Whether you child is sick or just teething there will come a time when you'll have to give your baby medicine. Ever tried it? It's no easy task. Personally, I'd probably rather cuddle with a porcupine... But hey, it has to be done, so we have some tricks for you to stick up your sleeve.
1. Feed them ice chips prior to giving them their medicine.
This will numb their little taste buds a little and make the yucky medicine more tolerable.2. Let gravity help you.
If you are giving the medicine orally, tilt their body so that the medicine will not run out of their mouth. If you are giving them eye drops, lay down beside them and and aim for the inner corner of the eye. Even if they close their eyes some of the medicine will still get in once they open them. At that point tilt their head the opposite way so that the medicine runs in.3. Warm eye drops in your hand prior to administering.
The shock of a cold eye drop might upset them further so do them a favor and warm them to body temp.4. Diguise it!
Some medicine can be added to their bottle so that it has a diluted flavor that your baby won't notice. Be sure yo check with your pharmacist to see if this is an option for your particular medicine.5. Avoid the tongue.
When you are feeding your baby their medicine the more taste buds that you can avoid the better. Put the syringe as far back/to the side as you can. This also kind of forces them to swallow instead of spit it back at you--BONUS!6. Do it quickly.
There is a lot less chance of them spitting the medicine back at you if you give them the whole dose in a short amount of time.7. Have a binky ready.
Giving them a pacifier immediately after giving medicine orally will help them to swallow it.8. Make it a game.
When you are giving your baby eye drops use the element of surprise to your advantage. Don't show them the medicine, just start playing a game of peek-a-boo and them give them the drops mid game.9. Have an assistant.
It is quiet helpful to have another adult there to help you distract them or hold them down (I promise you are not a bad parent for holding your baby down).10. Have something to wash it down ready.
Having a drink or a treat to chase the bad taste a way is a huge help. Be sure to check with your pharmacist to see if food or drink can be taken with your particular medicine.Good luck!
XOXO,
Written by: Natalie Gubler
