My kids so far have been pretty good whenever needed Panadol, nurofen or Antibiotics. One had severe reflux so had issues as a young baby for a while as hated the syringe – but I think even tho she was young, she must’ve connected somehow that it was ‘good’ as she suddenly started taking it without any fuss at all. (Mind u I would too if I had reflux that severe – anything to stop it I’d open my mouth for, lol).
My only ‘tricks’ were dependent on age – toddler & older I’d have a spoon ready with yogurt, or sometimes a dab of honey and literally squirt the syringe in when they opened up for the spoon. Mixing them must’ve hidden the taste. Also if it was a medication that could b mixed (always checked wth GP and pharmacy) I’d mix on a spoon again wth yoghurt or ice cream, Vegemite (gross I know!) or even rice malt syrup. Milk was another good one. They drank or had milk in a bottle or sippy (dependant on age again). My older kids I give them a chewy probiotic so it masks the taste of the liquid. And happy to admit I’ve used a jelly bean or smartie too – bribery worth it when medication is needed.

But also when all else has failed, I’ve also had to pull myself together & hold them tightly and use the syringe to squirt straight down the throat or what worked better I learnt was straight into the side of their cheek but facing towards throat. If squired really quickly that would work as quickly into the cheek is very hard to spit out & it killed me when they cried but this also helped as it meant they had to swallow to get another breath to cry. Everytime it was awful & this was my absolute last resort, and I didn’t do it if I didn’t have to. Panadol, nurofen etc I waited & tried a few mins later after cuddles. But Antibiotics or reflux medication or one of my kids needed medication 5 times a day at the exact same time everyday for CF, so medications that time and dose were crucial I did have to ‘force’ and squirt while holding their little arms tight & through tears & screaming at times.

This idea is great too through the bottle. But once not babies & older like toddler or primary age, I never tried to hide medication as I believe once they knew (and they always figured it out!!) that it would cause other issues.

Giving a child medication can be difficult & I didn’t want to add to it by ‘pretending or hiding’ in a juice box as in the story. But I’m not above bribery like a lolly or chewy! I’m fortunate my kids generally didn’t mind, but have had newphews I’ve had to give medication & they absolutely hated it. Not sure it’s great, but now my kids as for medicine if a sibling is ill – 1 needs & the others ask too! I’m Not parent of the year lol.

I tried this with my 8 week old and it worked great! I’ve got older kids – 1 who I can’t bribe, threaten or any other way get to take medication & 2 others who actually love it & ask for medicine when they aren’t sick & cry when the other one is sick and they don’t get medicine themselves! Kids are all different. My difficult one I end up giving a lolly or gummie under her tounge, squirt the medicine down back of throat & make it a ‘game’ that she holds her lolly down with her tounge therefore medicare goes straight down & no spitting out or refusing to open mouth. She then sucks on the lolly/gummies. Treat plus medicine- winner!

I think I’ve seen things like this at the chemist

Very smart indeed, thanks for sharing.

What a brilliant solution to a sticky and messy problem. Will definitely be passing this on

I wish I’d thought of this when my children were little. They were obsessed with their dummies but hated medicine!

Wish I knew this when my kids were babies, would have prevented much heartache-especially since my premmie twins needed medicine on a daily basis until they were a year old!!

Wish ild seen this when my kids were young. So simple and easy

I’m lucky my kids are fine taking medicine, would be harder to do it this way for us. Great she found a solution though

Great idea ! Simple and effective ! I’ll have to let my daughter know !

Good thinking ! We have the problem here that the kids love medicine too much !!

I could use a trick for 10yr olds!!

Great idea. I was lucky my daughter was good with medicine. Still to this day (at 6) she’s still pretty good.

I wish I’d known about this when bottles still existed in my life! If there’s a tip for 4 year olds someone please post it!

What a great idea! Now if only there was something for stubborn 2yr olds!

A very smart mum l must say! Well done!

What a great idea. We were lucky and never had an issue with giving our son medicine. He became quite used to the syring and would open his mouth for it.

I actually have a little medicine cup with a teat attachment specifically for this. That said, none of my kids like medicine so it’s always been a battle anyway!

I was lucky – all my kids actually LIKED taking medicine.

What a really good idea, and so obvious too once you see it.