Amoxicillin Wars

Andre and I are currently facing perhaps our greatest practical challenge as parents thus far: administering 1 1/2 teaspoons of Amoxicillin twice a day for ten days to our spirited son, Isaac. I thought changing a poopy diaper on a baby who won't stay on his back for more than 5 seconds was bad, this definitely rivals and probably surpasses it!! You may be thinking 1 1/2 teaspoons is not so much. It's more liquid than I ever really imagined, let me tell you! It's amazing when it oozes back out of Isaac's mouth, how much a teaspoon really is and how many burp cloths, pajamas, shirts and chairs it can stain all at one time! If you're wondering, Isaac has an ear infection he can't seem to shake. On our third trip to the Doctor for it, we decided to finally go ahead and give him the antibiotic. We want to make sure he is really better by the time we leave for Central America in two weeks.

Attempt #1: Tuesday night: Put a bib on Isaac, put him in the high chair and confidently put the first teaspoon in the syringe dropper. After squirting it in his mouth, most came right back out, accompanied by a grimace communicating his "love" for the Cherry flavor I had added to the medicine for $2.99. The other half teaspoon landed somewhere in the vicinity of his mouth. Net consumption: probably about 1/2 teaspoon.

Attempt #2: Breakfast Wednesday morning: Since the dropper didn't work to well, I switched to the tube spoon. Measured out the first teaspoon and aimed for his mouth. I think he drank some of it. The rest I'm hoping for osmosis through the skin. The other 1/2 teaspoon I put in a small yellow tumbler he was enjoying drinking water out of. I added a little water to dilute it. Isaac took a little sip but then figured out that the pink stuff in the bottom of the cup is not water and refused to drink anymore. Net consumption: optimistically somewhere between 1/2 and 3/4 of a teaspoon.

Attempt #3: Dinner Wednesday evening: On taking a suggestion from Andrea that sounded great, I mixed the medicine in with some apple sauce. I purposely didn't use too much applesauce in case he didn't eat much of it. I was able to get about 1/3 of it down. Andre tried to get a little more. I think he at least got some close to his mouth, which is pretty good considering how quickly Isaac turns his head away when he sees it coming. Maybe it's because it's pink!! Next time I'll ask if they can make it blue. Net consumption: I guess about 1/3 of 1 1/2 teaspoons. That's your math problem for the day. (hint: multiply 1/3 by 3/2)

Attempt #4: Breakfast Thursday morning: I held Isaac on my lap in a "cradle hold" (for anyone who has ever tried nursing a baby). I pinned his arms down, held his neck to keep his head in place, and with my 3rd hand I squirted the syringe full of pink stuff in his mouth. I tried blowing on his mouth as my friend nurse, Midi suggested, but for me it didn't seem to do anything. Some pink stuff came oozing out the side, but not much. Time for the second syringe full (the syringe only holds 1 teaspoon so I split it into 2 doses of 3/4 of a teaspoon each-a little more math for you. Don't ever tell anyone fractions aren't useful!) Second squirt was even better!!! I don't think any came out. Isaac almost gagged and coughed a little but I think he swallowed it. Thanks Midi, for your suggestion. I think I just have to pin him down twice a day for the next 8 days. Net consumption: 1 1/4 teaspoons!! Hooray!!

I really hope the Pediatricians account for all this when they do the dosages for infants!!

If anyone has any other suggestions, PLEASE let me know!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!