My little baby is mad at me.. with good reason.

[dalia]

My sweet ds (15 mo) has been pretty sick with croup for the past week. Yesterday he even had to go the ER to get steroids because he wasn't breathing well. During this whole ordeal and especially at the hospital, we have basically had to force him to take medicine, to lie still on an x-ray table and to have his temperature taken. He hates it all so much, and I feel like I am betraying his trust with every thing I have to force him to do.

Just a little while ago I force-fed him some meds. It was awful, but he is so miserable and he needs to feel at least a little bit better so he will maybe drink some water. But I hate it. Anyway, afterwards when we were nursing he started scratching my face in an angry way. Yesterday he was hitting me. I may sound crazy but I know he is working through his feelings about being forced to do stuff. I feel like I am damaging our relationship.. but what can I do??

[April Dawn]

 It does stink right now, and he's probably mad, but he WILL get over it.  My DS had a badly sprained knee at 16 months.  He went through a lot of procedures - DH and I and the doctors couldn't tell where the pain was at first and thought it might be the stomach, so he went through a bunch of abdominal xrays, catheterization, and ultrasound.  Then we realized it was the leg and he had more xrays of that.  He was furious.  He was extra clingy for a few weeks.  But after a few weeks, things were back to normal.  You've had 15 months to build a good strong relationship - that foundation won't be destroyed in a few days, much as it's awful right now to be going through that. 

[Nicole730]

I would talk through everything.  Try to say things like: I know you don't like me doing this and I don't like it either, but it has to be done so you can feel better.  It makes me sad when you are not feeling well. 
 

Or when he is taking his frustrations out on you, let him know you are aware of it: It must be so frustrating not to be able to tell me how upset you are.  Pretty soon you'll be able to use all those words you have inside of you and you will feel so much better.

It is hard, but he will forget about it soon!  It's weird though, when you realize they hold onto that anger longer than when it happens. 

[babydanielsmom]

It's soo tough having a sick wee one! As far as the scratching and stuff goes I think  that your Lo realizes that you are the safest person to unwind on, kwim. As his Mama you have spent the last 15 months caring for his every need, he knows this. Now, some times those needs are so nice/sweet to do for our Lo's like nursing/co sleeping. Other times those needs are kinda tough to do...like giving him his meds or fixing a boo boo. But everything we do as parents is in the best interest and well being of our kiddos. I'm sure that lack of sleep  and feeling yucky is making it tough for everyone...hope your Ds (and you) gets a peaceful night of sleep.

[dalia]

Thank you so so so much ladies. To top it off, now I am sick! But I am so happy because this evening ds ate some sorbet and some tofu. And he drank some water and played a little bit!!