https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 14 Apr 2026 09:40:55 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-refused-to-take-antibiotics-and-tylernoladvil-need-support/page/2#post-2200991 Sat, 06 Jun 2015 14:22:13 +0000 lemondrop 2200991@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Bummer about the diarrhea, but great job Mama! I know if I didn't have job experience of every single one of my patients being unwilling to take their meds, I would be much more sensitive to fighting my kiddos. But I am so glad he was able to communicate his problem and that you guys could find a compromise! </p> <p>I know it is frustrating, but just remember that you are a great mom and you always have his best interest at heart. Happy, healing thoughts his way :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-refused-to-take-antibiotics-and-tylernoladvil-need-support/page/2#post-2200970 Sat, 06 Jun 2015 13:20:03 +0000 irene 2200970@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yesterday after he woke up from the nap, I tried to force the rest of the dose of antibiotics with a syringe while holding him down.... he SPITS it all out and cried. I kinda gave up at that point and thought I'll do that again at night. </p> <p>HOWEVER, he was still very warm, like 102.9 after an hour and a half on Advil. And he was very very sick. It really freaked me out and between calling the nurses and talking to my dentist friend, I forced him a dose of Tylenol in. That one he was able to swallow it. So it has to do with the texture and flavor because I was able to force Advil and Tylenol, which is a good thing at least. I gave him a cold shower and thankfully he was down to 100-101. Still not very well. I was almost taking him to urgent care but he got better in the evening and his temperature got way down. I made an appointment to take him in this (saturday) morning regardless.</p> <p>So back to the antibiotics, I talked to the nurse and she approved that I could break one dose into 3 small doses and usually they take it better, together with other suggestions. Last night, after the unsuccessful and painful forcing of the antibiotics, DS actually attempted to explain to me that the reason why he gagged was because the dose was too big (1.5 tsp). He said he wanted "just a little bit" and I said that's OK, but you have to take it 3 times. After a long time of back and forth, we were able to take all 3 doses of half a tsp each!</p> <p>The antibiotics created a serious problem though he had a serious diahrrea and he had gone to the bathroom for at least 6-10 times in 24 hours. Pooping watery stool. Just this morning he got up at 4am to poop once, and pooped 3 times within 1 hour after he woke up. The antibiotics doesn't seem to be doing anything and I have been doubting all along that it was a bacteria infection.</p> <p>So we went in this morning and talked to the doc (it was the same doc that gave him the antibiotics) and I asked if we could even stop the antibiotics because it didn't seem to do anything to make him better but rather, giving him another problem of diarrhea. The doc checked him out and said let's give him a break of 48 hours. And if he takes a turn for the worse we can restart on the antibiotics. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-refused-to-take-antibiotics-and-tylernoladvil-need-support/page/2#post-2200964 Sat, 06 Jun 2015 12:57:21 +0000 irene 2200964@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thank you so much all!! I read every post and I apologize if I didn't reply personally:</p> <p>@lemondrop: Haha that reminds me of my cat!! I guess eventually I will do that down the road</p> <p>@Mrs. Jump Rope: Wow this is so, so helpful to know... so a person can never get a fever of 107? It gives me some "closure" though psychologically so I won't be so stressed out anymore.</p> <p>@Wonderstruck: I am in the same boat. Yesterday after I read the comments here, I attempted to force the half a dose of antibiotics to him. He opened wide when crying and a squirted it in.. and he spitted it all out :-( I was able to force him on advil and tylernol so far. Thanks for the creative tip too!!</p> <p>Lady Grey: @808LOVE: The phone nurse suggested suppositories.... I didn't have any at home but I would imagine he would fight that even more. The thing is he has less of a problem with advil/tylernol but it's the yucky antibiotics that creates the problem.</p> <p>@Lady Grey: @chopstixwife: I will definitely try chocolate milk, chocolate syrup, and ice-cream next time.... Need to keep some of those in stock. The problem is every time when he suddenly got sick I'd be strapped in the house my husband is either traveling and such and it would be difficult for me to go get some chocolate milk. But will definitely keep some chocolate syrup at home.</p> <p>@JerricaBenton: That is a good idea!!