Tips for getting disgusting tasting antibiotics into a toddler?

[Margo34]

18m old has a throat infection and been prescribed penicillin for their "impressively red!" and inflamed throat.

First 3 doses given has required 2 people, one holding little one while the other syringes it in,.even with little one half asleep or lethargy with illness! It's a complete wrestle and I really don't like doing it against the protests and tears.

Is there a better way? It needs to be given 4 times a day on an empty stomach for 5 days and I'll be doing it alone today while DH is at work! I can't model trying a little myself because I'm allergic.

Help!

Shoot the syringe to the back of the throat from the side of the mouth. Wrap in a big towel if necessary. It needs to be given so you need to find a way.

I'm not averse to holding a chocolate button in front of their faces as bribery/ distraction.

It's a complete wrestle and I really don't like doing it against the protests and tears

Just do it, not too much chat about it, as fast as you can.

I wrap a towel round mine which helps catch drips as well as holds arms down, wedge syringe down side of cheek and then blow on his face to make him swallow.

DS is on 3 a day antibiotics at the moment and I absolutely feel your pain. Ours is bright yellow and stains everything just to add to the difficulty.

We bribed our 2 year old Set up a sticker chart and she got a paw patrol squishy at the end of each day if she took her medicine. It was banana flavoured penicillin. I did see somewhere that there are other flavours...

The sweetness of chocolate balances out the bitterness of the medicine, so I give a tiny bit of chocolate first, then a spoon of medicine, then another small bit of chocolate. This works for my 2 year old (although the first dose using this technique took a lot of persuasion, it got easier and easier!)

@Bornsloppy

I wrap a towel round mine which helps catch drips as well as holds arms down, wedge syringe down side of cheek and then blow on his face to make him swallow.

DS is on 3 a day antibiotics at the moment and I absolutely feel your pain. Ours is bright yellow and stains everything just to add to the difficulty.

Wrapping in a towel is a good idea, I'll give it a go next dose! I'm finding it hard to wedge syringe into cheek, little one flails so much and clamps mouth (and teeth) firmly shut.

Ours is bright pink and also stains, too!

@lillyrabbit

The sweetness of chocolate balances out the bitterness of the medicine, so I give a tiny bit of chocolate first, then a spoon of medicine, then another small bit of chocolate. This works for my 2 year old (although the first dose using this technique took a lot of persuasion, it got easier and easier!)

According to our bottle there is quite a lot of sucrose in the medicine so I'm not sure whether ours is be bitter and I can't taste it to double check!

I'll try chocolate buttons to help though, thanks.

Some success with the towel and blowing on little ones face, finished off with half a biscuit to bribe and mask the taste.

Thanks 👍

Ice cream!!
Mix it in, always worked a treat with mine, and absolutely no upset!

@Margo34

18m old has a throat infection and been prescribed penicillin for their "impressively red!" and inflamed throat.

First 3 doses given has required 2 people, one holding little one while the other syringes it in,.even with little one half asleep or lethargy with illness! It's a complete wrestle and I really don't like doing it against the protests and tears.

Is there a better way? It needs to be given 4 times a day on an empty stomach for 5 days and I'll be doing it alone today while DH is at work! I can't model trying a little myself because I'm allergic.

Help!

When my LO need medicine and wouldn't take it, I'd put some yoghurt on a spoon (or something your LO loves) and feed him. After a few spoonfuls I'd replace with the medicine and quickly feed without him realising then follow straight up with more yoghurt so they keep it in