How to get my 10-month old to take medicine

[babyfiorina1]

DD is having ear infection and the doctor prescribed amoxicillin 3.8 mg for 10 days. The poor thing wouldn't take it. I had to force it to her and it was so traumatic for both of us. She vomited the whole thing out. I tried mixing it with yogurt (her favorite food) and she apparently has radar for that medicine, spit it out and refuse to open her mouth. I tried to have her drink it instead through a cup, the moment she lips touch the medicine, she pushed the cup away. She doesn't do bottle and sippy cups.
She has to take the medication twice a day for the next 10 days. God please help me!!! I couldn't even get her to take her first dose :( *sigh* Now, she doesn't even want to take the infant tylenol (no problem before), not sure why she hates this amoxicillin, it wasn't taste that bad I think. Oh well!
Any suggestion how I can get her to take it ?

[MamaInMarch]

You don't say what you tried to use the first time, so I am going to throw this out there... I always used a syringe so that I could slide it way back in his cheek and avoid the tongue. Almost in the jaw. Also, if it really is the taste ask your pharmacy if they can flavor the medicine. Most pharmacies use a system called FlavoRx and it really masks things well. And amox flavors excellently.

If you really can't get it down, you can always call the pediatrician and ask for an alternative that is fewer doses per day and shorter duration. Something like Zithromax is once a day for 5 days.

[nfowife]

definitely flavor it. And then do the syringe thing and squirt in the side/back of her check while she's lying on the changing table. Have a wipe handy for whatever oozes out of her mouth; it's sticky.

[amldaley]

You don't say what you tried to use the first time, so I am going to throw this out there... I always used a syringe so that I could slide it way back in his cheek and avoid the tongue. Almost in the jaw.

:yeahthat: I always ask the pharmacist for a couple of the disposable syringes. I get the really skinny ones and put it far back and between the teeth and the cheek so it can't be spit out. It gets it past most of the tastebuds that way, too.

The syringes are great for accurate dosing and way less mess. Most of the disposable syringes can be re-used several times. I just pulled the plunger out and totally flushed with hot water until it was totally clean. Let air dry before replacing the plunger.

[babyfiorina1]

You don't say what you tried to use the first time, so I am going to throw this out there... I always used a syringe so that I could slide it way back in his cheek and avoid the tongue. Almost in the jaw. Also, if it really is the taste ask your pharmacy if they can flavor the medicine. Most pharmacies use a system called FlavoRx and it really masks things well. And amox flavors excellently.

If you really can't get it down, you can always call the pediatrician and ask for an alternative that is fewer doses per day and shorter duration. Something like Zithromax is once a day for 5 days.

I did use a syringe earlier, but it was quite a fat one with a short tip. I managed to get it in finally, she got so angry, but she didn't cry. Well, she was about to, but I quickly distract her by singing (not a good singer, but it worked)

Great idea on flavoring, I will sure take note on that. If she's still fighting me, then I will have it flavored.

[babyfiorina1]

:yeahthat: I always ask the pharmacist for a couple of the disposable syringes. I get the really skinny ones and put it far back and between the teeth and the cheek so it can't be spit out. It gets it past most of the tastebuds that way, too.

The syringes are great for accurate dosing and way less mess. Most of the disposable syringes can be re-used several times. I just pulled the plunger out and totally flushed with hot water until it was totally clean. Let air dry before replacing the plunger.

I don't know why I didn't think of using skinny ones that way i can put it far back. I have couple of unused ones. Thank you.

[kbud]

definitely flavor it. And then do the syringe thing and squirt in the side/back of her check while she's lying on the changing table. Have a wipe handy for whatever oozes out of her mouth; it's sticky.

This is what we always did. I usually had to pin her down on the floor by pretty much sitting on her. DH would have to hold her arms down. It wasn't fun or pretty but it worked and we had to do it. It didn't bother me too much as I knew she was just mad. I wasn't hurting her. When she got a bit older I had good luck putting just a shot of OJ in it. You don't want to do a whole lot because you must ensure they drink it all.

The flavoring never did much for us but I still added it just in case it would help. Good luck, it's not fun!

[SummerBaby]

My younger DD was an absolute nightmare to get medicine in, and until she was 3, it took 2 of us to hold her down to give it to her. What does help, is to blow on her face as you squirt the meds in. The blowing triggers a swallowing reflex, and at least she won't be able to spit it all back at you.