</p> <p>@T-Mom: I tried that and didn't work :(</p> <p>@Corduroy: I didn't know they make chewables for tylenol! I must get some of those. That may solve the problem. He loves his chewable vitamins and even probiotics! He thought those were treats.</p> <p>@MrsRcCar: Amoxicillin.</p> <p>I will write an update on a next post.... if you care to read :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-refused-to-take-antibiotics-and-tylernoladvil-need-support/page/2#post-2200941 Sat, 06 Jun 2015 11:37:05 +0000 MrsRcCar 2200941@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@irene: what kind of antibiotics is your LO on? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-refused-to-take-antibiotics-and-tylernoladvil-need-support/page/2#post-2200879 Sat, 06 Jun 2015 08:28:44 +0000 ALV91711 2200879@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DS had an ear infection last month and refused medicine, we would hold him down and force it in but he would spit it out.</p> <p>So we tried mixing it in his milk. Drank it no problem. He always has a cup of milk in the morning and one before bed so I knew he'd get it all. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-refused-to-take-antibiotics-and-tylernoladvil-need-support/page/2#post-2200874 Sat, 06 Jun 2015 08:15:01 +0000 lisa1783 2200874@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Why would you ever feel bad about forcing a toddler to take medicine if it makes him physically better? Just because he's crying? EVERYTHING makes toddlers cry. ;) It's like saying you would only strap one arm of the car seat in because you feel bad that he wants to get out. Just force it in and hell get better and you don't have to battle anymore. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-refused-to-take-antibiotics-and-tylernoladvil-need-support/page/2#post-2200659 Fri, 05 Jun 2015 20:29:17 +0000 Corduroy 2200659@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My LO recently started gagging and vomiting on Tylenol. We switched to the chewable/meltable tablets. I think the minimum age is 2. She loves those. That doesn't solve the antibiotics but it is one less thing to wrestle her on and seems to make dosing other things (like antibiotics) easier. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-refused-to-take-antibiotics-and-tylernoladvil-need-support/page/2#post-2200628 Fri, 05 Jun 2015 19:44:01 +0000 T-Mom 2200628@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When my DD was little and she was irrational we strapped her in the high chair, tilted back, and forced it down. We only had to do this once or twice before she realized we were serious and it would be easier to just do it willingly. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-refused-to-take-antibiotics-and-tylernoladvil-need-support/page/2#post-2200577 Fri, 05 Jun 2015 18:02:45 +0000 JerricaBenton 2200577@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Lo is a little over two, so maybe your lo might not fall for it, but she needed some medicine and I told her it was winnie the pooh's honey and she begged for it lol. Otherwise I'd try and make it a game, bribe with a sweet or something she really wants, or force it if need be. Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-refused-to-take-antibiotics-and-tylernoladvil-need-support/page/2#post-2200573 Fri, 05 Jun 2015 17:31:51 +0000 chopstixwife 2200573@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>my eldest takes meds like a champ. straight from the portion cup with no problem. loves that stuff. </p> <p>my middle, he ran a fever yesterday and we tried mixing ibuprofen in chocolate milk which usually works but didn't so the next favorite. SODA! Mixed it with soda in a small sippy cup and drank it like a pro! Any liquid in them is better than none. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-refused-to-take-antibiotics-and-tylernoladvil-need-support#post-2200562 Fri, 05 Jun 2015 17:04:06 +0000 808love 2200562@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I highly recommend suppositories. It's not as bad as you think. Just gotta work up the courage.<br /> Another suggestion is two bites ice cream, squirt to the back, then another chaser of ice cream. We actually use strawberry sorbet. Totally works though and my daughter was a fighter/puker when it came to medicine.The mouth is numb and doesn't taste a thing. She willingly does it now. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-refused-to-take-antibiotics-and-tylernoladvil-need-support#post-2200558 Fri, 05 Jun 2015 16:48:13 +0000 lady grey 2200558@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For mixing I would use chocolate syrup or ice cream. One option to consider for the Tylenol/Advil would be to do Tylenol suppositories. Not plesent I know but might actually be easier then trying to get him to swallow the meds </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-refused-to-take-antibiotics-and-tylernoladvil-need-support#post-2200548 Fri, 05 Jun 2015 16:29:13 +0000 mrbee 2200548@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@wonderstruck: That is a fantastic tip, thank you!!