Just a spoon full of sugar...

Last year was my first time dealing with a child who refused medicine because of taste.  Scientists can put a man on the moon but they can't formulate palatable children's medicine.  The pharmacist mixes in flavoring, and then acts as though my child is the only one who doesn't tolerate the flavor.  Come on.  Really?

I'm not fundamentally opposed to forcing healing antibiotics down my sick kid's throat, although it does feel like waterbaording.   Ok, so that may be a bit of an exaggeration, but I certainly feel as though I am betraying my little bub.  After all, mommy's job is to protect, and here I am pinning him down while he chokes down some awful stuff. 

I'm not one to bribe, ever, but in a moment of desperation I even tried lavish treats when Freddie refused antibiotic.  Even that did not work.  I pried apart those lips and got the dropper down his throat and he promptly returned it in my lap via puke.  Even when he kept some down or managed a few sips of juice or Sprite with medicine mixed in, it was never a full dose and there's no telling how much he even got.  Good times, I tell you. 

I knew when Hans had oral steroids and antibiotic to take we'd have to come up with a plan.  I tried a bribe, and again no dice.  Force again resulted in puking.  Dr. Sears' method of creating  pocket in the cheek and slowly dropping in medicine while avoiding it landing on the tongue (while he was pinned down) worked, but it took forever and lots of crying ensued. 

Finally, Charlie mixed the antibiotic and steroid doses with Hersey's syrup and handed the dose over in the syringe.  The child slurped it down, and wanted more. Yep, it was that easy. 

So if you should land here via googling "how to get my child/toddler not to spit out antibiotic," you have my sympathies because I know it was a rocky road that brought you here but the answer to your problems is just a supermarket trip away.