OMG how the hell do I get these eye drops under DS' lids?

[Honeybee79]

Why are the simplest tasks so bloody hard (sorry, I'm knackered and this is driving me nuts). DS (5.5 months) has conjunctivitis and yesterday the doc prescribed eye drops for use 4 times a day - they have to go under the lower lid. Only I can't do it.

A joint effort between me and DH last night meant that we might have got a bit in there but I just can't do it this morning. DS just clamps his eyes shut and screams.

I don't know what to do - any tips?!

No advice but good luck, eye drops are my worst nightmare, I hate them myself, never mind giving them to DS. Really have to steel myself because he SCREAMS like he is being killed. Mind you, on holiday once we put him in the shower instead of the bath cos the bath took about an hour to run and he screamed so loud that someone knocked on the door. Anyway, good luck with the drops!

If it's the liquid then I drop them in the corner of the clenched eye and hope. If it's the more pasty stuff I squeeze it onto a clean finger and dab it in when he's not expecting it. Both methods may sound poor, but both have worked!

Do it while he sleeps. You should be able to get at least 3 of the 4 doses done during sleep times. As you get more skilful and faster at doing it, you may find you can whip them in while he's awake before he can react.

Presumably you have to keep the bottle in the fridge? He will hate the coldness of the drops, so put them in your trouser pocket for 15mins before giving them to him. To put them in his eyes, have the bottle ready in one hand, gently pull down the lower eyelid with a finger of the other hand, and drip the medicine into the pouch made by the eyelid, not onto the eye itself.

HTH.

BTW, if you are breastfeeding then drip somebreastmilk into his eyes at e ery feed. It won't bother him like the drops do, and it helps.

Thanks!

Yes, it's the liquid stuff that has to be kept in the fridge.

PrettyCandles - excellent idea, will have an attempt during his morning nap. I think half the problem is that I hesitate for just a split second and then it's too late.

It was like a scene out of Clockwork Orange last night. Hideous!

I am an optician.

Like Skiing says, if you can't get his eyes open, hold him horizontally and squeeze some into the corner of his closed eyes. Keep him flat until he opens his eyes. When he does, the drops should go in!

Good luck!

What TSG says...i lie them down on their back and drop the drops onto the (usually shut) eye and hope that some goes in when they eventually blink.

Not sure what i would do with the thicker cream like stuff...maybe ring the doc and ask for a liquid version?

Thank you thehairybabysmum!

definitely ask the doc for cream instead, it's a lot easier.