Need help on giving my 3 year old Eye-Drops. He won't lie still?

Question

How do we keep him still. He hates them, won't let me near his eyes.

Screams, and won't stay still. Please help me !!

Answer 1

Why not instead of holding him down which just makes him not want to, teach him how himself.
Sit down and take the time with him. Show him, after this you can supervise him doing it himself.
Being a mother of a autistic boy I have learned my son and touching him is a big deal! I learned early on that making him do anything while touching him was going to result in a fight.
So I taught him to do things himself like a big boy, but supervised him and praised him for being such a big boy. It does take time, patients. We are always going through the hugging thing and trying to teach him that touching is not a bad thing. He is older now but will take his medication and do other things such as cooking with supervision and makes him feel good about himself. He now is great at making cakes, we are sick of cakes but it makes him feel good about himself.

Try teaching him to do it himself like a big boy and always supervise him. Good luck!

Answer 2

Ten children later - I've had a lot of experience, and finally know how to do this!

First, if he's taking them for Pink Eye, he probably has the eye drops that physicians first prescribe, and they do sting like crazy. They hurt a little less if they are cold, but the following method is easier to do if the eye drops are body temp (more about that later). If your doctor is willing to give you antibiotic eye drops that are called Gentamicin (or Gentamycin), these are great, and don't sting. They are also strong and work fast.

OK, here we go. First warm the eye drops to body temperature by putting them in your jeans pocket for about an hour. This is the safest way to warm them; you cannot accidentally harm your child by heating them too warmly if they were just in your pocket.

Second, calm your son, and have him lay down by you with his eyes closed. Tell him to relax (play music, tickle his arm, whatever). Then tell him that he does not have to open his eyes right now, just relax while you drip the eye drops on the inside corner of his closed eyes (this is the edge closest to the nose). Put one extra drip On each eye in case one rolls away. Remember, his eyes are still closed. It is very important that his face is laying flat on the bed, face up.

After you are done, ask him to open his eyes and blink a few times. The eye drops will go right in.

If your son understands language well, and will cooperate, you can attempt explaining to him that the drops don't hurt quite as much (they still do a bit) if they have been in the refrigerator first, and see if he is agreeable to you putting cold drops on his eye lid) I would try it body temp before you try it cold though. If you have to, you can get a helper to help hold him still while you place the drops on his closed eyes (if he won't hold still), but it is so much nicer when they will just relax and let you do it.

Remember that unless you have Gentamicin, the drops likely hurt your son's eyes, so give him a lot of love and comfort afterward, and tell him you know that they hurt, and that you are very proud of him.

It is important, even though it is tough to do, that you follow up this eye infection for 2 - 3 extra days when all the symptoms are gone, or it will likely be back within a week or two.

Have him wash his hands a lot so he doesn't spread this. You can get Pink Eye too, so wash yours a lot as well.

God's blessings to you and your family.

Answer 3

Just bargin with him... a little story on what i did... there is a family that i live with and they have a 2 year old and one day daddy was down stair and mommy was upstairs... Mommy wanted her upstairs cause daddy was busy...well my room is also downstairs and i went to change clothes and go back upstairs but she was in my way...so i said i will let you play with my phone is you go upstairs... and she did go upstairs... a deal was a deal and i let her play with my cell (i locked it before i gave it to her)... the whole time she stayed upstairs too...

so basically do something like i did...another answer before me said something about a cookie...give him a treat like yes a cookie, a new toy or maybe let him stay up 15 minutes late (not the exact time but just an idea)...

Answer 4

I would know how to keep him still, but it might help to have him lie down, close his eyes, put the drops on his eyes closed and have them open his eyes and the drops fall in. Other than that, sorry.

Answer 5

Try putting the drops in the outer corner of his eye. This way he can't really see the dropper coming at him. Have him lay on his side to do this. I know it must be really difficult when you can't reason with him due to his young age. I hope he doesn't need the drops for long. Good luck

Answer 6

well three year olds never sit still. maybe you should try putting some into your eye showing him that it doesnt hurt. then you can basically tell him you will give him some candy or something he enjoys. give him a reward if he lets you give him the eyedrops. you can try telling him that big boys use eye drops or something like that. encourage him

Answer 7

I was the same as that um my mom made me do it! Well give him a cookie if he likes them or something he likes.

Answer 8

Give him a cookie and have him hold it while you work. Go fast and be confident, son't dilly dally about it.

Answer 9

Cant say I blame him.