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Parenting

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Original poster

Toddler won’t take meds

33 replies

Wonttakethemeds · 15/10/2025 14:08

I know, I know! A tale as old as time.

With my eldest, syringe in the cheek worked when he refused. This 22 month old of mine he another story, he manages to get most of it out.

What’s the absolute best way to do it? He refuses it in juice and spoons too.

he’s got hand foot and mouth which has resulted in some impetigo, and an ear infection. The GP said if he doesn’t take them, to go to A&E.

I’ve just tried to give him a dose and he has none of it, maybe 1 or 2ml. It’s Clarithroymycin, apparently vile stuff, twice a day, but the alternative was a 4 dose per day course which they thought would be worse given his refusal.

Help!

OP posts:

surreygirly · 16/10/2025 13:28

Goldfsh · 15/10/2025 15:21

I went for the full-on assault with mine. Laid on their back, between my knees, syringe in cheek and held their nose until they swallowed it. Basically the same approach as the cat.

I apologised and explained in advance, and then apologised afterwards, but was matter-of-fact about it. It was better than hospital admissions.

same

skkyelark · 16/10/2025 15:47

Small piece of chocolate before the medicine to coat the mouth, be standing there ready with the syringe, get it in as quick as possible once they've swallowed the chocolate, then another small piece of chocolate afterwards. Game-changer for us with some really bitter medicine.

Laalaalala · 17/10/2025 21:57

Going through the exact same thing with my 2.5 year old

fluxacilion or whatever it is called and it tastes awful!! Bridery doesn’t work and it tastes so bad I have found nothing to disguise it in. We’re having to pin him down but he is spitting it out. I’m blowing in his face to try shock him to swallow it but no luck. Always does the same with Calpol etc.

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1 year olds Children's health Families General health

SchoolDilemma17 · 17/10/2025 22:00

Goldfsh · 15/10/2025 15:21

I went for the full-on assault with mine. Laid on their back, between my knees, syringe in cheek and held their nose until they swallowed it. Basically the same approach as the cat.

I apologised and explained in advance, and then apologised afterwards, but was matter-of-fact about it. It was better than hospital admissions.

This. With my first, we needed two adults to make sure she swallowed antibiotics. It’s was a drama and nightmare and I felt like torture. But it was for her own good and she doesn’t have a trauma from it. She didn’t even want Calpol!

child 2 is the exact opposite and happily takes everything.

LondonLady1980 · 18/10/2025 08:25

The bigger the volume, the easier it is for them to spit it out.

Instead of giving it to him all in one dose, give him 0.5-1ml every 5 minutes, down the side of the cheek and as far back in his mouth as you can get it.

Original poster

Wonttakethemeds · 19/10/2025 13:12

LondonLady1980 · 18/10/2025 08:25

The bigger the volume, the easier it is for them to spit it out.

Instead of giving it to him all in one dose, give him 0.5-1ml every 5 minutes, down the side of the cheek and as far back in his mouth as you can get it.

Well we are on day 4 of a 5 day course and I think we’ve mastered it 😂

It does still take two of us. Me to hold him and repeat praise, whilst his dad uses the method in this video to give him 0.25ml at a time using a 1ml syringe. The total dose is 5ml so it takes longer than I’d like but it’s the only way it goes down and since we got it right he doesn’t seem to taste it as much as he’s pretty much over it as soon as I let him go.

We find the thing that makes him happiest is holding a whole pack of yogurt lollies which he is free to devour after each dose. 😆

here’s the video that really helped! He is obviously still really furious and upset during but nowhere near the beginning when we weren’t doing it this way.

OP posts:

PevenseygirlQQ · 19/10/2025 13:16

I have the same problem with mine, we have to put it in tiny amounts at a time which takes much longer than if they just bloody done it in one go and prolongs the carnage!

We ended up getting the antibiotic changed to a better tasting one that needed a lower dose and again had to administer very slowly

Tralalalama · 19/10/2025 13:19

Goldfsh · 15/10/2025 15:21

I went for the full-on assault with mine. Laid on their back, between my knees, syringe in cheek and held their nose until they swallowed it. Basically the same approach as the cat.

I apologised and explained in advance, and then apologised afterwards, but was matter-of-fact about it. It was better than hospital admissions.

This.

fold their arms in front of their chest and then force them to take the meds. Same as I did for a short while with vaccinations or teeth brushing.

sometimes you gotta be cruel to be kind. Getting more ill is worse IMO

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