Nanny To The Rescue: How Do I Make My Baby Take Her Drugs With Less Fuss?

Our in-house nanny answers your baby, toddler and preschooler questions…

Q: My 8-month-old baby is a bit sickly and it’s so tough giving her any medicine, except some of her multivitamins. Any helpful tips I can apply?

This is usual with most babies. Ask her paediatrician if such drugs can be prescribed in a flavour she likes or mixed with something sweet. This can make swallowing the drugs with less fuss possible.

If you try this and she still doesn’t co-operate, get someone to help while administering the drugs. Wrap her tightly in a towel to limit her movements. Press her cheeks gently to open her mouth and administer the drug. After this, hold her cheeks together gently, making a ‘fish kiss’ to stop her from spitting out the medicine. Then, stroke under her chin to help with swallowing.

Talk to her paediatrician for more help.

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