They can make it taste like grape soda, melt on the tongue and go down as easy as sugar. But some children just don’t like to take their medicine. When parents are worried about a sick child, the added stress of getting them to take their medicine several times a day can be overwhelming.
Parents can use rewards and other techniques to help a child take his medicine. Communication can be key. Parents have had some success in taking their time, explaining the need for the medicine and even talking about how it works and why it tastes bad. The more information a child has, the more likely he is to get on board and take his medicine.
Give Your Child Control and Choices
A child is more likely to take his medicine if he has some control. A parent can ask a child, “Do you want to take your medicine when you first wake up or right after you brush your teeth?” “Do you want to take the purple medicine first or the red?” Allowing him to make some small decisions about how he takes the medicine will make him feel like he’s in control and not being forced.
Parents should always supervise a child taking medicine and be sure it’s taken with or without food and at the prescribed times of day. Limit your child's input to the small details.
Be Generous With Rewards for Taking Medicine
Clapping, praising, a big hug and a Hershey kiss go a long way with a child who’s just taken his medicine. The rewards for taking medicine can be small but special; something that a child will look forward to each time he takes his medicine.
Parents Take Medicine Too
When a child has to take medicine, he may be more willing if he sees that his mom and dad are taking their medicine, too. A parent’s medicine can be a daily multi-vitamin or any medicine a child can see his parent take. Explaining to a child that everyone has to take medicine sometimes can help him understand the need.
Reduce Bad Tasting Medicines
There are ways to eliminate or greatly reduce the bad taste in medicine.
- A child can be taught to hold his nose while taking bad tasting medicines. Followed up by orange juice or apple juice, by the time he unplugs his nose, the bad tasting medicine will be gone.
- If a child sucks on an ice cube for a minute or two before taking medicine, taste buds are toned down quite a bit by cold and medicines don’t taste so bad.
- Mixed medicine with yogurt, V8 Splash Smoothies, or any thick fruit flavored drink can mask the flavor of most medicines.
What Not to Do
- If a child is prescribed pills and has a problem swallowing them, don’t open capsules and mix the contents with food. Check with a doctor before crushing pills and mixing with food. Some medicines are time-release pills and should only be swallowed whole.
- Don't assume that all medicines can be mixed with any liquid or food. Some medications should not be taken with food or are rendered non-effective if mixed with certain foods. Check with a doctor or pharmacist before mixing medicines and food.
- Don't strong arm a child or physically force him to take medicine. The next dose will be impossible to get down and you'll have lost his cooperation
- Don't trick a child into taking medicine by mixing it in with food. It's difficult for a parent to ensure that the entire dose has been taken. And children want to feel they have control over what they're eating.
By using rewards, making medicine more palatable, and letting a child have some control of how he takes his medicine, a child's medication can be a positive way to get through an illness.
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