Top tips for stealth administration of medicines needed please... at wit's end

[broguemum]

DS is 1 yo. He is a v. poorly lad at the moment - pneumonia - and getting him to take his antibiotics is NOT EASY. I think I've managed to get only half the amount he's supposed to take down his throat. Can I have your top tips for stealth administration of liquid antibiotics?

He's just woken up so apologies in advance for not acknowledging any replies. TIA.

You've probably tried it but what about the syringe that comes with Nurofen for children?

I remember this problem when ds was first diagnosed with cf he refused point blank to take any of his meds. Have you tried the 'here comes the train' sort of game getting him to open up for the tunnel?

If you do manage to get it in his mouth squrt it from a syringe into the side of his mouth at his cheek they find it alot harder to spit out if you do that and if he starts crying there is alot lest risk of him choking on it.

I remember mixing the dose into fruity yoghurt, freshly squeezed orange juice and even chocolate krispies. By the time DS started to become suspicious, I'd got pretty much the whole dose into him!!

In his milk?

Thanks for the tips. I have resorted to chocolate spread. Yoghurt was spat out, weetabix rejected (now decorating my fleece) and milk tipped onto floor. Will try rice krispies later as I feel he is getting savvy to the chocolate. Why can't they manufacture a nice tasting antibiotic? Why?

The banana flavoured antibiotic is the only medicine I can get my DS to take off a spoon. I'm afraid I have resorted to grabbing him from behind and tipping it into his mouth which is what I do with the cat but at least it gets it in.

Otherwise I just put it in his milk.

Have resorted to a syringe squirted into side of mouth (thanks for the tip Hensmum and Charlee). It's like worming a horse. He is very angry with me during and just after but seems to forget soon enough.

Glad it worked! Poor little boy, I hope he recovers soon.

I always find a couple of smarties in view whilst medicine being administered and then given once medicine has been swallowed works well - it's not bribery, it's a reward for good behaviour Of course feel free to substitute chocolate buttons, jelly babies or even grapes - whatever works with your LO!

I just used to grit my teeth and grapple - hold them on your knee, arm around head, leaning back and a quick squirt - hold them back until it's all gone down.

Much tears and guilt subsequently, but weigh up the situation - recovery from pneumonia or the alternative?

He does seem to be getting better but I reckon he's getting only around 2/3rds of the dose he is supposed to get. I don't think the smartie trick will work on him - he just doesn't "get" delayed gratification. However, I will try it!

So that's the antibiotics, now trying to get the ventilin done is another story. I reckon he has a fantastic career ahead of him as a wrestler. For the next dose I will swaddle him.

Thanks again for all your tips.

You don't say how old he is but try decorating the ventilator with thomas or bob stickers

sorry just reread your msg - try nightgarden teletubby stickers.

Mrs Freedy - what a fab idea. I will try that. He's a lot better today - we went back to the Doctor who said that his lungs were nearly clear.

place him on your knee put your arm around him so that you are holding his arm against his body , his other arm should be out of the way around your back hold on for dear life whilst using syringe in other hand to give him the medicine slowly into side of mouth.

i have to do this with ds he is 3 been doing this since he was 8 months its a bugger!!