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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Why do my kids hate taking medicine so much ?

17 replies

medicinebattle · 16/12/2023 21:57

My nearly 4 year old is marginally better now. But when she was around 18 months through to the terrible twos, it was impossible - a nightmare ! Doctors visits were hell too. She could just go nuts, not wanting to be examined..

My 18 month old us good at the doctor, but terrible with medicine. It's just horrible how upset he gets.

I just don't know how to give it to him in another way, apart from in milk or yoghurt or whatever.

But I just can't take it, I feel so bad for how sad he gets about having to take it. It made me so overwhelmed I cried earlier. I don't usually cry but I'm so tired. No sleep and all day in a and e and it's just too much.

Any tips ?

Some parent say their children just take it. I just can't even imagine that because neither of mine have ever liked it.

OP posts:

CrispsandCheeseSandwich · 16/12/2023 22:17

Do you mean things like calpol, or something prescribed?

I just don't know how to give it to him in another way, apart from in milk or yoghurt or whatever.

If putting it in milk/yoghurt works (and it isn't medication where you shouldn't) then I'd just do that. Just don't use too much yoghurt because you need to make sure they actually eat it all.

OakleyStreetisnotinChelsea · 16/12/2023 22:24

They hate it because it is usually vile and they can't rationalise why they have to take it. You are not alone. Generally your either have to pin them down and squirt with a syringe or bribe with chocolate. I remember one course of medication with my particularly strong willed dd each dose took about 4 chocolate buttons between teeny, tiny squirts.

Original poster

medicinebattle · 16/12/2023 22:33

CrispsandCheeseSandwich · 16/12/2023 22:17

Do you mean things like calpol, or something prescribed?

I just don't know how to give it to him in another way, apart from in milk or yoghurt or whatever.

If putting it in milk/yoghurt works (and it isn't medication where you shouldn't) then I'd just do that. Just don't use too much yoghurt because you need to make sure they actually eat it all.

Both really when they're feeling really poorly, they don't want any. When they're really sick and not wanting to eat or drink, it's so hard because then you can't even hide it in milk or yoghurt or whatever. Because they don't want anything. So you have no choice but to use the syringe.

OP posts:

AnnaMagnani · 16/12/2023 22:34

Milk or yoghurt don't disguise the usually vile taste.

You want something like honey, or just bribery with chocolate after.

AmazingDayz · 16/12/2023 22:35

That's most kids tbh

pizzaHeart · 16/12/2023 22:35

some of medicines are just not nice. I remember DD was prescribed antibiotics around 2y.o. - I couldn’t stand even the smell of it.

rubbleonthedoub · 16/12/2023 22:42

My now DS aged 6 once had to have medication given by suppository in hospital because she was so resistant to medicine. She isn't much better now but chocolate goes a long way

TreadSoftlyOnMyDreams · 16/12/2023 22:45

Oh god, the battles. Your kids are not unusual.
Kids medicine is so utterly disgusting. Mine can't bear the artificial strawberry gunk everything is laced with. We gave up and went with half a paracetamol tablet once they were over 5 or thereabouts. Easier to wash it down with some smarties on hand.

Balloonhearts · 16/12/2023 22:49

I just give them half a tablet. Kids medicine tastes absolutely revolting. They'll take half a paracetamol more readily than a spoonful of disgusting tasting syrup.

Hedgehoglover · 16/12/2023 22:58

Some child antibiotics are foul tasting. You wouldn't voluntarily swallow it yourself so why should they want to. It could also be that they are picking up on you being tense and anxious about it and that is making them even more wary. Do they ever see YOU taking medicines? If noy, maybe let them do so, that way they see it as something normal.

GreyDuck · 16/12/2023 23:00

Yep, we taught my just 4 years old (at the time) to take tablets last year because he went berserk over taking any medicine.
I was worried about the scarlet fever outbreak so we used the kidzmed resource here to teach him
https://www.nenc-healthiertogether.nhs.uk/parentscarers/medicine-children/pill-swallowing-kidzmed
The key for us is a sports cap bottle.

I don't think it will help with the younger one though.

Swallowing pills (Kidzmed) :: North East and North Cumbria Healthier Together

How to teach your child to swallow pills

https://www.nenc-healthiertogether.nhs.uk/parentscarers/medicine-children/pill-swallowing-kidzmed

flibbertigiblets · 16/12/2023 23:17

Best tip anyone ever gave me is give them the syringe so they can give themselves the medicine. They may need help with the plunging part. We had a real issue after our DD was given calpol in hospital and we were asked to hold her head and arms so she didn’t move. The ONLY thing that worked after that was letting her do it herself. Total game changer. Approach child with syringe = screaming. “Would you like to do it?” = huge nod and big smile

Original poster

medicinebattle · 17/12/2023 01:43

It's really becoming an issue because he just keeps vomiting while I'm giving him the medicine.

He gets himself into such a state that he just vomits it out. He's got a very high fever and now I'm unable to actually give him medication to help.

I don't know what to do.

OP posts:

AreSomeGoldfishJustDicks · 17/12/2023 01:50

I'm currently having the exact same issue with my 4 year old.
She is refusing to the point that she is attacking me and also the nurse that tried to give it to her in the hospital last night.
Never seen this side of her and it's heartbreaking.
A little better today after I told her I'd have to hold her nose again so she did take it eventually but lots of tears and screaming.

Think I'll try asking her tomorrow if she wants to do it herself.
6 days of antibiotics left 😪

HerRoyalNotness · 17/12/2023 02:42

medicinebattle · 17/12/2023 01:43

It's really becoming an issue because he just keeps vomiting while I'm giving him the medicine.

He gets himself into such a state that he just vomits it out. He's got a very high fever and now I'm unable to actually give him medication to help.

I don't know what to do.

Mine is like this too. If it’s a non negotiable medicine then I use gummy candy. She gets a candy, takes the meds, then another candy.

if it’s for pain, swelling and she chooses not to take it, she chooses suffering

wispadelight · 17/12/2023 02:44

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

Ladyj84 · 17/12/2023 02:59

Going thru this battle right now twins are 2 and our 3 year old have been ill the last few days. Rather than swallow they will spit or hold it in there mouth and dribble it anything but swallow lol

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