Advice or Suggestion to Give Medicine to My 2 Yr .and 10 Mo. Old Little Boy

Hi, Alejandra. We've also D. what Sarah D and Jennifer W did with the whole holding the kid betweent the legs. It works well when they are younger and they seem to fight. When they get a little older and fight then it may take two to help even in that position, but they know what's coming and they can't weasle out of it.

I feel for you. We had my daughter in the hospital once after she kept throwing up (she was about 3) and we had to keep reminding her to eat and drink or she would have to go back and get that needle stuck in her because she would get dehydrated. She would cry and be so scared. It was aweful. Hang in there!

Melanie

When my two year old doesn't want to take his medicine, I ask him if he wants to do it and he'll do it. He'll hold the syringe in his mouth and then I push it in. It's worked because he thinks he has more control....maybe that's worth a try. Good luck!!! I hope it helps!

Alejandra,

I feel for you completley. We went through this with my 2nd daughter when had constant ear infections for 6 months. She use to take the medicine so good but she got tired of it all. We tried the drinks too but she would never finish even half so she wouldn't get her full dose.

I finally had to take her into the dr's office so they could see what I was going through. It was horrible but we'd literally have to sit on her and hold her down. Then pinch her cheeks together and put the syringe as far back in her mouth. Don't let go of his cheeks until he swallows it. He'll be forced to swallow eventually. It wasn't easy but it's the only thing that got most of it down. She would still manage to spit some of it out. But at least she'd get most of it.

Aww poor kiddo, and poor you! Nothing worse that a sick or hurt child.
Something to try, to help him get over the "trauma" of the hospital and getting the medicine in him...
Get the syringe and put some water in it and show him how YOU drink from it. Then let him give a little water in it to one of his stuffed animals or dolls. You can even let him give some water or juice as "medicine" to you. Then put some of his favorite juice in it, and let HIM drink from it. Go back and forth, and let him see that it's ok. When he's comfortable with that, try putting the medicine in (don't mix it with anything... that will just makes more to drink!) and if you have to, you can even cut it into 2 "doses" instead of one big one if it seems like too much. He'll learn that it's not too bad. Also, take a little taste on your finger of it...if it's very bitter and nasty tasting, you can usually ask the pharmacist to add some good flavoring to it to make it less unpleasant.
After he takes it...a big celebration and a little something sweet like a taste of honey and a sticker. (The ol' "spoon full of sugar" theory). Reinforce the whole time that he IS taking medicine (not candy or anything like that) and how much better his body will feel when he finishes it. You can even, in a little voice, say, "Thank you SOOOO much" as if it's his body thanking him when he takes it (corny I know, but they used to love this sort of thing in the office!)
Good luck and let us know how it goes!

I'm sorry I don't have any advice but just wanted to let you know that I have a 1 year old that also was diagnosed w/ pnuemonia (no hospitalization) but she absolutely hated the antibiotic. My Dr actually recommended not mixing with other things because they won't get the full dose. Anyway, it was a fight for the 10 days but we had to do it. My husband would hold her (or vice versa) while one of us put it in her mouth with a medicine syringe. I know that it's not any fun but at least your child will get well. Good luck.

oh you poor mama. i have a friend whose baby girl just had to be hospitalized and it's the worst. i can't imagine how stressful for you. i don't know of any tricks, but i can tell you that it sounds at this point like it is a mental problem he is having with the idea of medicine, not the taste or anything. honestly, i would not mix it with anything. it seems like he just has a lot of scary memories having to do with medicine in general, and it's freaking him out. i hate to say it, but he has to have the antibiotics, like you say, so i would just put it in the syringe, have daddy hold him down, and "SHOOT" it right to the back of his throat. it is the best and easiest way - as quick as possible. the longer it takes the worse it will be for him, so unfortunately you may have to forcibly restrain him, just for a moment. the nurses have it right. it's not easy to do but stick with it and you'll get the hang of it. stay calm and relaxed, and make it's as quick and easy for him as you can. i don't think there is an easy way! but maybe he'll start to get used to it when he sees that it's no big deal for mama and it only takes a S.. GOOD LUCK. i so feel for you girl!

I have the same problem with all meds for my oldest boy & with Prednisolone for my 3 yr old. The only thing that works for them is the medicine mixed with 1-2 tablespoons of syrup. I know...it's horrible but, as long as they take the medicine, I'm happy. My youngest has been hospitalized several times due to pneumonia, RSV, asthma, etc...plus, he has Croup at least twice a month so, getting him to take his medicine is very important.