</p> <p>I wonder if it could be adapted for brushing teeth too... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-refused-to-take-antibiotics-and-tylernoladvil-need-support#post-2200539 Fri, 05 Jun 2015 16:22:38 +0000 avivoca 2200539@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We force it if need be. Luckily, she is usually a good medicine taker, but if not then I force it with the syringe. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-refused-to-take-antibiotics-and-tylernoladvil-need-support#post-2200536 Fri, 05 Jun 2015 16:14:55 +0000 lemondrop 2200536@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@autumnlove: exactly, forcing him in the past hadn't scarred him for life, he actually takes meds pretty well now after wrestling the first dose in. I'm all for trying to find creative ways to get it in, but rarely have I had luck hiding it in other things and not have him stop halfway through. I do love @MsMini: 's talk it through after suggestion! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-refused-to-take-antibiotics-and-tylernoladvil-need-support#post-2200534 Fri, 05 Jun 2015 16:12:47 +0000 wonderstruck 2200534@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just went through this - couldn't even force it because he would refuse to breathe or swallow until he had a chance to spit or let it leak out. A couple of times he even made himself throw up. And he wouldn't finish anything I mixed it in! He had a fever and a double ear infection, it was awful.</p> <p>What worked for us was actually incredibly easy. A friend suggested it and I was shocked that it worked. I put the medicine in one of the little cups and sat next to him. Just sat it there and played until he was calm. Then I dipped my finger into the medicine and let him lick it off. He thought that was hilarious and did this several times. Then I started pretending to take sips, making lots of silly sound effects and slurps as I did so. Then I'd hold it up to his mouth and he would do it. Started off with it not actually touching his lips and gradually got closer and closer until he was more comfortable, and eventually he really drank it! The whole thing took about five minutes and we've had zero medicine problems since. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-refused-to-take-antibiotics-and-tylernoladvil-need-support#post-2200532 Fri, 05 Jun 2015 16:09:35 +0000 Mrs. Jump Rope 2200532@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@irene: Fevers with infections don't cause brain damage. Only body temperatures above 108° F (42° C) can cause brain damage. The body temperature climbs this high only with extreme environmental temperatures (for example, if a child is confined to a closed car in hot weather)</p> <p>Chloe once had a 105.5* fever and had a febrile seizure. </p> <p>We lucked out &amp; she doesn't fight too hard with medicine. Omnicef, I think, tastes disgusting. She takes sips of the medicine from a medicine cup and sips of water. We "race" to see if she can finish the medicine before the timer goes off. </p> <p>With Charlotte, I mixed it in oatmeal. I would use the medicine dropper to drop 2drops onto a spoon of oatmeal. That way, I could ensure she took a full dose. I would put all 2ml into her oatmeal purée in fear she wouldn't finish the food!</p> <p>Whatever she didn't finish I had to force on her. I'd squirt in the back of her cheek &amp; blow on her face. It started her and made her swallow! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-refused-to-take-antibiotics-and-tylernoladvil-need-support#post-2200528 Fri, 05 Jun 2015 16:03:51 +0000 mrbee 2200528@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would also force it. I would wrap him up like a burrito in a towel, and then squirt the antibiotics down his throat. I liked the ideas to tilt him and also to hold his mouth closed after the meds go in for a little while. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-refused-to-take-antibiotics-and-tylernoladvil-need-support#post-2200519 Fri, 05 Jun 2015 15:45:22 +0000 MamaBehr 2200519@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@irene: DD had a nasty UTI in the fall and REFUSED to take the medicine (she was 4.5 years old!) and the ONLY way I could get her to take it was to use food dye and lie about the medicine. She would spit it out or throw it up if I forced her, but if I tricked her into taking it by coloring it and then bribing her (it was Christmas time, so she got a candy cane after she took it), she FINALLY took it. I wish I could force my kids to take medicine, but they just spit it out or throw it up, so I have to use smoke and mirrors. