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Original poster

Administering medication to a screaming 3YO

18 replies

UrghSchool · 12/09/2021 11:05

PLEASE share ANY easy way to administer medicine to young children.

Hes had a temp since Friday and giving him calpol has been a nightmare, I dread it. He screams and starts spitting it out. I have to hold him down which he hates, my tone is calm and I reassured him with praise and lots of kisses so he understands I'm not hurting him. It really takes it out of me.

The times when I just cant do it he goes without it and he'll be glued on to me for hours just moaning and crying.

Right now I'm sat on the sofa still in my pjs with him lying right on top of me asleep.

Help me pleaseSad

OP posts:
toughdaay · 12/09/2021 11:09

Ok, firstly what's wrong with him? Would he be ok if he didn't have calpol or is it essential? Are you using a syringe? They're much easier than a spoon and if you squirt it into the side of the cheek it's easier to get them to swallow. Could you mix it with something? I'm not sure if that's ok or not with calpol but if it is it might disguise the taste and maybe you could give it on a spoon then with something he likes

Original poster
UrghSchool · 12/09/2021 11:18

Hes had a bit of a tempreture since friday and has got worse throughout the night. I only give it when hes really bad, since friday probably about 3 times. I use the syringe and try to get it in when he screams but otherwise he just grits his teeth. He refused to eat much so cant blend it into food. I used to put it in the bottle when he was a baby till he realised.

OP posts:
GeorgeMichaelBluth · 12/09/2021 11:27

I used to bribe with a chocolate button if it was really urgent. Had to do this with about four times till she made the connection.

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Aozora13 · 12/09/2021 11:28

One of my DC is like this. She’s had febrile convulsions in the past so we can’t mess around and I have some horrible memories of forcing medicine down her.

She’s recently been quite poorly and we had a bit of a breakthrough by getting her involved in the process. Our thermometer shows diff colours depending on the temp and she knows if it’s orange or red she needs medicine so I can ask her if she needs it rather than telling her. She gets to shake the bottle herself, help put the syringe in and pull it out etc. Lots of praise and water to take the taste away. Massive palaver and a bit hit and miss but maybe feeling more in control can help? She’s just about to turn 3 so similar age to your DS.

MistyFrequencies · 12/09/2021 11:29

Suppository? When mine were still in nappies I'd do it at a nappy change and they'd not even really notice. But haven't had to do once out of nappies....

PotteringAlong · 12/09/2021 11:32

You need to do it fast. Hold him down, aim for the side of his mouth and blow on his face (stimulates the swallow reflex).

idontlikealdi · 12/09/2021 11:34

I don't know why we don't have suppositories in the uk.

Apart from that pin him down, quick and direct. There's not really another option.

Original poster
UrghSchool · 12/09/2021 11:49

@PotteringAlong
Will try blowing in his face. Seem a good technique

@GeorgeMichaelBluth
Yeh tried bribing with smarties and kinder egg wasn't having any of it

OP posts:
PotteringAlong · 12/09/2021 18:04

@UrghSchool a friend who is a vet told me to do it! Works on puppies, also seems to work on children Grin

Whenigrowupiwanttobea · 12/09/2021 18:12

Wrap him in a blanket ie swaddle him. Use a syringe and squeeze contents into side of mouth ie cheek. Sometimes being cruel to be kind is the only option. For future reference see if you can get paracetamol suppositories from GP.

Suzi888 · 12/09/2021 18:34

Strawberry or orange calpol? Mine would’ve drank the bottle if she could! Though thinking about it, only when she was older.
What about letting him do it himself? (Yes, very messy but DD did it). Pop a bib on to catch mess.

PotteringAlong · 12/09/2021 19:00

Yes! How could I have forgotten! Tesco own brand calpol tastes much nicer!

Original poster
UrghSchool · 12/09/2021 20:48

Yeh it's the strawberry calpol he doesnt like it,tried others still the same reaction.

@PotteringAlong I just tried the blowing in face technique. ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! Worked a treat, Im so chuffed with myself. He didn't have time to spit it out.

I'm eternally indebted to you Grin

OP posts:
Original poster
UrghSchool · 12/09/2021 20:51

Thanks all for brilliant suggestions.

Another thing I've picked up on mumsnet. I was sceptical once when someone said try Vicks and socks, but it actually works!

OP posts:
WetWeekends · 12/09/2021 20:56

The GP prescribed 6+ calpol for my DD when she was about 18 months. So that I only needed to give her a tiny amount. Made it a bit easier to get it in her. I also used ibuprofen suppositories from an online pharmacy. Glad the blowing in his face worked. It’s so stressful when they won’t take their meds.

PotteringAlong · 12/09/2021 21:06

@UrghSchool amazing! I’m so glad it worked. SmileFlowers

hithere5677 · 13/09/2021 22:11

If they like yoghurts, start to feed them a yoghurt on a spoon, after a few mouthfuls sneak the medicine on the spoon and feed them that, then the rest of the yoghurt. Or mix it in!

BroccoliSprout · 13/09/2021 22:23

I had to get the flavourless version and use a syringe. DS got hysterical if I squirted it in against his wishes. So I had to get him to drink it like a baby’s bottle, he sucked as I slowly pushed the syringe. He felt in control and he had a chocolate bar in his hand to eat straight afterwards.

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