Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Children's health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

DS refuses to have medicine!

2 replies

CornishYarg · 05/09/2015 11:26

DS is almost 4 and has just had a bout of impetigo. The GP prescribed a course of antibiotics and (thank god) we've just finished the course.

But as usual it was sheer hell to get DS to take it. He screams, kicks, tries to hit the medicine out my hand, runs away etc. I've explained lots of times why he needs it, let him choose between a spoon or syringe, given his cuddly toys medicine and even tried bribing him. But it hasn't helped. So because he has to have the antibiotic, I've had to resort to holding him down which takes a lot of strength and must hurt him. Which leads to lots of tears from both of us but I just don't know what else to do. Every time, we have a chat after where I say sorry and say it would be so much easier for both of us if he complied. And every time he says he'll take it nicely next time but he doesn't.

I know that I'm just making things worse by having to force him to take it but I genuinely don't know what else to do. Please help!

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
shazzarooney99 · 05/09/2015 18:17

Once a doctor couldnt get medicine down my son, but a nurse did, theres a specail technique i never did get the hang of it, it was a case of force it down him or let him suffer

BarbarianMum · 07/09/2015 09:54

Stop apologising to him! If he needs the medicine, he needs the medicine and - at 4 - he's old enough to cooperate. I suggest that you sit him down, ask for his input in what would make taking it easier (something to take the taste away /holding his nose) and make it clear that hereafter he gets a consequence every time you need to restrain him (and lots of praise if he takes it nicely without a fuss).

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread