Bastard Calpol!

[affectionincoldclimate]

Yes. Bastard Calpol (and Nurofen) and the way my 5 month old fights getting any amount of it in her.

Poor mite has post immunisation fever and I need to get it in her. Last night I had Calpol in my eye from an almighty splutter, she's had it in her neck folds and all down her pyjamas - in short everywhere but her mouth! I use the syringe provided and usually administer when she's lying down.

What are your tried and tested methods of getting calpol into your baby? And which variety do you think is most palatable.

TIA!

NB. I used to use very slim 1 ml syringes when she was 8 weeks old but she was fairly compliant then and didn't move much. She's a squirmy kicky strong little thing now.

I give it to my 5 month old on a weaning spoon, she hated the syringe too! I think it's the way it hits the back of the throat.

With a syringe, push into the corner of baby's cheek and dispense a tiny amount. Then baby won't choke on it and will get used to it. Alternate sides. It will take forever but it minimises mess. My DD loves the taste of calpol now haha. Good luck x

Is it proper calpol or own brand? Mine only accepted the proper brand.

Hold her nose lightly for a second after you administer it. It stimulates the swallow reflex so she can clear her mouth to breath through her mouth instead. I have a child with ASD so am a nurofen ninja by now!

Into the cheek in no more than 2ml bursts. Wait for the gurgling cry which shows that it is going down. Another adult holding at least some of the flailing limbs is also useful.

I was always fighting a losing battle getting calpol down my DD until I bought the one that is sugar free and flavour free by mistake now it's so easy - I think the artificial strawberry flavour used to put her off

I let them hold/chew the syringe and push little bits in at a time, can take a bit longer but saved the struggles and less chance of us all ending up a sticky mess.

I give the tiniest amount at a time, takes ages but she literally can't spit it out.

Oh gosh, this brings back memories. I used to struggle to get Calpol and Children's Nurofen into DD. She used to gag on it whichever method I tried. I mentioned this to a GP who prescribed paracetamol suppositories. Yes, not the most pleasant way to administer but at least it got the medicine into her.

If your baby takes a dummy I used to syringe a little bit in the cheek then put the dummy in and repeat. Took some time but it all went in. I also used the mam airflow dummies which I could put in syringe in at the same time. He also preferred the orange flavour.

In the cheek ablittle at the time and if that wont work mix it into a small yogurt and feed her that.

Blow gently in their face, it forces a swallow reflex. A friend told me this ages back, and it works brilliantly - amusingly though, she can't remember if the pharmacist told her this, or the vet in relation to her dog 😅

I'd splutter calpol out if I was given it lying down too! Sit her up and like pps say, tiny tiny amounts in the side of the cheek.

Hope she feels better soon

Mine preferred Galpamol (which is cheaper too) but will take anything now. I think they go through phases of rebellion.

I squeeze his cheeks until I can get the syringe in then really slowly administer as close to the inside of the cheek as possible.

I get children's medication in suppository form, slip one in the bottom when changing nappies.

I used to hide it in their bottle, it was the only way I could get that or antibiotics into my ds

Keep the little syringe in their mouth so they have to swallow. I learnt this when I saw the nurse give her the immunisation that they swallow. Aim towards the cheek and a little bit at a time

Agree with syringing small amounts into the cheek (aiming towards where the back teeth would be). Bib on & baby wipe in hand to collect any dribbles.

The practice nurse taught me this and it rarely fails.

Take the lid with teat in it off of a baby bottle, put the Calpol into the teat and give it to DC to suck on like a bottle.

If bottle fed put it in their bottle. Works everytime here!

Thank you mighty Mumsnetters! So many great tips here.

A lot of people suggested the side of the cheek method and slow release. I forgot about the side cheek and I did try to get it fast to avoid holding her down for too long. False economy.

@lules - that made me laugh out loud. It's is the one and only true Calpol 😆

@cakes - genius suggestion with holding the nose. Thank you Calpol Sensei!

@ All who suggested suppositories. Great idea. I'll ask my GP next time I see her and get some

@kate and @cheeseburger - I did wonder if smuggling it in the bottle would be best as she does a bottle and boob at the moment. I'll try it for a dream feed late at night if she's still running temperature then as that's when she downs it all unquestioningly

Thanks all! Mumsnet is the best 😊

I used to put it in with the milk too.

Suppositories.

Calpol was administered successfully and with minimum resistance.

DP holding DD distracting her with chatter
Side of cheek - slow release and in crucial moments holding the nose for a split second

She downed it all like a trooper and sleeping like a proverbial baby.

If I need to top up with dream feed I'll stick it in the bottle.

Thank you all for you depending on what you fancy :)