked me out and she wasn't happy either.

What freaked you out about them? They're amazing.

I know it sounds really stupid.. but I was worried they'd go into the wrong hole. It just freaked me out that I would get it wrong. No one has ever shown me how to do it and it just seemed strange . Also, she was squirming and crying. I'll try again tomorrow.

My mum used to give me those. In Europe kids tends to only get suppositories..

OP posts:
Original poster
babygirlmummy2020 · 28/02/2022 20:41

@Dahlia444

Persevere with suppositories - absolute God send for us for child with repeated tonsillitis and medicine refusal. Be very matter of fact about it - nothing to freak you/child out.

We could just about get antibiotics into him when he felt a bit better after the paracetamol suppository kicked in - he felt so ill no usual bribery with food etc or hiding it in anything worked.

Suppositories worked much faster than oral meds as well. Don't know why we are so weird about them in this country.

I still remember the relief when DS learned to swallow tablets.

Although as a pp said I'm not sure I would bother for temp of 38 if they're feeling generally OK.

Yeah I'll try again and yeah I'm leaving her to it for now. The temp really is 38 and has now fallen again.

I'm just keeping her fresh in just her vest. Thanks for all the advice though. Great ideas !

OP posts:
freshflowers2 · 28/02/2022 20:43

Oh I feel for you our 3 year old is the same and always has been. Yes to suppositories if you can get them in? They saved us on a number of occasions. Recently he's been obsessed by those kids Innocent smoothies and we've been able to syringe baby nurofen into one of them.

We were in hospital with him last winter and prescribed antibiotics- they physically couldn't get them in, even with 3 nurses holding him down, as he'd unfortunately just choke or make himself sick. The only other option was an IV drip (luckily the doctor came round and said he seemed better so forget it).

Just praying this gets better when they're older Sad

Michellexxx · 28/02/2022 20:44

Although this doesn’t help atm, you should let her ‘play’ giving medicine to her toys etc without any pressure. Give her an empty calpol syringe and play with her with it. Keep it as a game and fun. You could put water in it etc.
But I do also agree with the suppository suggestions!

Michellexxx · 28/02/2022 20:45

*obviously the above would take time and lots of playing to have a change!

grey12 · 28/02/2022 20:45

A nurse suggested mixing it with icecream Wink

AdriannaP · 28/02/2022 20:47

We had the same and suppositories all the way. Takes 5seconds and they are in with minimal trauma.

jeanne16 · 28/02/2022 20:48

Of course you must use suppositories. They are particularly important when the child is vomiting and can’t keep oral medicines down. Make sure you keep them in the house.

Mano2020 · 28/02/2022 20:49

I always use distraction to get my little one to have calpol or ibruprofen. Me or my DH will carry him around the Garden and whilst he is distracted the other would syringe small amounts into his mouth. It works most of the time for us Smile

x2boys · 28/02/2022 20:58

I don't have a two year old but my son has severe autism and learning disabilities ,it's really hard to get any medication in him ,if she will accept it in any food or drink that would be better otherwise we syringe it into the corner of his cheek and try and keep his mouth closed so he will swallow it rub his throat etc it can be really hard I sympathize

JerkintheMerkin · 28/02/2022 21:02

Using a syringe always squirt into the cheek never straight down the throat. Goes down with zero spillage/wastage.

koalalala · 28/02/2022 21:05

I wouldn't be forcing anything down for a temp of 38.

DS won't take ibuprofen. He'll take paracetamol (one specific brand).

Last time I forced ibuprofen into him he was 40.8 degrees, in a nappy, AFTER maximum dose of paracetamol.

I told him that he takes the medicine or we go straight to hospital. He chose hospital! I persevered and he spat and then was sick so lost atleast half but it did bring him down to 39.1.

I get it - it's horrific but forcing won't help. I wouldn't unless they're very ill. Even after surgery DS declined ibuprofen and coped on just paracetamol. I think ibuprofen makes him feel sick / shit.

3luckystars · 28/02/2022 21:14

Try the suppositories again, use Vaseline and do it quickly, you will get used to it.

3luckystars · 28/02/2022 21:16

I hated the suppositories at first but eventually could take off a nappy and do them IN THE DARK without even waking the baby. It’s a skill I might never need again but I’m quite proud of that.

Original poster
babygirlmummy2020 · 28/02/2022 21:19

@koalalala

I wouldn't be forcing anything down for a temp of 38.

DS won't take ibuprofen. He'll take paracetamol (one specific brand).

Last time I forced ibuprofen into him he was 40.8 degrees, in a nappy, AFTER maximum dose of paracetamol.

I told him that he takes the medicine or we go straight to hospital. He chose hospital! I persevered and he spat and then was sick so lost atleast half but it did bring him down to 39.1.

I get it - it's horrific but forcing won't help. I wouldn't unless they're very ill. Even after surgery DS declined ibuprofen and coped on just paracetamol. I think ibuprofen makes him feel sick / shit.

I think you're right. She's ok at 38. She's pretty much herself, apart from being off her milk- which to be fair- she should be going off anyway at 2 years old ! ( I mean milk in a bottle ).