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-refused-to-take-antibiotics-and-tylernoladvil-need-support#post-2200509 Fri, 05 Jun 2015 15:34:32 +0000 MsMini 2200509@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am on team "force the med" as well. Sometimes a 1/3 or 1/2 dose is as bad or worse than no med at all! When I had to force treatment on DS I swaddled him in an oversized blanket, laid him back over my lap and forced it in his mouth. Not pretty, but we talked about it after and I let him know that if he agreed to take it himself I wouldn't have to do it that way again. Luckily he took his meds as requested after that! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-refused-to-take-antibiotics-and-tylernoladvil-need-support#post-2200508 Fri, 05 Jun 2015 15:31:43 +0000 hotchildinthecity 2200508@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lemondrop: I love this. This is literally how I got my child to put up with brushing his teeth. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-refused-to-take-antibiotics-and-tylernoladvil-need-support#post-2200504 Fri, 05 Jun 2015 15:28:48 +0000 kiddosc 2200504@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I know you're skeptical... but we aren't able to give our 3 year old medicine from the syringe anymore, he fights like a rabid cat. We pour the medicine into one of the little dosing cups and he just drinks it no problem. I think you should try giving it to him like a big boy, in a cup or on a spoon. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-refused-to-take-antibiotics-and-tylernoladvil-need-support#post-2200503 Fri, 05 Jun 2015 15:26:08 +0000 autumnlove 2200503@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lemondrop: my kids are ok with meds now but we had to wrap with towel and force in the past! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-refused-to-take-antibiotics-and-tylernoladvil-need-support#post-2200501 Fri, 05 Jun 2015 15:18:22 +0000 lemondrop 2200501@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My husband and I are both in the vet field- if he's going to act like an animal, we treat him like one. We wrap his ass up in a towel like a bad cat and force him. (Edit: when he's irrational), he's not big enough or smart enough to make decisions like this, so we have to do it for him. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-refused-to-take-antibiotics-and-tylernoladvil-need-support#post-2200459 Fri, 05 Jun 2015 14:39:52 +0000 Mamasig 2200459@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@irene: no idea. But I remember my mom chasing my brother around to take his medicine for a long time! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-refused-to-take-antibiotics-and-tylernoladvil-need-support#post-2200418 Fri, 05 Jun 2015 14:06:27 +0000 irene 2200418@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mamasig: Thank you so much for the reassurance! I guess I am constantly worried that I am mentally abusing and scarring him as in forcing him to take medication. I guess I am not. OK I will do it.</p> <p>@looch: I'll asked them about it too ..... why haven't they called me yet???</p> <p>Do you guys know by any chance when is this uncooperative behavior going to stop? 4 or 5? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-refused-to-take-antibiotics-and-tylernoladvil-need-support#post-2200415 Fri, 05 Jun 2015 14:04:07 +0000 Mamasig 2200415@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We force it. No way around it if he doesn't take it willingly. If you hold him back long enough he'll swallow most of it. The tough part of being a parent! We also aim the syringe far back in his mouth. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-refused-to-take-antibiotics-and-tylernoladvil-need-support#post-2200410 Fri, 05 Jun 2015 13:59:51 +0000 looch 2200410@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@irene: my son was on something where he needed to take 2 large doses on day 1 and 2 and then smaller doses for days 3-5.</p> <p>My son spit out the first dose, there was no denying he didn't swallow anything of it. I called the nurse at the ped's office and she called in a top up. Now, when we get antibiotics, we get a larger dose with instructions for the original smaller dose, with extra at the end that we dispose of. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-refused-to-take-antibiotics-and-tylernoladvil-need-support#post-2200407 Fri, 05 Jun 2015 13:58:34 +0000 irene 2200407@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You guys are so awesome. What am I going to do without you all??? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-refused-to-take-antibiotics-and-tylernoladvil-need-support#post-2200402 Fri, 05 Jun 2015 13:54:14 +0000 turkeylurkey 2200402@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@irene: that's the way day 1 went for me too. I didn't want to force him and would maybe get only 2ml in him instead of the 7ml dose. I even tried putting 1-2 ml in his milk. I finally just said screw it he's miserable and I'm miserable and just forced it. Good luck! </p>