I don't really have any new suggestion, but I went through the same thing when my son was two. Once my little one was finally home (two weeks at A.I. Dupont CHildrens hospital) he had both antibiotic and beathing treatments for two more weeks. We had to hold him down for both. As horrible as I felt hold my baby down I just had to remember what he looked like lieing in that bed pale with IV and oxigentubes and it gave me the strength to get through each dose one at a time.

As for being scared I'm sure there are Mom's that might not agree with me but I stayed with my son at night until he fell a sleep and sometimes longer just to watch him breath because I was just as scared as him. If he is old enough ask him what he needs to be able to sleep maybe a night light or stay up til he just falls asleep. He's 2 there is plenty of time to get him back in to a sleep routine once he feels safe again.

Good Luck

My son was hospitalized 9 times in the first 2 years of his life. For a year he had to take two different kinds of medicine, every 4 hours on one and 6 hours on the other. Plus the medicine he had to take for whatever he happened to have at the time. He was also very traumatized from the hospital. I even had to change my scrubs as soon as I got home from work or he would have nothing to do with me! He hated the medicine and would act like your son when we tried to give it. So, H.'s my advice... Use a syringe. The less you have to squirt in their mouth the better so don't mix it with anything because thats just more for them to have to swallow. And I know this all seems a little mean but it has to be D.. Have your husband hold him as he is probably a little stronger than you. Make sure the arms and legs are out of the way and the side of his head is kind of pushed into your husbands chest so it will not move. Your son should be distracted and focused on trying to get away so watch for just the right opportunity to get the syringe in his mouth. Make sure you squirt it fast and clear in the back of the throat. At this point your husband needs to make sure he is focusing more on the head. Making sure the mouth is shut and the head cannot be turned at all until the medicine has been swallowed. After you've D. this a few times he'll get tired of the struggle. So, give him options. Tell him that he can fight and dad can hold him or he can just be good and take it. Also, give him the option of administering the medicine himself. But reassure him that no matter how it is D. he WILL take medicine. You might also try to have a grandma or one of his favorite people try to coax him or even tell him that he has to take the medicine because "Grandma said so!". Good luck and please let us know how it goes.

When my daughter doesnt want her medicine, which we just put in the syringe that you squirt in their mouths, I hold the syringe in one hand, and some m&m's (her fav treat) in the other, and you know it's a struggle in her head, because she doesnt want the medicine but she does want the ms, but it usually works. Even if my husband has to hold her down while I squirt it slowly in her mouth.....

This sounds awful, so save it for a last resort. Have your husband hold your son with one arm and hold his head against his chest with the other. Then, as you hold your son's nose, squirt the medicine from a syringe into the SIDE of his mouth. It's harder for him to spit it out from the side of his mouth, and his nose being plugged makes it harder too. He will hate it, but he has to get his medicine one way or the other. When you get D., give him lots of snuggles and extra love. Looks like you may have an uncooperative medicine-taker for a few years to come...Hopefully if he doesn't get sick again for a while, he will forget about this experience. I feel for you guys-having a child in the hospital is heartbreaking!

I'm not sure if this will work for you, but my son is very stubborn, and I found that the reverse thing works on him (just turned 3, been doing it for a while). Just have the medicine ready in the syringe, and say mommy has to give this to you because you don't know how. Say you can not take your medicine. It sounds strange, but if I say stuff like that, he grabs it out of my hand and says "I do it!" and takes the med. on his own. And it works with many things, not just taking medicine. And my son is the type to throw tantrums often. It's all about control, he needs to have control.
Hope that helps!

Good morning Alejandra, I don't know how much your toddler understands when you talk to him or her, but I believe in complete honesty with children. If he is old enough to understand a conversation, explain that he is sick and this medicine will make him better. Don't try to "trick" him into anything. This will only cause him to distrust you in other matters later on. It is important to establish an element of trust in your relationship. Give him a choice of how he would like to take the medicine. It MUST be taken, and would he prefer to take it straight with a treat following, or would he prefer to have a flavor in it. He can take it at home with his choice of flavors, or go back to the doctor and have it given by the doctor. You must express that you love him, and only want what is good for him, even though it doesn't taste good, it will make him feel better. This may sound harsh, but it is necessary to establish ground rules for medicatons early in childhood. I have raised 3 sons, and unfortunately they had to take medicine frequently. I never "forced" them, but I was firm that it must be taken. If all else fails, talk to your doctor about other means of administering the medication, occasionaly there are suppositories that can be used. It is imperative that all medications be taken as prescribed. Always administer with love, but firmness. Good luck, D.

