How to give antibiotics to a toddler during the night (four times a day)

[Lovefruitsandvegs]

It needs to be given four times a day, every six hours. It would be impossible to wake him up during the night to give some food before giving the antibiotics. He would have managed it on an empty stomach but the antibiotics should never be taken like that. If I let him sleep the whole night then it is going to be three times a day and not four. Any suggestions? Thank you!

maybe talk to your pharmacist and see can you give 3 larger doses instead of the 4 smaller ones. Eg. if he is on 12mls a day, 3 mls 4xdaily see can you give him 4mls 3xdaily. Hope that reads ok :)

just to add have had to do this with my own daughter before, she was on 2.5mls 4 times daily and got it changed to 5mls twice daily as she found it so upsetting to take them was easier for us all to have to do it less ifkwim :)

Thanks Turkelton, we need to give 5mls, 4 times a day. I remember once a doctor (a different GP months ago) told me we could let the child sleep (if one had to take antibiotics) and give next dose in the morning but you can not have 4 doses like that. It is written, equal intervals. I will try to persuade my kid to eat a little bit of banana or fromage which would be a difficult task.

Some children if you give it in a syringe you can give it while asleep and lying on their side. With ds this was infinitely easier than giving when awake.

I've always took it to me 4 x a day every 4 hours, as waking a child up to give meds would be torture. 8am, 12am, 4pm and bedtime.

I've always done it the same way as ForYourDreamsAreChina and spread it evenly across the childs waking hours.

I would total up daily dosage and divide it up equally through day when awake

Thank you for your suggestions. I have been also trying to do a web research on the intervals. It seems that keeping at regular intervals is best otherwise the antibiotic might accumulate leading to an overdose and possible side effects.
We have been prescribed erytromycin which can been taken with water, milk or even on an empty stomach. www.drugs.com/erythromycin.html
I will see how it goes this forthcoming night.

It's 4 times a DAY, surely. You space it out between wake up and bedtime.

I'd give it at breakfast, early lunch, early supper then bed time with some milk. Wouldn't worry too much about the bigger gap between bed time and breakfast. However, if your toddler still likes a bottle and a cuddle, you could wake him for a baby cuddle and dream feed at your bed time.

I would try the syringe idea. the only way I can get medicine into my toddler is in a syringe anyway.

I would set the alarm, gently wake him give him a few biscuits or crackers and then the anti-biotics. I had to do this with my dd and it worked fine. It clearly disrupts your and their sleep but sometimes keeping a constant level of anti-biotics to fight serious infection is more important.

6,12,6,12 :)

I have never woken a child to give them medicines. I am sure the dose is 4 times a day when they are awake. You don't count the hours that they are asleep.

Of couse it counts.

If you have a child on 4/24 hr meds in hospital they do them equally.

I wouldn't wake, as others have said I'd give 4 times during waking hours. Ask pharmacist if you need confirmation.

Its 4 times a day not through the night. Breakfast , lunch and dinner plus just before bed will be fine. thats what i have always done with my DS and myself.

I always just gave it evenly spaced during the waking hours. My dd was having them in hospital over 24hrs but it was iv so no need to wake her.I can text my sister if you like she is a peadiatric nurse.

No need to give during the night (and I do know what I'm talking about) - you won't overdose them and the level will be continuous enough.

After posting earlier DD has been put on antibiotics, 4x5ml daily. I double checked with the nurse and she confirmed how I have done it in the past, through waking hours :)

We were explicitly told by paediatrician that medication needed to be spaced out over 24 hours, e.g. every 6 hours and that we had to wake her up to give the medicine. I am not saying that this is necessary in every case, probably has to do with how serious the condition is and how important it is to keep a constant level of medication. We were also told that if we were unable to do this at home in this manner she would have to remain in hospital on IV.

Well then that is different give as directed.

Wow- never heard of having to wake a child for antibiotics-is it common?

My toddler is almost 3 and is a bit fussy when it comes to food. Last night we did not manage to give him any antibiotics; we let him sleep (that was my DH's idea) but I think I should have tried to give him. He only got his 4th dose this morning after 7am. He spits it out because he does not like the taste. The antib-cs is a bit thick and does not go into the mouth that easily even after shaking. I might add a few drops of water into the measuring cup.
What if I mixed it with some chocolate mousse? He loves it but wonder whether the antibiotic will still work. Have to research it.
So next doses will be around 14.00 (1st) and 20.00 (2nd). I will have to give him the 3rd one at 2am.

How to take antibiotics www.bupa.co.uk/individuals/health-information/directory/a/antibiotics

You will be prescribed antibiotics to take for a specific period of time. This can be three days or seven to 10 days. Make sure you follow the advice given to you by your doctor, dentist or nurse and in the patient information leaflet. You will need to take them at regular, specified time intervals, such as every four, six, eight or 12 hours.

You may have to follow specific instructions about exactly when to take your antibiotics. Sometimes you may need to take your antibiotics when there is no food in your stomach ? usually an hour before meals or two hours afterwards. Other antibiotics should be taken during meals.

Some antibiotics should not be taken with certain foods and drinks. You shouldn't drink any alcohol if you're taking the antibiotic metronidazole, as it can make you feel very sick. If your doctor has prescribed tetracycline antibiotics, you shouldn?t take them with milk or other dairy products as this can reduce their absorption into your bloodstream. Make sure you follow the instructions on the medicine label or patient information leaflet, and if you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

If you don't take your antibiotics according to the instructions you are given, or finish the whole course, the bacteria may become resistant to them. Always take your antibiotics as directed by your doctor and don't stop taking them early, even if your symptoms improve.

Antibiotics usually come as tablets or capsules (or syrup for children). They can also be given by injection, or applied directly to the affected part of your body such as your skin, eyes or ears as drops, lotions or ointments.