My 2 1/2 year old will not take medicine.

Christa - posted on 02/08/2009

I had a really bad experience with my son at the hospital, the nurse was really forceful with him and ever since he has not gone near panadol or nurofen, i like you tried to disguise it and he picked up on it... my only suggestion is get a sheet wrap him in it force his mouth open and get the syringe in as quick as possible, it is the most heart breaking thing everytime i do it but i know it is for his own good.

Jodi - posted on 02/08/2009

iv tryied holding my child down but he is 5 and very strong, i am a single mum and normally is only me and him in the house, so when it gets to the point that he has to have it, i cant hold him down, im not strong enough to do it myself.

Jodi - posted on 02/08/2009

I have had the same prob for years my son is now 5 years old and still i cant convince him to take it. If he needs panadol i but it in milk with quick call it a milkshake, and he will drink it, but im sure it is not as effective that way. Iv tryed bribing him and being harsh and threatening to take things away from him that he loves, toy, events ect, but that dosnt work, my child is to stubbon to respond to that. but im sure if it were a pill i would have no hope, of getting anything in him.

Pamela - posted on 02/08/2009

Another little trick is once you have got the medicine in their mouth rub the bit between there nose and lip it encourages them to swallow whatever is in there mouth.

Kelli - posted on 02/05/2009

My trick was to crush up pills and mix them with something the kids really like, such as yogurt, pudding, or apple sauce, and give them a small dish and tell them if they eat all their "treat" they can have a book read to them or watch a movie, something like that.  Don't let them know there's medicine in it!

Miranda - posted on 02/05/2009

I have the same problem with my daughter. She will be three on the 15th. I put the liquids in her juice and that doesn't usually work. So I tried chewables and sometimes it works other times it doesn't. I know how you feel.

Stacey - posted on 02/05/2009

sorry one more...looked it up...I believe it is cefdinir

Joelle - posted on 02/05/2009

I am a pharmacist and I have 3 kids, and one (my 6-year-old with cystic fibrosis) takes everything like a champ. My other two put up a fight--regardless of what it is. If it's a liquid, I recommend having your husband or other adult hold him still, and keep his legs and arms from moving (and swatting/kicking you). Then, you take the medicine (hopefully it's in a syringe) and hold his mouth open, and you squirt it in! Right at the back of his throat! Then he'll probably make a gagging noise, but it'll get swallowed!



I've done this with my own kids, and I will tell you that you absolutely have permission to do this! Do NOT feel like you are abusing or hurting your child in any way! It is for his own good, so just keep repeating it to yourself as much as you have to. My husband is a family practice MD and sees plenty of kids, and his advice is the same.



Chewables and capsules present a different type of problem. Crushing chewables and mixing it in with pudding or applesauce is an option, but it is harder to actually force down than a liquid. I only like chewables if the child will take medicine without a fight.



I have tasted just about every liquid medicine there is, and I know that some of them are pretty nasty. I have also used a spoonful of sno-cone syrup or chocolate syrup to "chase" it after my kids have swallowed the medicine. Just remember that holding the child still is okay!



Good luck!

Stacey - posted on 02/05/2009

Wanted to add, the flavorings they put in other antibiotics are not the same as what's in this med I'm talking about. When we have gotten it, it came in a glass bottle rather than a plastic if that matters any for a description for a dr.

Stacey - posted on 02/05/2009

We have the exact same problem with our 2 1/2. The best thing our doctor did was switch his med to I think it's called cefadyl (could be wrong here it's been a while since he needed it). This stuff tastes AMAZING!! Like a strawberry blast smoothie. My son wouldn't take it from a spoon or dropper because he knew what came in those things, but we could mix it in a bottle of berry flavored water and he'd drink it without batting a lash.

Ask your doc about the medicine that tastes like real strawberries. And you're right, the meds won't work if he doesn't get it all. He'll feel better for a while, but then it will come right back. And don't let them make you feel like a bad mom for not being able to get him to take it. They're not the ones having to pretty much torture your child by force-feeding him this stuff. It is a horrible experience for you and your child. Trust me I know.

Diane - posted on 02/05/2009

Have you tried to bribe him? *laughs* tell him if he takes it for the day you will allow him to go get a special toy or something he really wants? That use to work for me...

Pamela - posted on 02/05/2009

Hi Beth

If it is a liquid mix it in with his drink (only a small amount of drink though to make sure he gets it all) some medicines will tell you on the pack or bottle if they can be mixed in with food or liquids. Otherwise you could try adding it too food. You could also try letting him dip his finger in it first too see if he likes it.

Dawn - posted on 02/05/2009

My doctor gave me little liquid surringes. We get my daughter to say ah or get her to laugh than shoot it in her mouth.

Catherine - posted on 02/05/2009

sometimes u have to be cruel to b kind my boy was like that it got to stage were i had to pin him down and force with syring alittle at a time in side of mouth know he ta

kes it fine as he never liked me doing it but the hospitial told me i had to cos he was very ill and needed it good luck

Christine - posted on 02/05/2009

Is it a pill?  Can you dissolve it in a drink for him, or mix it in his food?