Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Parenting

For free parenting resources please check out the Early Years Alliance's Family Corner.

Flip

1 2 3 4

Original poster

How to get 2 year old to take tablets

89 replies

jadedinsomniac · 09/12/2022 16:35

So 2 year old has scarlet fever. There are no liquid antibiotics in my area and it could be another 4 days but that's not even a guarantee so they've given us tablets
Not allowed to crush them
I've got to stick them on her tongue and give her a drink. All she does is gag and spit them out.
I'm sorta at a loss really
Any suggestions?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

PettyAndIKnowIt · 09/12/2022 16:38

Can you put them into a spoonful of yogurt? It makes it much easier to swallow.

AnotherAppleThief · 09/12/2022 16:41

Spoonful of honey?

MrsVeryTired · 09/12/2022 16:43

Have you asked the pharmacist if you can crush them or just the GP? Just in case, as GP will err on cautious side, pharmacist will know for sure.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

2 year olds Behaviour & development Children's health Families

bossybloss · 09/12/2022 16:44

How about Nutella . ...x

bossybloss · 09/12/2022 16:45

And then a milk shake !

Katrinawaves · 09/12/2022 16:47

Chocolate button, slip tablet into mouth after the choc button so she swallows both together. Follow up with second button as a reward.

Newuser82 · 09/12/2022 16:47

Goodness that must be really difficult!! Maybe could you break it up and put a little bit in a bit of chocolate?

Original poster

jadedinsomniac · 09/12/2022 16:48

I'm going to ring the pharmacy. The GP was apologetic about there being no liquid medication. I get it but it still sucks

I'm gonna try a spoon of Nutella because her love for chocolate might outweigh the hatred of the tablet. I've got to do this 4 times a day for 10 days. We are going to need a lot of Nutella if it works

She's too young to understand why I'm doing it. She just knows she feels crappy and mummy doing this isn't helping.

On a side note Scarlet fever sucks

OP posts:

PettyAndIKnowIt · 09/12/2022 16:49

I'll keep my fingers crossed that the Nutella works. I hope that she feels better soon.

Clymene · 09/12/2022 16:50

If the tablet is enteric coated, you shouldn't crush them.

prescribingmum · 09/12/2022 17:07

I’m afraid phenoxymethylpenicillin tablets cannot be crushed (and I am assuming this is what you’ve been given)

Whilst I appreciate there is a shortage, giving this antibiotic as tablets for a 2 year old isn’t appropriate. 3 is the youngest that you can reliably expect to swallow tablets and that’s usually successful in those with chronic conditions who sadly are conditioned to taking medication.

Other antibiotic tablets can be crushed and one of those is a much more suitable option - I would recommend asking GP for an alternative

Original poster

jadedinsomniac · 09/12/2022 17:18

@prescribingmum you are correct. That is what she has. She's 2 years and 3 months. The doctor said if she can drink from a normal cup she can take tablets. But honestly shes hating it. And it's only day 1 and I've lost 2 tablets thru trying. She didn't like the Nutella idea but not sure whether she's just avoiding me

OP posts:

RudolphTheGreat · 09/12/2022 17:35

I would have thought tablets for a two year old would be a choking hazard. Good luck op!

prescribingmum · 09/12/2022 18:05

I would get in touch with GP (if you have any sort of out of hours access) or pharmacy/111 and try get an alternative.

I’m not sure how experienced GP is with paediatrics but it’s idealistic to think a child that young could understand and follow the instructions just because they can drink. I’ve never managed to teach younger than 3 at a children’s hospital and like I said, that’s children with long term conditions, not otherwise healthy children

WishingWell5 · 09/12/2022 19:19

Get a really chocolatey ice cream, stir it up so it's melted a bit, and stir the powder in.

WishingWell5 · 09/12/2022 19:20

Obviously with a tablet that can be crushed! Just read the response!

Boomboom22 · 09/12/2022 19:22

I'd go back, I as an adult cannot swallow a pill so no way would I try and make a 2yr old. The boxes always say 12+. They must at least provide a crushable one. Plus massive choking hazard!!

Montague22 · 09/12/2022 19:24

I wonder if it would be okay to chop into 1/2 or 1/3s?

MisgenderedSwan · 09/12/2022 19:25

My ds had to take tablets when he was 2 for a similar reason. I used snuggle him up in a blanket with his hands by his side sitting on my knee and make a game of feeding little snacks like a baby bird. After a couple, slip the tablet in with a tiny snack so she swallows expecting the snack. Then another treat asap!

Clymene · 09/12/2022 19:32

Montague22 · 09/12/2022 19:24

I wonder if it would be okay to chop into 1/2 or 1/3s?

No. You cannot cut it up in any way.

Either the OP's daughter swallows the pills whole or not at all.

The4Seasons · 09/12/2022 19:32

Would the tablet fit in a raspberry? My slightly older DS has to take a daily small tablet and that's how we get it in to him.

flomp · 09/12/2022 19:35

You can crush the penicillin- there’s specialist advice been put out because of the current shortages.

www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/using-solid-oral-dosage-form-antibiotics-in-children/

Montague22 · 09/12/2022 19:37

Thanks @Clymene

In that case I think you may struggle. I would google 'play therapy' and 'taking/swallowing tablets' for suggestions.
Some ideas here:
www.cclg.org.uk/CSOIR/Taking-tablets-and-medicines

BuffaloCauliflower · 09/12/2022 19:37

Gosh that’s no fun, I have a child the same age and that’s a hard ask.

Its generally easier to take tablets with a drink from a bottle rather than a cup as you tend to tip your head back more. My DC tends to find drinks from mummy bottle more exciting than his own, could you try a grown up bottle of a nice drink to take it with? That’s what I’d try. But I’d also be asking them to contact other pharmacies for a liquid as a pill really isn’t sensible for a child this age. Good luck and hope they’re better soon.

WiseUpJanetWeiss · 09/12/2022 19:38

Phenoxymethypenicillin tablets can be crushed but not by anyone with a penicillin allergy. See here. The advice is for healthcare professionals but is easy enough to understand.

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/using-solid-oral-dosage-form-antibiotics-in-children/

They are film coated, not enteric coated. This is not the same thing.

If in doubt ask a pharmacist.

Flip

1 2 3 4

Swipe left for the next trending thread