I'm a pediatric nurse. Hold him down and squirt it down using a syringe like they did in the hospital. I wouldn't mix the med with anything- it just makes that much more liquid to get down him plus you may not be getting the full dosage when you mix with all that extra stuff. He has been given choices and he wants to fight it, prolonging the fight is useless if you ask me. 2 min of having your husband hold him down and wedging the syringe inside his cheek as far as you can before giving the med. Hold his cheeks together like a fish if he tries to spit it out. Always give him the choice- "would you like to take your med or does dad have to hold you?"

Try putting it in a pudding or jello cup or even applesauce but dont let him see you do that or ice cream too. I had to do that with my grandchildren and it worked for me.
J.

I know it's too late for this and might not have made a difference, but Target (and perhaps other places) offer many different flavors you can choose for your medicine. Just FYI for the future.

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_/ai_n19521594

Hi Alejandra,
I know you must have gotten a lot of responses already, and I cannot read the responses you have already had as they are not listed anymore, but I have had a similar problem with my little 2 yr old girl.. She has been on medication for a long time (she was premature and spent 3 months in the hospital) and the way the nurses got her to take some of the medicine was to mix it with Hershey's Syrup and then put it in the syringe. We let her have a little taste of it, she liked it and then there was no problems. The pharmacist can also flavor the antibiotic before you pick it up (I think it costs 3 dollars, but it is worth it. ) My daughter likes the grape flavor the best. It sounds like the M & Ms are working for you, so that is probably the way to go!
My daughter still hates going to the doctor, so your son's fear of the hospital and going to bed my take some time for him to get over. Best of luck to you, I have been there and understand!

Hang in there Alejandra. It will be okay. When my daughter was about 1 and a half she was put in the hospital for dehydration because of a virus. She didn't want the medicine or to drink either. One thing she would usually take was a popsicle, so it might be worth checking with your pharmacist to see if the medication would be harmed by freezing it with some juice or something to make a popsicle. Another thing we did was buy one of the little plastic doctor bags and let her play doctor on us. She got to give us shots and pretend medicine and sometimes we would take turns so she got her medicine during the game. If evryone has juice or milk for their "medicine" your little one might not think his is any different. Playing doctor was kind of enlightening because we got to see our daughter act out what she thought doctors did. Her actions when administering the pretend shots and things let us know if she thought the doctor was gentle with her and gave us an idea about which things scared her. Plus, letting her be the doctor gave her a sense of control which is a big part of what makes a hospital stay frightening for kids... they have no control, and no choices and everything is unfamiliar. When they pretend to be the doctor, the patient has to do what they say and it gives them back a little power over the situation.
Good luck! :-)

I have four children the oldest is 21 and the youngest is 5. Both the oldest and yougest have had issues that have required taking meds they did not want to take. I have always been honest with them and even when they were as young as two I handed them the syringe, let them know it was important they take the meds to avoid going back to the hospital and doctor, and then I let them take their meds. I always kept their favorite drink handy for after the meds. Sometime it would take a ton of sips to get down a mere teaspoon, but I have always found it easier and certainly more humane to allow them to take a little bit of control of their own lives instead of holding them down and making them horrified of taking medicine. Now at 5 my daughter will take any medicine without a fight. She knows its over soon and it has to be D..

My son was the same way, except if I forced him to take the medicine he would gag and throw up, so I bought his favorite sherbert ice cream and put it in just a little bit. He thought he was so special to get ice cream twice a day. For my daughter, I let her chase it with Sunny D and had a Barbie for her as a reward when she was D..

Hi, I am sorry your son has been so sick. My daughter has had to take a lot of really yucky medicine. I have tried all the tricks,even hiding it in ice cream. And we have had the battles of trying to get it down.The only thing that has helped us is hiding the medicine in caffine free soda especially root beer. It has a strong enough taste that they don't taste it and we are not big soda drinkers so it is like she is having a treat. Also, I don't tell her that I am putting it in, I just give her a cup with soda in it and make sure she drinks all of it. That is what has worked for us, hope he gets better soon.

My little boy is about the same age & was also recently hospitalized, then refusing medicine once we got home. After battling it out a couple of days my husband sat him on the counter, poured the medicine in a spoon and said, "If you don't take this, you'll have to go back to the hospital." Then he took several bites off the spoon until it was gone and we'd cheer, "Awesome!" That worked for us. Other ideas are mix with chocolate syrup or root beer. Both are dark colored & strongly flavored enough to cover any yucky taste. I think you need to try to figure out if it's the taste or just the fact that it's medicine. Sitting him on the counter was really helpful. Good luck!

