How do I get a 3yr old to take penicillin?

[Jen44]

DS - nearly 4 - has always been difficult taking nasty tasting medicine. Just had to pin him down and it still went everywhere. First we tried a bribe of chocolate, then tried holding his nose, neither worked. Traumatic for all - any ideas gratefully received.
Thank you :)

How do you administer it? Do you use a spoon or a syringe?
A syringe is better because it allows you to put the medicine directly into the back of his mouth, where he tastes it less and is able to do little other than swallow.
Otherwise, can you mix it with anything to hide the taste?

Unless he has SN (you don't mention it so I'm assuming not) surely you can just explain that he has to take it to make him better? My DD is 3.2 and is on long term antibiotics for recurrent UTI. The med is vile, it even makes me wince, but she takes it no problem cos she knows it to make it better

As Ruth says though, a syringe is easier if you can't get him to just take it

sometimes it works asking a neutral party to give the meds... DD was a nightmare taking penicilin at home, but took it from nursery staff without any fuss.. if you have had to resort to force that can become part of the problem

Would he take tablets? My DD1 has always hated taking liquid meds, but has taken tablets since before she was 3yo.

If so, you'll need a new prescription.

they usually taste quite nice tbh - maybe have a word with the pharmacist to find out if there is a better tasting version of the same med or if they would recommend another one with similar effects for next time

otherwise, syringe is much better than spoon

and just tell him he's got to take it. at nearly four, I'd expect more cooperation from mine so I've got my 'don't even think about it' face on