2 Yr Old Won't Take Medicine

Does anyone have suggestions on how to get a 2 year old (28months) to take medicine? He has a fever and I've been trying to get some Tylenol in him all day. He becomes hysterical, gags and throws up the medicine. I use a medicine syringe and try to squirt in into his cheeks to avoid the gag reflex, but it hasn't worked. He isn't eating much so it's hard to hide it in anything.

Thanks!
E.

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So What Happened?™

Oh my gosh, the Mammas on here are amazing. Thanks for all the suggestions. Thankfully his fever is down, because he wanted nothing to do with foods like yogurt or applesauce today that I could hide meds in. I tried mixing it in milk--of course he took one sip and was all done. I had never heard of the suppositories. Though I'm hoping we never need them, I did pick up a box of Feverall as well as a box of Tylenol meltaways to have on hand just in case. This board is such a great resource. Thanks again! E.

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M.M. answers from Boston on July 28, 2008

i agree with the mom who said to try a different flavor/type of medicine. that's worked with both of my children. also, they like when i add some water to the liquid medicine. one other suggestion that you may want to ask your doctor about first -- if the fever is not high enough to be dangerous, you might just let it burn. the fever is the body's way of fighting back, and sometimes (or so my doctors have told me) it's good to let it take its course.

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R.B. answers from Boston on July 28, 2008

I work in a daycare center and have a 13 yr son. I have seen my fair share of children not wanting to take medicine.Have you tried adding the medicine to juice or milk? This will sometimes work, but in order for your son to get the full dose of medicine, you should only give him an ounce or two of the liquid. I have also known parents who have given the medicine when the child was sleeping. Chewable tylenol may also work. The only other option for fever would be a suppository. I had to use them with my son once when he wasn't holding anything down and had a fever. Hope something I have said will helped.

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P.H. answers from Boston on July 28, 2008

I had a tough time as well when my 3 yr old was that age. I would mix it with her juice and she would drink it that way. Other then that you may want to try the Feverall. Good luck.
P.

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R.D. answers from Boston on July 28, 2008

what if you try mixing it with a small amount of ice cream or yogurt, Just not too much so you know he'll finish it all. Yo can use the infants concentrated drops so there is less liquid-just be sure of converting the dosage correctly.