I had to mix my little man's medicine with 100% grape juice (the red/purple kind). He seemed not to notice it then. Kids can be really difficult at that age. (And I just signed up to do it all again, am I crazy?) Otherwise just give it to him straight and tell him he has to take it or go back to the hospital. Lots of Luck.

OK, I read them all and didn't see anyone with this :) Have him lay down on the floor, you sit down. His head is between your legs close to your body, arms and legs are under your legs. He's not being hurt at all but can't move head or extemities and you can give him the medicine yourself. The whole "two persons needed" and using your arms/ hands to restrain is much more complicated - leaving room for more complications! Also, I have heard NOT to mix it with anything. Obviously, if you're going to give him the meds - you wouldn't mix it anyway. I know Dr. said to, but did you ask the pharmasist. I think they would advise against it....don't remember the if it was only about the dosage but it seems the integrity of the meds is at risk if mixed with other things. If you have to fight to get it in, you sure want it to count! Well, and you do want him to get better :)Best wishes.

If you are struggling for two hours to give him his medicine...I can only imagine what your days are like...since he probably needs to take it more than once a day!! Does he still use a bottle at all?? I wonder if you could get a small bottle, put the medicine in just enough liquid to mask the taste a little (but not a LOT or you will just have more struggling to get it all down him) and let him drink it out of the bottle??? Or how about a sippy cup...along with some of his favorite treats..."take a drink of juice...and you can have...a treat". Or make it a tea party...with EVERYONE having those little cups...and make a big deal about how good it is and how much fun it is to drink out of the little cups. I am afraid if you keep forcing it then it will just become a battle of wills...and that isnt going to help you or him.
If he is on Amoxicillin, they have that in chewable tablet form which might be easier but I am not sure if it is in doses that are something a 2 year old could take.
Could I also suggest that you talk to your pharmacist...maybe he/she has some suggestions...they deal with this sort of thing on a daily basis.
Good luck to you!! I hope he continues to improve and is soon back to full health.

My son took medicine very well but my daughter with her 1st round of antibiotics when she was under a yr old she refused.I sit on the floor put her between my legs medicine already in the syringe and hold her gently of course and little by little I place the medicne in the side of her mouth that works because they have to swallow before they can yell cry scream etc.

I use the syringe for medicine. I don't mix anything with it...less to swallow. I just keep a cup of cold water right there for him to drink immediately after. I just hold him and do it. That works better than a lengthy struggle and now that he knows "it's gonna happen!" he really doesn't even try to struggle. Did you flavor the medicine? That helps. I'm not sure if you can add it now or not, but you could check with wherever you got the prescription. Bubblegum worked when my guy had to have antibiotics. Good luck!

I would call your doctor and ask them if they have a shot they can give him....

I have also told my little guy to take his vitamin to help him grow strong, it seems to work too.

I am so sorry your child is going through this. Your not going to like my advice but if it were me, I would take him back to the hospital until he was better. I have had tough times also to get my daughter to take medicine, shes never been on antibiotics but she refuses to take anything and spits it out. Thats so scary! I will pray for him.

I thought the hospital would be sure the child can down the meds before sending them home. We had issues with ours throwing up the steriods, and they made sure he would keep them down before sending him home.

I would call your ped and ask them to give him an antibiotic shot. It may need to be repeated, but usually one dose will do it. Then you can out the liquid meds altogether.

I've been there, D. that. My 3rd daughter was born sick and on antibiotics the better part of 4 years. We had 2 surgeries during that time and was at the doctors office repeatedly. She got so tired of it and we had some painful battles. But eventually it was simply a matter of she will or she will be very sorry. She knew I meant business.

You won't want to hear this, but a 2 year 10 month old child is not a toddler anymore. Your baby is growing up. Some of my own kids and daycare kids have been writing letters and learning to read by the time they turned 3, most are potty trained by then and all have a good command of the English language. This child is old enough to hear and listen to reason. Once you have made it clear he will have to go back to the hospital if he gets sick again and the medicine is a must he will either take it or he should be punished. It's your choice between time out, spanking him, not letting him play with something he loves etc. I know you were so scared when he was sick. I've been there D. that. But your the parent, he's the child and he's a preschooler at this point!

I would have offered up the juice and such but it's a moot point at this point.

Suzi