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Parenting

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Medicine refusal and consent - when is too old to pin them down?

43 replies

Somuchgoo · 17/07/2026 19:04

When they are toddlers we pin them down and give them medicine.

When they are teens etc, they have capacity and have to consent.

What about that middle age? So for me a 7yo?

Obviously the answer will vary based on the necessity of the medicine and the consequences of not giving it, but lets take a mid point of highly advisable, but not life threatening.

The child in question is not bribeable, understands why she needs the medicine but still won't take it.

Do you pin if persuasion doesn't work?

There is more background to this, but I'm wondering about your average (but non bribeable, not persuadable) 7yo.

OP posts:
Viviennemary · 17/07/2026 21:00

I dont think she should be pinned down at the age of 7. But all treats withdrawn till she takes it. But with your DD who has issues this might well not work. I think you need to get professional medical advice on how to deal with this.

Jellycatspyjamas · 17/07/2026 21:07

My DD has similar in that she has had a lot of medical intervention and trauma attached to that. She also has neurodevelopmental issues which impact her understanding of why medicine matters, can’t be bribed by food and has the added complication of not feeling some types of pain.

I’ve never pinned her down (she was 6 when placed with me for adoption and too old to be pinned). I did a lot of negotiating about types of medication - melts or tablets where possible, lots of pre-loading discussions eg I think the doctor will want you to take medicine so she had an idea of what’s coming and some bribery eg giving medicine while distracted by a tv show or game.

She’s older now and I can negotiate most things but that tween age was tough. I’ve been very straight with medics who clearly thought I should just hold her down for medications and procedures, it’s my job to advocate for my child.

Aabbcc1235 · 17/07/2026 21:13

With my neurotypical child by 7 she understood why she needed things like medicine/injections/doctors and whilst not always happy, was compliant by that stage.

My younger child with adhd I was still pinning down at that stage for things like injections or antibiotics. What I tended to find worked was after one pinned-down dose I talked about how much better he was getting because of the medication and that made the next dose easier.

But, beyond true toddler stage I’ve never pinned down for nice-to-have so things like plasters, coupol, cream on sore leg etc. But I do say things like “Oh your head still hurts? Yes that’s because you wouldn’t take the coupol”.

I’m not sure that I would definitely make the same decisions with a child with really regular medical involvement or serious trauma.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

newbie202020 · 17/07/2026 21:16

I would never pin my child down to take medication at any age - and my child has needed to take medicine twice a day since they were 3 so do have plenty of experience of this

WonderingAboutThus · 17/07/2026 21:23

I would bribe my seven-year-old with very enticing bribes, and I would also make it clear that it will have to happen. And yes, then I would tell them I will have to pin them down "in the same way that I have to make you wear a safety belt" and afterwards I would give them the briberies. So yes, I would not surprise them but certainly force them.

Not saying that works for you, just because you were asking what would be okay for a seven-year-old.

Neurodiversitydoctor · 17/07/2026 21:26

Somuchgoo · 17/07/2026 19:19

Today it was both of those.

The Dr seemed a bit grumpy at my reluctance to pin her down. I have my reasons...

Food is an issue on general so I dare not hide things in food because it risks losing a safe food (and has backfired spectacularly on the couple.of.times.weve tried).

I remember the yellow antibiotics from a kid. Vile stuff. Though TBF she didn't know it was disgusting, so the refusal wasn't based on that. She had a bit eventually and from her reaction it's just as grim now as we remember 🤢

Peadiatrician here honestly go for the capsules of both paracetamol and the antibiotic the volumes of liquid meds after age 5 just isn't worth it. Pratice swallowing with tic tac sweeties.

HopefulBeliever · 17/07/2026 21:26

i haven’t read all the replies to your post but just wanted to say this. I was restrained multiple times as a child for medical procedures and medication and it affects me now over 40 years later. I have been diagnosed with cPTSD and have a care plan for anything medical. I have had 8 courses of CBT and EDMR and nothing helped.
I’m not saying this will happen, but when I was 6 my mum had no idea it would lead to this, and perhaps in some people it wouldn’t lead this far.

I totally understand not wanting to hide things in foods which are considered safe. My 6 year old niece had exactly the same issues and the GP agreed to let her have tablets. She enjoyed feeling grown up taking them and it was a much less stressful experience for everyone.