I know it's awful, but sometimes you just have to hold them down. If it makes you feel better, once they're about 3, and fully bribe-able, it's no longer a big deal. All I have to do now is tell DD she gets a Hershey's kiss if she takes her medicine, and she hops right up and gulps it down happily. :) This is the same kid who would vomit from crying before I even got near her with the syringe!

[Tinochka]

I know my message will not sound pretty, but after some trial and not taking medicine I gave up and follow one of my friend’s suggestion: put a baby on a flat surface, have a med ready (but better if the baby will not see it coming), close he nose while putting med in the mouth... Because she loose an air it make her to breath with a mouth and swallow the med. Take your hand right away, so she will not panic and will breath normal.
I know, it sound terrible, but it helped my baby after all. Then you grab her right away and give smth favorite or distract her.
Good luck! By doing that we outgrow reflux pretty quick.

[Tondi G]

I went through the battles with my boys too! You need a small syringe... sit on the floor with your DD's head in your lap.... use your feet/legs to help hold her. Syringe goes into her cheek and you dispense a tiny bit at a time.... when you squirt blow into her face.... it makes them swallow. If yogurt doesn't work you can try chocolate pudding. Chocolate is one of the few things that helps cover up medicine's icky taste.

Another option could be calling and asking if you could get a rx for zithromax instead... it's only a 5 day med, once a day.

Last resort is taking her back in and getting an antibiotic shot.

you could try Mullein and Garlic oil drops in her ears too.... it's fine to use while you give antibiotics .... some folks sware it clears EI's without antibiotics. I used it in my DS's ear this summer and after 3 days of drops in the ear the pain he was complaining about was gone.

[babyfiorina1]

Thank you all for the suggestions. I tried with a thinner syringe this morning, but the one I have is 1 ml, so I have to do that 4 times :( She didn't cry, but she keep her lips tight. I lied her down, I tickled her and when she opened her mouth, I just forced it in and she got so mad and screamed. But, she didn't spit it out this time.

I think I just have to stick with a large syringe and only one time, and follow suggestions posted her, pin her down :( and yes..I know we're not torturing them, just want them to get better. She needed to be pinned down as well at the clinic yesterday. Wrestling with the doctor who's trying to look at her ears and cried all the way home after that.

[BabyBearsMom]

You don't say what you tried to use the first time, so I am going to throw this out there... I always used a syringe so that I could slide it way back in his cheek and avoid the tongue. Almost in the jaw. .

:yeahthat: Also, this is a random thing, but I am allergic to amoxycillin (it gives me hives) and when I was a kid, I used to always throw up when I had it. I don't know if I was just a pain in the butt kid or if the allergy and the vomitting were related.

[babyfiorina1]

I went through the battles with my boys too! You need a small syringe... sit on the floor with your DD's head in your lap.... use your feet/legs to help hold her. Syringe goes into her cheek and you dispense a tiny bit at a time.... when you squirt blow into her face.... it makes them swallow. If yogurt doesn't work you can try chocolate pudding. Chocolate is one of the few things that helps cover up medicine's icky taste.

Another option could be calling and asking if you could get a rx for zithromax instead... it's only a 5 day med, once a day.

Last resort is taking her back in and getting an antibiotic shot.

you could try Mullein and Garlic oil drops in her ears too.... it's fine to use while you give antibiotics .... some folks sware it clears EI's without antibiotics. I used it in my DS's ear this summer and after 3 days of drops in the ear the pain he was complaining about was gone.

I'll check out the Mullein and Garlic oil drops. I think she gets so traumatized at the clinic yesterday that now, she doesn't want anything go near her ears. Not even the ear thermometer. I hope she won't get anymore ear infection. I'm really so stressing out just thinking about giving her the meds lol!

[longtallsally05]

This is what I learned in nursing school: use your finger to fishhook her cheek (open to the side), put the syringe way back in the corner of her mouth (where her molars will grow, by the cheek) and squirt gently but quickly. Hold the mouth closed so she'll swallow most of it. Don't sneak up on her (eg while she's crying with her mouth open and eyes closed) or she might inhale instead of swallow it. Ask your pharmacy for a better syringe if the one you have doesn't work for you. Wal-Mart has nice, big 1 tsp bulb syringes that are easy to use. HTH!

