Any tips for giving eye drops to a toddler?

[sagitta]

Hi,
DD (2.3) has conjunctivitis. I have to give her eye drops four times a day. It's worse than worming a cat. Anyone got any top tips for getting her to sit still, eyes open etc?

My best tip as a GP-giving eyedrops to a child is a 2 person job! You can't do it by yourself!babies now, you can by tucking the head under your elbow...like this!But a todler is too big and wriggly-good luck!
Ps you can get eyedrops that are only twice a day for conjunctivitis!

go back to the GP say it is impossible and ask for Fucitahalmic it is more of a cream than an eyedrop, so easier to apply but also only needs to be applied twice a day.
If your GP is worth his/her salt you whould be able to do this all over the phone and get them to fax the presciption to the pharmacy. It is Friday after all - beg plead etc.
Good luck

I always hated having to do this, but my technique, although looked horrendous, was actually quite effective. I used to pin DD to the floor with me knees either side of her, so I was practically sitting on her (but not iyswim) then lean over her with my arms gripping her head still whilst at the same time trying to prise her eyes open. Very tricky business unfortunately but did work.

Now if DD gets it, I don't have to pin her down so much but I do have to hold her arms. I tend to drop the stuff onto her eyes, even if they are closed because she tends to open them if she gets water or anything on them

Fucithalmic

I didn't know there was special creamy stuff and Dh is rarely ever here to help so I had to do it by myself

I echo what auntieem says, and will add that the cream doesn't need to be kept in the fridge, so it's less hassle too.
If you squirt some out of the tube and leave it hanging from the spout, you can just "dab" it into your DD's eye. Hope that makes sense.

Thanks neverenough sorry can't type!!

LOL, Lazylou - how did your DD feel about that?
Autieem - can you buy the cream over the counter?
Neverenough - luckily its the weekend, so I will have help...should have asked for two-a-day drops. Will it matter if she doesn't get full amount?

I've just checked the British National Formulary site and it is prescription only I'm afraid. I would still recommed it tho' so put on your battle armour and get through the GP receptionist!

Neverenough - does it do exactly the same thing?

Thanks Autieem!

Lie her down and sit astride her (gently obviously!). Make sure you take the drops out of fridge for a bit before putting in so they can warm up a bit. Bizarre, but my kids like having eye drops in .

Yes it is a different antibiotic from chloramphenicol which I am guessing is the one that was prescribed, but will do as good a job.
It is not ideal to miss a dose sagitta, but it will probably be okay-you can always give an extra day if need be-I always prescribe it for 3-5 days. Tell the receptionist/GP there is no one to help you.I'm sure you won't have a problem.
Auntieem, sorry re spelling correction-partly so sagitta knows what to ask for and partly cos I am anal and pedantic!

No apology needed - nurse with milk brain and I stopped bfing over two years ago!

Thanks neverenough.
my weapons were not strong enough for the receptionist's armour, so we're stuck with the 4-a-day drops. Will enlist help and sit on DD...

Should be a fun weekend!

Thanks for all your help.

She hated it, obviously but needs must as they say. And although it wasn't a very nice experience for either of us, it soon made her better so I figured that in the long term I was doing her a favour by relieving the symptoms and claerning it up

a recent tip from an ophthalmologist for getting eye drops administered to my 15 month old - if you put sufficient drops onto the eyelashes of a close eye, when the eye is opened, the drops will wash in - still requires immobilisation of the patient, but is less difficult than also having to prise their eye open. good luck.

Eyedrops are far more tolerable for the patient if they are warm. Put the bottle in your front trouser pocket for at least 20m before you intend to dose her so that the liquid is almot at body temperature. You'll probably still have to pin her down, but it might not be quite so bad.

I also do the kneeling astride bit, with my knees on either side of the LOs head, their arms pinned out to the sides by my ankles (but no pressure on the arms) and my feet pressign against their sides to stop them rolling. (Sounds awful!) Then I put several drops into the hollow on the inside edge of the eye, sort of upper eyelid to bridge of nose area. Then I either wait for them to blink, or gently stroke the upper eyelid upwards with the side of my thumb. Some of the drops end up in the child's eye, even though most rolls out all over their face. Make sure to wipe it off - it tastes vile!

If they're old enough to understand, I promise them a bribe beforehand, show it to them, then do the deed and give them the bribe and a cuddle as soon as poss afterwards.

Thanks all.

my gp said to put them into the little well, at the corner of the ey, when the eye is shut, then when they open their eyes it will run in.

You stil have to hold them down tho !!