Just wondering if any of you have any tips or tricks to give eye drops to a 2.5 year old. We are dealing with pink eye and the dr. prescribed drops. We've only done two doses so far and is has NOT gone well. Screaming, squeezing his eyes shut, rolling around, etc. I've managed to get the drops in each time (I think!) and they already seem to be helping, but I can't say I'm looking forward to doing this 4 times a day for the next 4 or 5 days! Anything that has worked for any of you moms out there??? Thanks!
THANK YOU, MAMAS!! I started using the technique of having him close his eyes, put the drop in the corner of his eye and let him blink to get the drop in. Also, I broke out the bag of mini-marshmallows--one marshmallow for each eye if he cooperates. He doesn't love getting the drops (what kid would???), but he's doing a much better job and I think we just might make it through these couple of days of eye drops. Whew! Thanks again, everyone!
i would gently pull the lower lid out so there was a 'cup' there, close to the corner of the eye, and put the drops there. i was lucky in that mine weren't fighting me, though.
i'd say this is definitely a good time for reward/incentive/bribery!
khairete
S.
Our doctor said to let her lay down, close her eyes, put several drops in the corner of the eye by the nose, and let her blink a bunch of time. You can then rub the remaining liquid in the corner over her closed eyelid along the edge. We did one eye at a time and had her head tilted a little with pillow to create a little "well" near the nose where some drops would stray. We were able to finish the treatment with 1 bottle, but if necessary I would have spent money on a second bottle to avoid the fight. Our eyedoctor assistant (for the dilating drops) has the kids lay back on her chair, and then close their eyes, and she very quickly pulls the lids towards the eyebrow with a flat finger and with the other hand whips a drop into the eyes. I have tried it that way but was not successful. Good luck. Make sure she and you wash hands a lot since pink eye is extremely contagious. Also do not use that same dropper bottle for anyone but her.
Guess what? You don't need drops for pink eye. I couldn't get them in our daughter's eyes at all and called the pediatrician. He said he'd just write a prescription for an oral medication instead. Boom, pink eye cleared up just as well as with drops. Now that I know this option, I wonder why doctors ever subject parents to the agony of the drops.
Eye drops are so hard for little kids. Even adults have trouble with them.
I had my kids keep their eyes closed, not tight, and just put the end of the dropper in the inside corner of the eye and squeezed then had them turn their head to the side so the liquid could roll to the outside of the eye. Chances of getting the drops in that way is a much better bet than trying with their eyes open. I told my pediatrician that was the only way I could manage, especially with my daughter, and he said it was perfectly fine to do it that way.
It's so much easier than expecting them to be still while waiting with their eyes open for something to drop in. Give it a try.
Best wishes.
Best way is how the other moms mentioned-have him lay back, close his eyes, and put them in the corner of his eyes next to his nose. And maybe an M&M or mini marshmallow afterwards as an incentive (bribe!!).
My tricks include getting at least one eye done before they wake up! And then there is always bribery...marshmallows in exchange for "rain drops" has worked in our house.
I used the gel instead of the drops - I always ask for them. Its easier to swipe that gel in the corner of an eye - and it stays in place whereas the drops roll out of the eye.
Good luck! Hope your little one Feels better soon!
I would lay him down on the couch in front of the TV and let him get engrossed in something. Don't surprise him -- tell him you are putting the drops in, but let him be distracted by the TV. He will probably still fuss and roll, but the distraction will make it a little easier.
Umm.. when my son had it.. we got the vaseline type of med for his eye. I would put some on my finger and pretend to put some on his, so he could do it first. I would have him stand on a chair.. and after he did.. it was mommy's turn. I would have him look out the window.. & BAM i would swipe his eye. No probs! If you son is like mine.. he's a tough lil' man and there was no way i was going to try to hold him down and get the meds all over. See if your doctor will prescribe the vaseline type of med for his eye instead. Good Luck :)
M.