[longtallsally05]

Forgot to add: if you ever need to give her eye drops, lay her on her back, turn her head slightly and put the drops into the inside corner of her eye. When she opens her eyes the drops will slide right in. Repeat on other side. Easy peasy. Also works on older kids and skittish husbands (don't ask)!

[babyfiorina1]

This is what I learned in nursing school: use your finger to fishhook her cheek (open to the side), put the syringe way back in the corner of her mouth (where her molars will grow, by the cheek) and squirt gently but quickly. Hold the mouth closed so she'll swallow most of it. Don't sneak up on her (eg while she's crying with her mouth open and eyes closed) or she might inhale instead of swallow it. Ask your pharmacy for a better syringe if the one you have doesn't work for you. Wal-Mart has nice, big 1 tsp bulb syringes that are easy to use. HTH!

THANK YOU! It worked! I just gave it to her. I swaddled her arms in this time since DH is not around. I fish hook with my pinky and quickly get the syringe in and release, she's trying to move her head around, but I managed to get them in and she was much "calmer" probably because she was swaddled ? I dunno, but it worked! thank you...gosh! I agree with not sneaking on her, when I tickle her and she laugh, she almost choke on the meds :( not a good tactic. Just a desperate mom!

[babyfiorina1]

Also works on older kids and skittish husbands (don't ask)!

That's funny ;b

[longtallsally05]

Glad to help! Re: skittish husbands, DH always makes me feel like the WORST nurse ever.

[babyfiorina1]

DD has some pin dots rashes on her forehead and all over her upper body this morning 10 minutes after I gave her the 4th dose of amoxycillin. Nothing really major, no hives or difficulty swallowing, but the nurse still wanted me to bring her back in just to be sure. The Dr. said that she most likely had mild reaction from the amoxycillin. So, now we are switched to Azithromycin for the next 5 days. I told the doctor that we had been wrestling for the past two days, so he prescribed this and only once a day for 5 days. Thank God! AND it's cherry flavored! Mommy got smart and learned something now!!! :shy:

[BabyBearsMom]

DD has some pin dots rashes on her forehead and all over her upper body this morning 10 minutes after I gave her the 4th dose of amoxycillin. Nothing really major, no hives or difficulty swallowing, but the nurse still wanted me to bring her back in just to be sure. The Dr. said that she most likely had mild reaction from the amoxycillin. So, now we are switched to Azithromycin for the next 5 days. I told the doctor that we had been wrestling for the past two days, so he prescribed this and only once a day for 5 days. Thank God! AND it's cherry flavored! Mommy got smart and learned something now!!! :shy:

Good luck! Arithromycin is what I usually take with my allergies. Be careful for prescriptions for cyproflaxcin and Pennicillin (spelling?). They are all in the same family and could also cause a reaction. Good luck to your DD and hope she is feeling better.

[MamaInMarch]

Good luck! Arithromycin is what I usually take with my allergies. Be careful for prescriptions for cyproflaxcin and Pennicillin (spelling?). They are all in the same family and could also cause a reaction. Good luck to your DD and hope she is feeling better.

Be sure to tell your pharmacy that the reason the meds were switched was due to allergy! That will flag in the system in case you are prescribed something that can trigger the same response... other -cillin drugs and a drug class called cephalosporins. Actually, ciprofloxacin is usually fine in penicillin allergic patients.

[babyfiorina1]

Be sure to tell your pharmacy that the reason the meds were switched was due to allergy! That will flag in the system in case you are prescribed something that can trigger the same response... other -cillin drugs and a drug class called cephalosporins. Actually, ciprofloxacin is usually fine in penicillin allergic patients.

I will definitely take a note on that. Thank you.

[babyfiorina1]

Good luck! Arithromycin is what I usually take with my allergies. Be careful for prescriptions for cyproflaxcin and Pennicillin (spelling?). They are all in the same family and could also cause a reaction. Good luck to your DD and hope she is feeling better.

Thank you. I mixed the meds with her yogurt again this morning and she surprisingly took it, though she kinda gave me that look (something is in this yogurt!!) but she kept on opening her mouth for more yogurt (it's one of her favorite foods). So, this round was peaceful, not sure if I can do the same thing again tomorrow lol! We'll see!

She's exceptionally clingy for the past one week, I don't know if it is because of the ear pain and not feeling so good that causes that, or she's getting to that phase where she's just being clingy ? hmmm!