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Children's health

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Original poster

A nurse tried to give my DS a syringe of medicine whilst he was laid on his back, isn't this dangerous?

9 replies

LonelyLinda · 05/04/2012 16:10

I'd always been told or led to believe that it is dangerous to administer medicine whilst a child is laid on their back for fear of it going into their lungs or choking etc.

Can anyone give me any more information on this please?

OP posts:
RunningOutOfIdeas · 05/04/2012 16:11

How old is your DS? When DD was 8 months old, she was having medicine every 2 hours in hospital. She was always on her back for it. The nurse very carefully syringed the medicine into DD's cheek.

freeforall · 05/04/2012 16:12

How old is DS? I don't have a proper answer, but I wouldn't have thought it was that different to giving them a bottle when laid back.

moojie · 05/04/2012 16:14

Nope this is fine. I'm a children's nurse and it's much easier to give it lying down. Gravity helps! We are taught to 'squirt' it into their gums as it runs down the side and is swallowed normally. Hope this helps.

strawberrypenguin · 05/04/2012 16:15

Seconding what running said, as long as its one right it's fine I think, my baby DS has had medication administered in the same way. Might depend on how old your DS is though.

strawberrypenguin · 05/04/2012 16:16

Lots of x posts there!

Original poster
LonelyLinda · 05/04/2012 17:01

Hi sorry, should have said, DS is 3yo.

OP posts:
Sirzy · 05/04/2012 17:26

Ds has been in and out of hospital since he was 8 weeks old and 90% of the time medicine has been administered while lying down without a problem other than him fighting it's a much easier way with him!

moojie · 06/04/2012 08:19

Just wanted to add that if something happens again you are not sure about please just ask the nurse. Sometimes we do things just like we do them hundreds of times a day without realising it might be something new and worrying for the parent. I'm always happy to explain why I'm doing something and what I'm doing and anyone who isn't clearly isn't sure why they are doing it!

Original poster
LonelyLinda · 09/04/2012 18:03

Thank you, and sorry for the delay, I already have a complaint regarding the care received and In the past had been told by my health visitor never to give medicine whilst the child is laying down so I did wonder about this - she was advising an inexperienced new mum, not a trained nurse of course.

Thanks for reassuring me that this was alright.

OP posts:
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