Lindorballs · 17/07/2026 21:42

Sorry haven’t read the full thread so sorry if the below covers things you already have tried. My son has very bad hayfever and is very difficult about using eye drops although will take other meds. I am also a pharmacist. I don’t have any magic tricks but I would agree with not pinning down beyond the toddler years and with building trust. Self administration can help - gives them a sense of control if they can do it for themselves. There are YouTube videos with techniques for teaching young children to take tablets if they prefer. Alternative administration routes eg paracetamol suppositories instead of tablets. Adding flavouring to conceal unpleasant taste (eg a drop of vanilla extract). Negotiating a compromise on frequency/compliance depending on the medication - again you can build on this once they get used to it. Bribery - a small cash incentive or daily button jar converted to a prize after a period of time. Openly adding to food - eg suspending a capsule in jelly or letting her mix it in and promising you won’t do it secretly - I agree with not doing it secretly especially if food issues. Showing her how you take medication and making a big deal about how it’s helped you. If she’s got medical trauma and is likely to need long term meds then you need to play the long game. Persistence is important so she knows you’re not giving up on this. And frequently reminding her why it’s important and the downsides of not doing so. Great ormond street hospital pharmacy department also has some leaflets and tips about administering certain meds on its website. Eg letting them close their eyes then quickly open them while giving eye drops. I have tried all of the above on my own kids or suggested to patients. Most successful with my son is extreme patience and persistence. Do not try and get her take them when you’re in a hurry or under pressure so you don’t get upset and stressed yourself about it. Sometimes it’s taken me 40 mins to get him to put one eye drop in one eye.

BertieBotts · 17/07/2026 21:43

Yes, apologies for crossposting/assuming with the ND comment. My experience is ND (DS2 is ADHD probably AuDHD - also massively struggles with anything unexpected) but medical trauma could completely understandably cause its own set of issues. Lack of hunger is not unfamiliar at all here! It is common in children with sensory processing differences, as it is related to the sense of interoception. Kelly Mahler has done a lot of research on this.

I think autonomy is important for every child, but especially important for any child who struggles in any way or who may be seen by the world in general as less capable, and particularly if they genuinely are less capable, because that means that there are highly likely to be more situations where there is no option for them to retain autonomy, which makes it all the more important to protect it where it is possible. I actually think autonomy in medical care is huge, I have a whole thing about it which would take too long to write, but from what you've written, I think you already understand this very well. I absolutely would not force in the situation you describe, but I would try to keep the conversation open, and be keeping a very close eye on whether symptoms are increasing vs improving. Maybe after she is better, it would be something to bear in mind in case medicine is needed at any point in the future so that you have some things on hand to try and it won't be as unexpected.

If you think about the way that (generally good, non abusive) parents tend to use force, or even the milder coercion (bribery, emotional manipulation, threat of punishment) for things like medical care, it is a rare event and as you said, when it is felt to be absolutely necessary. For the vast majority of children that is a tiny blip in their life. They can easily recover the relationship and trust with their parents because the balance is tipped heavily towards safer, kinder, more compassionate interactions and the "cruel to be kind" moments are few and far between and even a child can understand that in context. When you have a child who has a lot more need to endure things which are absolutely necessary, you can't resort to force or coercion for all of it. You just can't because it would not be possible to balance it out, it would be more cruel than kind. But medics (and sometimes teachers) do not always take this into account. They see that parents can force children when something is necessary, and they assume that is a reasonable course of action. It absolutely is, sometimes, but when you're dealing with a more complicated situation then you need a lot more tools up your sleeve which lean towards the kind side than the cruel one. Because you need to save the cruel to be kind moments for when they are absolutely necessary, which is a different threshold to where most parents would be able to draw that line.

The FB post I linked is a fantastic page by an occupational therapist. The whole ethos of OT is about finding ways for patients to do things they need/want to do in a way which works for them with their current abilities, which I think is fantastic. I follow a few different OTs for this kind of thing (Greg Santucci is another good one). TOPT though who I linked to is especially good for autonomy related posts and figuring out communication and paths through where the "standard" or "obvious" solutions don't work.

