How do I apply ointment to my fighting 2 year old's eyes to treat pink eye?

Question

My daughter has pink eye, and we are supposed to put an ointment in her eye 3 times a day.She now shuts her eyes so tight I can't pull her lids open to apply the ointment.Does anyone have any advise on what could make this process easier for the both of us.

We have an ointment to put in her eye.It's not the drops,so I can't just drop it in the corner and let it roll in her eye when she opens it.And I tried to apply it when she was sleeping this morning, and she still closed her eyes even tighter.

Answer 1

When she's sleeping, gently pull her bottom lid down by pressing lightly on the top of the cheekbone area. You can usually get them in before her waking up completely, and if she's a sound sleeper she may not budge or even rub.

Answer 2

I'm an ophthalmic nurse and have been for 10 years. I hate to tell you this, but in the clinic when we have to give kids drops and ointments....it takes a TEAM! Usually we have the Mom or Dad hold the kid on their lap sitting down with their arms around the kid's arms - pinning them down. Then another person holds feet and legs. Another person stands behind the parent and pins the kid's head down onto the parent's shoulder. The last person then often has to crank the kids eyelid open to put in the meds. I know this isn't what you wanted to hear, and let me tell you....we bless the children who can sit still and act tough....but sometimes it just doesn't happen that way. We always do suggest trying to do it while they're sleeping, but apparently that didn't work for you. All I can say is you and your spouse or friends need to wrestle the kid a little (and gently, of course)....

Answer 3

Can you do it while she's sleeping? Just pry her eyelid open a bit while she's asleep and put it in then? It may not be three times a day, but at least it will be something...

Or do it before she wakes up in the morning, when she's taking her afternoon nap, and when she goes to bed at night.

If that doesn't work - try bribery. Wouuld that work? Say you'll give her a candy or chocolate or something she likes (10 extra minutes before she has to go to bed or something) if she sits quietly while you put the medicine...

Good luck! Let me know what works - I haven't been in that situation yet, but with a baby on the way, I'm sure I have it to look forward to... :o)

Answer 4

Give her a piece of a really nice chocolate. Ask if she likes it. Wait a minute, give her another piece. Ask if she likes it.
Now explain that each time she lets you do the eye stuff, she gets a piece of chocolate afterwards. Explain that you understand she doesn't like it, you agree that it doesn't feel very nice, you appreciate that she dislikes it, and it still has to be done. Repeat that every time she is good about it, she gets the chocolate.
Very simple and usually quite effective. This also teaches kids that they can make the decision to endure something they don't like, in order to get something they do like, which is something all adults have already learnt or we wouldn't go to work every morning! Good luck.

Answer 5

I feel your pain! I take care of 3 children all under the ages of 3. If I were you I would just go down the list of things that may possibly work because she's gotta have the meds.
1) bribes such as sweets, stickers or a special treat or toy that she likes
2) reverse psychology "oh okay fine that's okay, I don't want to give you your medicine because the doctor told me if i give you your medicine you need to have a cookie and I guess if you dont want a cookie you dont have to have a cookie"
3) IF ALL ELSE FAILS: get help from at least 2 or 3 other adults and pry those babies open one at a time.

remember gotta get that medicine down at all costs!!!
Hope I was of some inspiration/help! and goodluck

Answer 6

you pretty much have to sit on them to get that done, been thru it enough times myself, dont understand why the doctor didnt give you drops instead of ointment. you should call him back and ask him to switch it, that way when she squints her eyes, you can apply the drops to the corner of her eye near the nose, tell her its over and when she opens her eye the drops flow in. i had to lay mine on the floor, and without actually 'sitting' on them, sit across the chest area, with arms pinned under my legs just enough to keep the arms and hands from thrashing about, not enough to cut off the circulation and hold their forehead still with one hand while applying meds with the other one. try putting them in your pocket or hand to warm it up some, i think the shock to the eye from the chill of the medicine feels like more of a sting to them and scares them a little. Hopefully this will help you out some. get drops, goes much quicker....didnt see your added comment b4 i wrote all this. sorry

Answer 7

There really is no nice way of doing it. You will need at least two people, better with three.
You need one person to hold the child down and hold arms and legs still, probably one person to hold the head still and the third to open the eye and apply the ointment.
The main thing is to be really firm, not rough, and get it done quickly.

Answer 8

We had the same problem with our child. We would have him lay on the couch and look at the ceiling... hubby would make finger animals above his head. Then when he wasn't expecting I would put the drops in. Turned into a game and now he doesn't have it. Anything you make a game for a child is going to be a winner. Good luck

Answer 9

I HAVE HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. GRAB BABY'S DAD (THEY ARE MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND TO THEM, BETTER THAN OTHER ADULTS) ONE OF YOU HOLDS BABY DOWN, WHILE THE OTHER HOLDS HER EYE OPEN WITH ONE HAND AND DROPS THE DROPS IN HER EYE WITH THE OTHER. SHE MAY BE MAD AT YOU FOR A LITTLE WHILE, SO GIVE HER SOME SPACE, CUZ SHORTLY SHE'LL BE DISTRACTED AND FORGET ALL ABOUT IT.

Answer 10

it took me holding her and someone else opening her eyes and put it in and then it was still a struggle. i pretended like i had put some in my eye and that worked about twice good luck I know what your going through