She's also not been drinking a lot and she's been more picky with food. But she's still eaten the stuff she's wanted ( crackers, pizza, chocolate ). So I reckon if things are worse tomorrow - I will try with ice cream or try the suppository again.

I think if someone just showed me once how to do the suppository I would feel more comfortable though.

OP posts:
KickinTheRibs · 28/02/2022 21:20

My 2yo used to be terrible, she would kick up so much fuss that even after we’d syringed it tiny bit by tiny bit into her mouth she would cry and cough afterwards until she just threw it back up. I was really at the end of my tether.

One day, I decided to get a spoon out (metal adult spoon rather than the medicine one or toddler one) and I loaded the syringe, put it on the spoon, wander into the living room with the spoon and didn’t say a word to DD.. not a word. I just pretended to sip it, looked at daddy and said it was nice..

“Me have some too! Me try mummy’s!”
“No it’s mummy’s”
Queue a wobbly lip “me try some too”
“Well ok, but only a little bit because it’s mummy’s and it’s yummy”

Now she loves medicine and we have the opposite problem where she’s asking for it everyday 🤣

Original poster
babygirlmummy2020 · 28/02/2022 21:22

@3luckystars

Try the suppositories again, use Vaseline and do it quickly, you will get used to it.
Ah see. I was doing it really really slowly...

I had to put a suppository in myself not long ago ( super gross and tmi, sorry ). But I found it easier just to do it very very slowly. Your muscles kind of absorb it themselves. Sorry so gross. But this may be different with kids. My mum used to do it quite quick and it was always a bit uncomfortable.. memories..

OP posts:
Original poster
babygirlmummy2020 · 28/02/2022 21:23

@KickinTheRibs

My 2yo used to be terrible, she would kick up so much fuss that even after we’d syringed it tiny bit by tiny bit into her mouth she would cry and cough afterwards until she just threw it back up. I was really at the end of my tether.

One day, I decided to get a spoon out (metal adult spoon rather than the medicine one or toddler one) and I loaded the syringe, put it on the spoon, wander into the living room with the spoon and didn’t say a word to DD.. not a word. I just pretended to sip it, looked at daddy and said it was nice..

“Me have some too! Me try mummy’s!”
“No it’s mummy’s”
Queue a wobbly lip “me try some too”
“Well ok, but only a little bit because it’s mummy’s and it’s yummy”

Now she loves medicine and we have the opposite problem where she’s asking for it everyday 🤣

Aww sounds cute. I will try. She always wants to eat what I eat.. even if we have the same stuff on our plates, she wants my food 🤣🤣
OP posts:
Katya213 · 28/02/2022 21:24

Give her it hidden behind the yoghurt on a spoon so she sees the yoghurt first. Soon as she’s had it, give her a drink so it doesn’t leave the taste in her mouth.

Nomoreusernames1244 · 28/02/2022 21:27

38 is only just above normal. I also wouldn’t be forcing meds for that.

Bear in mind temps actually have a function- they raise the body’s temp to a level bacteria and viruses can’t survive at. By bringing it down with meds you’re actually helping whatever bug survive in her body, prolonging the illness at best, possibly even making it worse.

I had a med refuser. I gave up in the end and let the illnesses run their course- just traditional nursing care for comfort- tepid baths, light blanket, lots of ice lollies and ice cubes for liquid.

Original poster
babygirlmummy2020 · 28/02/2022 21:40

@Nomoreusernames1244

38 is only just above normal. I also wouldn’t be forcing meds for that.

Bear in mind temps actually have a function- they raise the body’s temp to a level bacteria and viruses can’t survive at. By bringing it down with meds you’re actually helping whatever bug survive in her body, prolonging the illness at best, possibly even making it worse.

I had a med refuser. I gave up in the end and let the illnesses run their course- just traditional nursing care for comfort- tepid baths, light blanket, lots of ice lollies and ice cubes for liquid.

Yeah you're totally right I think. We get used to giving it to them, but don't always need to at all. My mother in law tells me just to constantly I don't think my parents gave me meds unless it was over 39 really.

Also at 38 she's still acting quite normal, apart from being a bit picky with food and refusing milk.

At 39 and above, you can really see a difference. She just wants to lie down etc.

OP posts:
Justbecause88 · 28/02/2022 21:46

My 2 year old is awful at taking medication, the only person who can get it into him is my husband through force. Ive got some suppositories now as DH is going to be away with work for months and I can't be battling with him. I only ever give it as a last resort anyway. They use suppositories as the norm in lots of Europe!

Scotinoz · 28/02/2022 21:47

Honestly, I’d wrap her up in a blanket, syringe into the cheek and blow in her face to force a swallow.

There’s no use in negotiating or faffing on with a toddler. You have to be cruel to be kind sometimes.

ilovemyboys3 · 28/02/2022 21:48

I either mix medicine into a yoghurt or fruit pouch. Or if I desperately need him to take medicine due to high temp etc then I lay him back, hold his head and squirt it in little bit at a time. Not too much so he chokes. Cruel I know but the saying is "you've got to be cruel to be kind" and you know best. If she has a dummy, I often pretend to put that in and then squirt the medicine in instead. Sometimes you know they need it and just need to get it in them. Good luck Z