Is there a trick to givng them saline drops for colds?

All 3 of us have colds. I bought saline drops for them, but it seems to upset them instead of helping. I have to hold their hands down and even then I can even get the drops in their nose. And forget about using the suction, that puts them over the edge.

 

This is what I do.

I sit in the floor with my legs spread out straight. Take child and lay him on his back, with his head toward your body and his legs facing out like yours. Then place each of the child's arms under each of your legs. That way, you have your hands free to get the drops in and your thighs can help steady their head.

They do not like this...I'm not sure there is any child who likes something up the nose.

But I can use this position to put the drops in and then 30 secs after the drops, I can suction quickly and then be done. I like this position because it makes an unpleasant "procedure" go quickly at least.

Not sure if that helps you but that's what I do.

 

Buy the saline spray rather than the drops... it's very easy to administer. You just stick the spray nozzle in one nostril and squeeze. You're done almost before the child realizes what's happening. You can get saline spray at Walgreens or CVS or just about anywhere. They make spray just for kids, but our pedi said the adult version is the same (just get the one with no preservative).

 

A trick? Not really, but this is what I do: Lay child on the floor on their back. I then straddle them, so that each one of my legs is holding down one of their arms. (I'm up on my toes and knees kind of, they are not being hurt, just pinned down). Hold their head still with my left hand, administer drops with right hand. Now if DH is home we tag team them. This is the only way I can get drops in their noses if I'm by myself.

 

QUOTE(cjk2002 @ Feb 11 2009, 09:42 AM) [snapback]1185716[/snapback]
All 3 of us have colds. I bought saline drops for them, but it seems to upset them instead of helping. I have to hold their hands down and even then I can even get the drops in their nose. And forget about using the suction, that puts them over the edge.


I have not found a way to do it that doesn't make them mad - we just try to be quick and get it done. So, unless holding them down counts as a trick, I've gotten nothing but :hug: .

 

mine were the same way for their first two colds, but this time around, they are a little better. i hold their heads against my chest for support, and then shoot the spray. they still don't really like the suction (we use a nosefrida, though, which is much better, i think!). but now i don't have the chase them around the room for it......

i find that having dh help me hold them still just makes them more upset. but holding them against my chest has worked pretty well.

gl!

 

Hmmm... we didn't have any colds at that age so I don't know how well my tricks would work. Around here, we use a cute name (salty nose) and warn them that it might tickle all the while trying to play it up like it's fun or some sort of special treat for sickies. Above all, I emphasize that it will make them feel better. Serious acting skills required. Failing that, I give the choice between salty nose or the suction bulb which is for babies. They'll choose salty nose. I also demonstrate on myself first if they are hesitant.