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Tips & Tricks: Getting kids to take antibiotics

7/16/2014

 
PictureLittle Miss with a cold.
Do you ever think the universe is trying to tell you something? Like, “Hey, Emily, get off your lazy bum! You’re supposed to be running a blog, duh.” Apparently the universe is still in its teenage stage.

It took some serious sickness but I did it! I wrote something! And I still made dinner! (I am pretty much Super Mom.) Little Miss was lucky enough to get a cold a couple of weeks ago (who gets a cold when it is a bazillion degrees outside? Toddlers, that’s who.) The mucus cascading out of her nose then traveled to her ears and, after way too much time at the doctor’s office, we had her first ever confirmed ear infection and her first ever course of the “pink stuff” (aka amoxicillin). While Little Miss’ suffering broke my heart (I’m a wuss of a mother), I was “excited” for the chance to test—and pass on to you—a couple of techniques I had seen for getting medicine into little bodies. 


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My first experiment was from Pinterest (aka the black hole into which all my free time disappears). I had seen this labeling technique and I originally loved that it could help make sure none of the doses got missed, especially when the dosing responsibility rests with more than one person. Now I have another reason to love it—ten days is a long time. Checking off those boxes gave me the encouragement I needed to make it through.



PictureOur "juice" setup.
My second experiment actually came from the package insert (those papers covered with tiny print that come in all of your pharmacy bags). The insert suggests mixing the “pink stuff” with a variety of liquids to mask the flavor. I knew applesauce wouldn’t work because Little Miss has caught on to our “magic applesauce” trick and now refuses to eat applesauce. Oops. But the insert also suggested ginger-ale which I thought would have the added advantage of bubbles to cover up any medicine flavor. I had already tried giving the first dose plain and it was an awful experience I was loath to repeat. The ginger ale worked wonders. She asks for her “juice” every morning (and several times throughout the day). For those of you that can read, the pictured can is actually lemon-lime soda but it works too (we ran out of ginger ale). 

I know there are a lot of people out there with strong opinions about giving kids soda but, I feel, the possibility of getting her healthy is worth the risk of giving her an ounce or two of soda each day. (Little Miss is one of those treasures who can vomit up medicine even after you think it is safely down.) When the amoxicillin is gone she will be back to water and crusts of bread. Ha. 

Two successes! I would recommend either of these to anyone who needs help remembering all their kid’s doses or anyone who needs a way to “help the medicine go down.” (FYI I would actually recommend doing anything you can to avoid kids getting sick in the first place. Ick.) 

Tune in next time to find out the surprise silver lining to this whole experience! It’s pretty awesome. 

JaNae link
7/17/2014 01:13:50 am

Love it. Much better than 'a spoonful of sugar' which NEVER worked.

White Coat Mom
7/18/2014 01:54:50 pm

I can attest to that!


Comments are closed.
    DISCLAIMER
    All information provided is subject to the writer's opinion and possible error. There is NO substitute for the opinion of your primary care physician. 

    WHO AM I?

    I'm Emily, former pharmacist and current mom. (I got promoted!) I love helping people find answers to their questions--especially when it comes to the health of their children! 

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