Need Tips for a Miserable Mom

[Maleficent13]

Do any of you DIS moms or dads out there have any tips/helpful hints about how to get medicine into an older infant somewhat painlessly? At least possibly more painless than basically wrestling her to the ground because she started squirming and screaming the minute she saw the dropper, sitting on her, forcing her mouth open, squeezing it in, having her spit it out all over your clothes and hair and hers, and then having to start the process all over again because she didn't get a drop in her?

Meanwhile she's screaming and gagging like you're killing her. And then crying for upwards of 45-60 minutes afterwards (her, not me...I usually stop crying within 15-20 minutes )

*sigh* We have 6 more days to go of this, and I'm not sure my sanity can take it.

 

[In a hurry]

Do you have the syringe thingie? I've had to wrestle my daughter to the ground to get that in there, but once there it is quick and efficient (meds slide back rather than being spit at me!)

 

[FionaLovesShrek]

I had the same problems with my DD when she was a toddler. I tried everything. I gave up trying the dropper routine and would mix it in a sippy cup with juice or something. But I learned not to add too much juice or milk, because it would take her forever to drink it. And then on the occasions she wouldn't drink, I had to give her something to make her thirsty. What a vicious cycle. I do not miss those days.

 

[In a hurry]

I also remember it improving thruout the course of medication. I don't know if they just adapted or what!

 

[Maleficent13]

I am using the syringe thingie. It doesn't seem to be working as it's intended.

 

[Christine]

Mal,
I had the same problems with my DD and, unfortunately, I have no advice. I tried EVERYTHING. Hiding it, bribes, etc. Somehow I always guess I managed enough meds to cure whatever the illness was but it was never a pretty sight.

I got my DD on chewable meds as quickly as possible and she did much better with that. Many of the antibiotics come in tasty chewables (amoxicillan, Augmentin). My DD wasn't crazy about those either but they were tolerable.

 

[Maryr1]

Hi Mal!
I don't know if this is an OK way to do it, but it always worked for us so.....DH would hold DD in his arms on her back as if he was rocking her. He would tip her slightly back and I would put the end of the dropper in her mouth as she screamed and then I would quickly squirt. She never aspirated or choked but boy did she cry! So did I.The key to this was being quick-no debate, no pause, no nothing! Start, finish, done! She would stop crying pretty quick. I think the quickness of the event workewd in our favor. Good luck!

 

[In a hurry]

Oh... Well, then... those are my ideas... Sorry...!

There is nothing worse than knowing that you have to get meds into a sick child, and fighting/dreading it the whole time!

 

[rob6597]

Have you tried a pacifier medicine dispenser? It has a small reservoir on one end, and a pacifier on the other end. If your daughter uses a pacifier, it might work.

It worked pretty well for us, after going through pretty much the same thing as you described.

 

[Nancy]

I pretty much did what the OP is doing, just try to get the dropper in pretty far so it goes down the throat really quick.


Sometimes getting them when they are sleepy helps a bit too.

 

[MickeysMommy]

Just a for my pal. I knew something was "off" girl! PM when you can. Many for you though!

 

[dizagain]

I feel your pain...DD10 did that until she was four and began swallowing pills because she ASKED for them! We pretty much tried it all, experienced it all. The best advice I can give has already been given. One of you hold her leaning her gently back, the other hold her nose with one hand (this makes her open her mouth and also helps with removing taste) and the other use the syringe to shoot the stuff as far back as you can. We usually offered a very small cup of soda afterwards to cover the taste as a reward...reward for what, I'm not sure!!

Good luck to you! You might check out the chewable antibiotics...I had never heard of them. The flavorings they can put in liquid did no good for us.

 

[disneyaggie]

Well, here's one for the books . . . I am in my early 40's and STILL will not take liquid medicine, unless it is mixed with something. I also (embarassingly enough) have to hold my nose so I can't taste it. It makes me gag and I lose it.

Go figure!

 

[Pixiedust34]

I used to use the syringe-thingie and aimed for the side of the mouth (the inside of the cheek) because I read that it's harder for them to spit it out at that angle.

Wal-Greens will add flavors to your medicine. I think there are plenty of flavors available. Maybe if your child can pick her own flavor, she will be OK with taking the medicine.

The worst part of all of this is when you finally get the medicine in them, and then they vomit it all up again. BTDT a few times, and it's not fun.

I hope your dd is feeling better soon.

 

[mickeyboat]

I had the same problems with my DD when she was a toddler. I tried everything. I gave up trying the dropper routine and would mix it in a sippy cup with juice or something. But I learned not to add too much juice or milk, because it would take her forever to drink it. I do not miss those days.

We ended up doing this, too. It was amazing, though, that she seemed to have no problem taking it from our day care provider. So lots of times I would have her give the morning and noon doses, and use the sippy cup for the night time dose. Boy it made me feel like a bad mommy!

Good luck.

Denae

 

[andromedaslove]

Believe me I know what you are going through. Right now my 17 month old has a horrible cough/cold, and he has pink eye (which I think he got from some kid at the gym). I am having to hold him down to get both medicines taken care of. Here's what I do to make it as painless and quick as possible. I literally sit on my kid!! OK that sounds worse than I meant it, but here's what I do. I lay him down on his back, sit on my knees with one leg an each side of him, and pin his little arms to his side with my legs. I make sure not to put my weight on him at all, I am just basically using my legs to pin his arms down and keep him still. That leaves me free to work with both hands. With the oral medicine I make sure to put it on the inside of his cheek so he can't spit it back out at me. With the eye drops it is a bit harder!!

 

[larfamily]

My youngest son has never been able to take any medication without vomiting. The only thing that works is this: I ask the doctor to prescribe chewable tablets. I crush one up and mix it with a spoonful of dry brownie mix and add a little water. The strong chocolate flavor completely covers up the medicine taste.

 

[luvmyfam444]

Go add some flavoring to the meds - Walgreen will add it for 2.99 - all kinds of cool flavors - my kids like bubblegum best.....

 

[RadioNate]

how old? Medicine spoons were a God send to us. DS hated the syringe, we had lots of scenes like you described. Then we got a medicine spoon. It gives him control and while he still doesn't like medicine (who really does) he takes it without too much fuss.

 

[Maleficent13]

She's not yet a year old...no teeth so chewables are out. The stuff does not taste bad...it's orange-flavored. I don't know if she's too young for a medicine spoon...I'll have to get one and try it.

I just worry about getting enough in her.