The Ross Greene method comes from his books, you might find them useful if you have not read them before. The Explosive Child is the most well known one and is aimed at parents with behaviourally challenging children, it could be the most applicable for your situation. There are also various online resources, I like the talks he has done online or on podcasts etc. He is all about using curiosity to find out what is making it hard for a child to do something because often when you find out what is in the way, it is easier to find a way around it which is genuinely sustainable and works for both of you.

Linda K Murphy and her books and website are also brilliant.

Somuchgoo · 17/07/2026 21:44

HopefulBeliever · 17/07/2026 21:26

i haven’t read all the replies to your post but just wanted to say this. I was restrained multiple times as a child for medical procedures and medication and it affects me now over 40 years later. I have been diagnosed with cPTSD and have a care plan for anything medical. I have had 8 courses of CBT and EDMR and nothing helped.
I’m not saying this will happen, but when I was 6 my mum had no idea it would lead to this, and perhaps in some people it wouldn’t lead this far.

I totally understand not wanting to hide things in foods which are considered safe. My 6 year old niece had exactly the same issues and the GP agreed to let her have tablets. She enjoyed feeling grown up taking them and it was a much less stressful experience for everyone.

Edited

I'm really sorry for your experience, and being honest, that's what I'm afraid of.

I want to be her safe person, who has her back if she says something's not okay. It's not a luxury I always can give her, but I want to know that I try my best, and if I am being forceful it's because there really is no alternative.

When she's feeling better tablet training will start with some urgency!!

OP posts:
Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 17/07/2026 21:55

My DNephew had to have this with liquid antibiotics. I can’t remember if he had ice cream or juice afterwards. Yes I know you’re not supposed to do that but he brushed his teeth afterwards. The antibiotics were for a tooth infection, then when he went to the dentist to have the work he was so freaked out it couldn’t be done then. So taking the liquid antibiotics was a waste of time.

OriginalSkang · 17/07/2026 21:56

I only once tried pinning my DD, when she was three or four and wouldn't take antibiotics that she really needed to take. She clenched her teeth shut and so none would go in anyway and she was so upset she threw up. I never tried it again! The GP gave her the less disgusting yellow one when I told them

MissMoneyFairy · 17/07/2026 22:02

Somuchgoo · 17/07/2026 21:44

I'm really sorry for your experience, and being honest, that's what I'm afraid of.

I want to be her safe person, who has her back if she says something's not okay. It's not a luxury I always can give her, but I want to know that I try my best, and if I am being forceful it's because there really is no alternative.

When she's feeling better tablet training will start with some urgency!!

What antibiotics are they, amoxyl comes in chewies or dispersable which can be added to juice

Pinkfluffyunicornsdancingonrainbows28 · 17/07/2026 22:06

I'm a medical mum. I would pin down a 5 year old for antibiotics but not for pain relief. My 13 year old was in hospital last year and was refusing calpol. I pushed for iv pain relief then which the nurses and drs were reluctant to do but it worked brilliantly. Unfortunately that isn't an option at home but I have gone back to the gp and asked for a different flavour of antibiotics before now as some of them are vile. Thankfully he will take tablets most of the time now.

Theunamedcat · 17/07/2026 22:08

I have neurodivergent children so not "normal" i gave ds a choice take the medication or get sicker end up in hospital and they would give it through a drip i explained what a drip was he took the medication as soon as he could take pills he took them the liquid is nasty

Somuchgoo · 17/07/2026 22:18

Thank you everyone.

To be honest I find stuff aimed at neuro diverse children quite helpful, because there's a lot of crossover with her.

I'll mull on this further over once I've had more than 3 hours sleep in 24.

We have a psychologist on board so it might be (yet another) issue to raise!

I think I need to sleep now.

OP posts:
whoateallthecookies · 17/07/2026 22:51

You have my sympathy. When I did manage to pin DD down (as a toddler) and get calpol in, she vomited, so it wasn't very successful. She's a teen now, and, remarkably, has never needed antibiotics, so I haven't had to try with those.

DD eats a seriously restricted diet (though otherwise NT), but, to my surprise, has managed much better than I expected with tablets. So they are definitely worth a try. We started with mini smarties, because they tasted acceptable to DD if she bit them (a tic tac would not have been a win). Paracetamol tablets (for adults) are quite big, but it's possible there are smaller ones for children?

I hope you find a solution soon.

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