Advice on Giving 18 month old Lactulose

[CervantDad]

Hi everyone,

45 year old dad to two daughters, (18 months, 3 years). 18 month old was badly constipated, and after increasing fruit & veg, water, prunes etc, went to the GP and got lactulose, which has been effective.

The only issue is that she absolutely hates taking it, and it's become a battleground, and a rather sticky one at that. As we'll be doing this twice a day for quite a while, I'd really prefer it to be less tricky!

All advice gratefully received.

PS - this is my first thread on MN, so hoping I set it all out OK.

Add it to porridge, yoghurts, wheatabix, pureed fruit etc (anything that is suppose to be slightly sweet) to disguise it.
If you don't want to disguise it syringe to side at back of mouth so it's harder for spitting out.

I second adding it to yoghurt. It's very sweet and no bad or overpowering taste so can't imagine they'd notice it in yoghurt. It'll just be that bit sweeter - rarely a complaint from a toddler in my experience😅 Good luck!

Use a calpol syringe, a little bit at a time into the side of her cheek rather than onto her tongue, and lean her back slightly (but not fully laid down) when giving it. Lots of cuddles and praise and give something she likes after eg strawberries or yogurt or milk. Tell her during that she can have the treat she likes after too.

It actually tastes quite nice/sweet so it's not as bad as something like antibiotics, so hopefully she'll get used to it over time if it's a longer term thing.