Help!! Any tips on getting antibiotic eye drops in a screaming, wriggling 2 yo with conjunctivitis?

[fettle]

DS had really bad conjunctivitis on Monday - I got some eyedrops from the the GP and managed to get the first couple of doses in. His eyes were much improved yesterday and look totally better last night, but I've been having more and more difficulty getting the drops in and then this afternoon I noticed that his eyes are gumming up again.

My husband is away, so I only have the possible help of 5yo DD morning and night and am alone for the other 2 doses during the day.

I just don't have enough hands and arms to keep him down, keep his arms away and prise open his eyes long enough to drop anything anywhere near his eyes.

Anyone, got any wonder tips?

I've tried looking for stars, spiders, helicopters (you name it, on the ceiling), looking at a photo on the wall of Daddy (he runs the sofa when I mention eye drops to lie down and look at Daddy, but screams as soon as I get there and take the lid off the bottle.

I'm at my wits ends....

Large bath towel, roll him up like a sausage roll, arms inside IYSWIM. Then make sure the end is underneath him. Scoot up to the head end so that his head is clamped between your knees, you should be able to get the drops in. Follow with big cuddle and suitable sugar laden treat. You actually have to pull down the lower lid with one hand and squeeze the drops in with the other.

Do it when he's asleep. Might wake him up briefly but it is a lot easier.

Position yourself behind his head. Get someone else to hold him still if possible. That bath towel idea is brilliant!

Thanks guys!

Had a pretty yukky day today for other reasons and the eye drops finished me off this evening after bath.

3littlefrogs - will definitely be trying your option of towel strait-jacket - could probably make that bit at least into a game!

Will consider the sleep option too - although not sure I fancy waking myself to do it - sleep is the only think keeping me going at the moment!

Thanks again.

I care for a child with sen and have to do drops on a regular basis. I can second the bath towel! It truely is the only way! I look like i'm sitting on the child - but ob not putting my weight on, tis the only way i've found without using very stressful restraint methods.

ask for the ointment and put it along lid line when he is asleep

My CM showed me how to do this - osit on the floor with your legs splayed. Put the child on their back on the floor, with their head up at your crotch. Use your thighs to hold the child's arms out the way and keep them facing upwards. Get the eye drops in as fast as possible. It ounds cruel, but it gets it done as fast as possible.

Mind you, the bath towel idea sounds pretty good too!

alypaly's said what I was thinking

Was considering asking for ointment if I still have no luck tomorrow. He goes to nursery tomorrow so wonder if they have any luck!

Thanks again all.

Don't send him to nursery with conjunctivitis. I'd be really miffed if my dd came home with something so contagious and avoidable.

I am sure you are not allowed to send them to nursery with conjunctivitis.

You are allowed to send them if they are receiving treatment. He had to come home as soon as they noticed it on Monday - I wouldn't have sent him in had I known he had it, without treating it. And I also wouldn't send him if his eyes were still gummy, but there were clear as a bell again this morning. But you need to keep taking the treatment for 48 hours after the eyes have cleared.

Anyway, let's face it, he'll have caught it from there in the first place though!