Need Tips for a Miserable Mom

[AmyJ of Ca]

We also had this problem...we did the same as far a shooting it in the side of the mouth but the we would keep a finger in her mouth because it seemed to prevent her from spitting it back at us. She would eventually swallow it so she could scream at us. Good luck

 

[MI mom of 3]

When DS was little he would try to refuse any meds. I asked his doctor to give me everything in pill form. I made sure I always had pixie sticks, those paper tubes of colored sugar, in the house. I would empty one half way, crush up his pill, mix it well and pour it back in. Then I would call all 3 kids in the kitchen and give one to each of them. Of course only Nick would get the meds in his. He never suspected anything because he wasn't the only one getting it and the other 2 loved it when he was sick because that was the only time I would let them have pixie sticks.

 

[gshanny]

I don't envy you. I also don't ever want to go back to those days.
I had a way to do it when I was home alone because DH worked through the evenings. I would put my kid on their back laying on the floor. I would sit with my legs out the same direction as theirs. I would hold their head between my thighs, put their arms under my legs and put my legs up tight enough to the sides of their body to hold them still. This way their arms couldn't be used to grab the syringe thingy, the couldn't twist away and I could hold their head still. I felt safer doing this also since none of my weight was over their body in case I would have lost my balance.
Now I am in the process of getting 10yo DS to take chewables instead of liquids. 15yo DD finally learned to swallow pills.

 

[Christine]

I don't envy you. I also don't ever want to go back to those days.
I had a way to do it when I was home alone because DH worked through the evenings. I would put my kid on their back laying on the floor. I would sit with my legs out the same direction as theirs. I would hold their head between my thighs, put their arms under my legs and put my legs up tight enough to the sides of their body to hold them still. This way their arms couldn't be used to grab the syringe thingy, the couldn't twist away and I could hold their head still. I felt safer doing this also since none of my weight was over their body in case I would have lost my balance.
Now I am in the process of getting 10yo DS to take chewables instead of liquids. 15yo DD finally learned to swallow pills.

I don't know why, but I got such a chuckle reading this post. What we parents go through!!!

 

[rt2dz]

I can't help you with the wrestling part of the problem--have the same problem. But, you have a better chance of having more medicine swallowed & less spit out if you point the dropper to the back of the mouth on the side and not down the throat. Less chance of choking & more reflex to swallow. You could also try and get better tasting medicine. Most pharmacies have flavors they can mix in that helps.

 

[Brianne]

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!

This is exactly how we did it too. It was the only way we could guarantee that the medicine was taken.

I don't miss those days at all. It's about as bad as having to put eyedrops into a 4 month old's eye---my DD caught pinkeye at that age. That was a rough, rough week.

 

[agnes!]

When DS was little he would try to refuse any meds. I asked his doctor to give me everything in pill form. I made sure I always had pixie sticks, those paper tubes of colored sugar, in the house. I would empty one half way, crush up his pill, mix it well and pour it back in. Then I would call all 3 kids in the kitchen and give one to each of them. Of course only Nick would get the meds in his. He never suspected anything because he wasn't the only one getting it and the other 2 loved it when he was sick because that was the only time I would let them have pixie sticks.

That is so brilliant , I am *almost* speechless.

agnes!

 

[AmyJ of Ca]

Oh yeah... A quick blow of air in their face makes them swallow...good luck

 

[Maleficent13]

That is so brilliant , I am *almost* speechless.

agnes!

I agree...I am filing that away for when she's older...

 

[MickeysMommy]

I agree...I am filing that away for when she's older...

I'm filing that away if I ever have one

 

[YourMajesty]

Has she had yogurt yet? If she gobbles it up you could mix it with orange flavored yogurt to match the flavor of the med. My DS was terrible and it lasted way past toddler age. One time the Dr gave us samples (the little powered vials that you mix with water). He told us we could mix it with whatever he liked. We ended up mixing it mostly with drinkable yogurt. This will only work with a med that doesn't taste bad. If it's bitter there is nothing that with mask the taste. Two of the worst meds my kids ever has to take was prelone and biaxin (both liquid). There was nothing to overcome the bitterness. The prelone would cause my DS to vomit. I took a taste and my stomach started burning. We discovered that you can get it in a very small pill and put if whole in pudding or applesause followed by a water chaser and it worked well (probably close to four). Good luck.

 

[MamaLema]

I don't envy you. I also don't ever want to go back to those days.
I had a way to do it when I was home alone because DH worked through the evenings. I would put my kid on their back laying on the floor. I would sit with my legs out the same direction as theirs. I would hold their head between my thighs, put their arms under my legs and put my legs up tight enough to the sides of their body to hold them still. This way their arms couldn't be used to grab the syringe thingy, the couldn't twist away and I could hold their head still. I felt safer doing this also since none of my weight was over their body in case I would have lost my balance.

OK, I don't know why I'm laughing because I just did something similar only 2 months ago. Funny how I can laugh about it now.

The funniest part is what finally worked for is calmly explaining to DS that he has an "ouchie" and the medicine will help the "ouchie". I let him shake the antibiotics bottle, help me measure the amount in the syringe. Then I would ask him if he wants to push the syringe or does he want me to do it. I think letting them have some control helps a bit.

 

[LoveWDW]

When they were big enough I used those measuring child medicine spoons. You pour the medicine into the spoon and hand it to the child who then takes it himself. I never made a face or acted worried that he wouldn't take it. It was "here is your medicine" and he saw that I he was expected to take it and did. It was kind of like the member said on the first page- keep it fast before they have a chance to detect doubts in your mind.

 

[becka]

I don't know what type of medicine you are trying to give your DD but if it is Tylenol they do make Tylenol suppositories. I found out about them when DS was 2 and he was screaming and fighting me so hard about taking Tylenol (liquid or chewables) when he has a fever of 103. I am still shocked that he had that much energy and the ability to kick me that hard. Anway, the brand name is Fever-All and they have both infant and kids strength.

Just this past week DS pitched a fit over taking Tylenol when his temp was around 102 and I really wanted him to take the Tylenol. When he refused I went to Plan B and it is so much easier and faster. Sometimes it just really is not worth the fight....

 

[ChrisnSteph]

How old is she? Can she suck on something really cold for a while, like a popsicle or Otter Pop? The cold will numb the taste buds and make the medicine takes less yucky. This works for my kids really well, and even myself when I have to take liquid medicine. I'm almost as bad as my kids!

 

[mickeyboat]

Just this past week DS pitched a fit over taking Tylenol when his temp was around 102 and I really wanted him to take the Tylenol. When he refused I went to Plan B and it is so much easier and faster. Sometimes it just really is not worth the fight....

Plan "B" . Sorry, I can't help but laugh. I can tell you this, if you were trying to give me plan "B," I would gladly take it orally thank you very much. Does it bother your son at all?

Denae

 

[dcgrumpy]

I add it to their sippy or bottle. I only put a couple of ounces of milk or juice so they drink it pretty quick.

 

[becka]

Plan "B" . Sorry, I can't help but laugh. I can tell you this, if you were trying to give me plan "B," I would gladly take it orally thank you very much. Does it bother your son at all?

Actually he is always given the choice when he pitches a fit and lately he chooses plan "B". I guess he thinks the Tylenol tastes that bad.