Sick 2YO: Meds or no meds?

[Jesskathand]

My 2 year old has a cough and just now said the inside of his ear hurts.

We have been giving him some probiotics, and a liquid vitamin. If we can, we will also give him Kids Echinecia.

He doesn't want to take anything, he is still mostly playing normally, maybe a little less energy than usual. I don't want to force anything on him, but I also don't want him to get sicker.

When he told me his ear hurt today, I asked him if he wanted ear drops (we have homeopathic ear drops). He said no and started saying that his ear didn't hurt....

Should I not even offer the meds? I want him to be able to tell me when he's hurt/sick, and not be afraid of me giving him meds.

Any advice? What do you do with a sick 2 year old?

[marispel]

I don't think a 2 yr old is old enough to really understand how effective medicine can be at relieving the discomfort. IMO - I would give him the meds as needed and not leave that decision up to a 2yr old.

[lilmom]

I would give him the ear drops! It might really help him feel better.

[Jesskathand]

Thanks!

Obviously if it was a life-threatening illness, I would force the meds on him.

I was just afraid of traumatizing him with it. I will try the ear drops on him in a bit.

[PlayaMama]

i agree with the above posters.

i'd give him the drops but frame it in a way that sounds like, "mommy's going to put these drops in your ears so that you won't get an infection. an infection can make it hurt in your ears. ready? one, two, three!

i would not allow my child to make the choice themselves regarding medicine use until they were maybe 7 or 8? my ds is 5 and very mature and we do compromises a LOT but i still feel comfortable saying, "we need to do this, what way would you like to make this happen?"

[Jesskathand]

Originally Posted by PlayaMama

i agree with the above posters.

i'd give him the drops but frame it in a way that sounds like, "mommy's going to put these drops in your ears so that you won't get an infection. an infection can make it hurt in your ears. ready? one, two, three!

i would not allow my child to make the choice themselves regarding medicine use until they were maybe 7 or 8? my ds is 5 and very mature and we do compromises a LOT but i still feel comfortable saying, "we need to do this, what way would you like to make this happen?"

That makes a lot of sense! I'll treat it more like the way we treat changing diapers (another thing he hates, but we need to do it!).
Thanks!