Oh my, there's nothing more difficult than giving this little one some medicine! You put the medicine in his mouth, and he spits it all out. This is a problem that many parents face. But don't worry. The best and safest way to give liquid medicine to a little baby is to use an oral syringe. This may seem a little difficult, but today we're going to talk about ways to make it an easy, friendly experience for both of you.
First, read the medicine label carefully!
This is the most important thing. You need to know exactly how much medicine to give your baby and how many times a day. Read the label on the medicine bottle carefully and follow the instructions exactly . If you are giving an over-the-counter medicine from a pharmacy, make sure to give the correct dose for your baby's weight . If you have any doubts about this, ask your doctor before giving the medicine.
Another important thing is to check whether the dosage is given in kilograms or pounds. These are very different measurements. If you make a mistake and switch, you could give your baby too much or too little medicine. So be very careful about this.
How do you measure the exact dose of medicine?
Usually, a syringe comes with the medicine package for small babies, which can be used to give liquid medicine. Sometimes, a measuring cup or a dosing spoon may be included . Always use the measuring devices that come with the medicine. Never use regular teaspoons or rice spoons that you find in the kitchen. Because those spoons come in different sizes, there is a great chance that you will give your baby more or less medicine.
Simply put, a syringe is the most accurate and easiest way to accurately measure medication.
If the medicine box doesn't have one, or if you've lost the one you have, you can buy an oral syringe from a pharmacy. When buying a syringe, look for the measurement clearly marked in milliliters (ml) on the side. Some syringes hold 2 ml, while others hold 15 ml, so don't fill the syringe to the top. Take the correct dose exactly where the line is. If possible, choose a syringe that can hold the entire dose you want to give your baby at once. This way, you won't have to draw up the medicine twice or thrice, which will be less of a hassle for your baby.
Okay, now how do you give the baby medicine?
We know this can be a bit stressful. But there are ways to make it easier. Let's see what works best for you and your baby. If one method doesn't work, try another.
| Ways to try | What you need to do is simple. |
|---|---|
| Make time for a meal a little earlier. | Give your baby medicine at bedtime or a little before a meal. Your baby is more likely to swallow the medicine because he is hungry. If your baby cries after you give him medicine, giving him some milk will help him calm down. (Important: Some medicines are not recommended to be given before meals. So always check with your doctor.) |
| Lay the baby down. | When giving medicine, place your baby upright on your lap, or hold him upright in your hand, as if he were lying on your lap. This will help prevent the medicine from getting stuck in his throat. Never tilt his head back. This can make it difficult to swallow and cause choking. |
| Let the syringe suck. | Place the tip of the syringe in the baby's mouth and let him suck it himself. While the baby sucks, press the plunger of the syringe down very firmly. Watch carefully to make sure he swallows the medicine. Don't give too much at once. |
| Put some medicine in your mouth. | When you rub your baby's cheek, he will open his mouth. Place the syringe inside his mouth and put a few drops of the medicine on the back of his tongue or between his cheek and gums. After he swallows it, put some more. Do this until it's all gone. |
| Mix with food | If your baby is a solid eater and doesn't like the syringe at all, you can mix the medicine with some food. However, be sure to ask your doctor if it's okay to give the medicine with food. Put the medicine in something like mashed banana or yogurt. But don't put it in a pile of food, put it in small amounts. Otherwise, if your baby doesn't eat all of it, you won't get the full dose of medicine. Most importantly: Never put medicine in a bottle. If you do, your baby may start to refuse to drink milk. |
Always be optimistic.
When giving medicine , say nice things like, "Oh, good baby," "Here's the medicine." If you're nervous or scared, your baby will sense it too. So do this calmly, smilingly. Then taking medicine will stop being a scary and bad experience for your baby.
What do you do if your baby won't take his medicine?
Most of the time, one of the methods we discussed above will work. But sometimes babies don't want to take their medicine at all, or they spit it out even when they do. This could be because of the taste of the medicine. So ask your doctor about flavored medicines. For example, there are antibiotic syrups that come in banana flavors.
But if none of these things work and the doctor has prescribed a prescription medicine, we have to follow a somewhat strict, yet gentle approach.
- First, place the baby upright on your lap.
- Take some medicine in a syringe and inject it into the inside of your cheek.
- To prevent the medicine from coming out, hold their chin tightly and keep their mouth closed.
- To help your baby swallow, gently stroke your hand down the back of his throat.
- Repeat these steps until the entire dose is given.
If your baby cries, comfort him by holding him and giving him his favorite toy. Always try to speak in a calm, soft voice.
When do you need to see the doctor?
In many cases, this problem can be solved by trying different methods. However, if you have tried all these and your baby is not taking the medicine, or if it seems that your baby's condition is getting worse, don't delay any longer .
In such a case, talk to your doctor immediately . He will give you the best solution for this.
Take-Home Message
- Always use an oral syringe to give liquid medicine to your baby. Avoid using kitchen spoons.
- Read the medicine label carefully and measure the correct dose for your baby's weight. If in doubt, ask your doctor.
- Keep the baby in an upright position when giving medicine. This will prevent choking.
- Do not aim the syringe directly into the throat, but place the medicine on the inside of the cheek.
- Do not mix medication into your baby's milk bottle for any reason.
- If you have any concerns or fears about medication, don't hesitate to talk to your doctor.
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