6 Smart Ways to Get Your Kid to Take Their Medicine

In parenting, there’s never a shortage of frustrating situations. Whether it’s cute but tiring mischief, their refusal to stay put when told to, or simple things such as bath and bedtime, they tend to have pretty clear ideas about the way things ought to be.

But when it comes to taking medicine, getting a child to do what’s best for them can be particularly exhausting. Often, they’ll simply refuse to cooperate. And it’s not always a behavioral problem. While some kids aren’t prepared to give over control of what they ingest, others may have a genuine problem swallowing pills.

Fortunately, there are a few pretty simple solutions you can try, so let’s have a look at them with regard to specific age groups.

Toddlers

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The age group you’ll definitely have the most trouble reasoning with will be toddlers. Especially when they hit their ‘No’ stage, where they simply refuse to do anything. 

But, however frustrating you find the terrible twos, it’s important to keep in mind that this is a crucial stage in your child’s development – one in which they’re discovering their independence and starting to develop their autonomy.

If you have to give medication to such a small child, it’s best to entirely avoid getting into a fight over it. The less they’re aware of the fact that they might not want something, the higher your chances will be of giving them their medicine fuss-free. To do this, you can try one of the following methods:

1. Hide it in food

While this won’t work for all types of drugs, there will be those that you can easily hide in food. Just make sure that they don’t have a strong smell or taste that will likely put kids off. Mashed foods such as peas or apple sauce are great choices, but you can also try it with juice. Before crushing a pill, however, it’s important to consult with your doctor to check whether this will alter its effect.

2. A spoonful of sugar

Mary Poppins pretty much had it right in the 1964 classic. While some syrups for children already contain added flavors and colors, they may not always be the best choice. If the medicine your child’s doctor prescribed has a bad taste, you can try to make it go down a bit easier by dipping the spoon in sugar or even chocolate. This will coat the tongue, preventing your child from experiencing any unpleasant bitterness.

3. Cool down

Another great tip for bad-tasting medicine is having your little one suck on a popsicle or even ice. The cold will numb their taste buds, and make it easier to swallow yucky drugs.

Ages 6 to 12

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Older children may still be getting drugs in liquid forms, in which case you can use any of the tips listed above. But it’s also possible that their prescriptions include pills. Although for some kids these pose a problem, others simply have negative feelings associated with medicine, which is basically what you’ll want to address. By taking the right approach, you can show them that swallowing a pill is not only good for them but can even be a fun experience.

1. Flavors and colors

For a number of children, pill and capsule coatings can be too dry or can have a bad taste (and unappealing appearance). This is where you can experiment with flavored gelatin capsules. The idea is quite simple: kids will be far less likely to reject drugs if they taste like their favorite foods.

2. Play a game

Children may be frustrated by the fact that they have to take a pill. They may see it as punishment, not understanding how it will benefit them. You can work around this by playing a game. Choose a favorite stuffed animal that will be given medicine along with your kid, or play along and pretend to be the patient to their doctor. Once they’ve successfully taken their dose, you can have a small party to celebrate.

3. Give them control

For some children, refusing to take medicine is simply a question of control. If you suspect this is the case, it’s important that you make them feel like they’re holding the reins. If they’re drinking a syrup, allow them to hold the spoon. If they’re taking pills, ask them if they want to do it before or after their bath. These actions will have them feel in charge and thus less likely to throw a tantrum.

Teens

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Finally, if your children are older and you want them to know how to take good care of themselves, regardless of whether they’re healthy or sick, you will need to focus your efforts on communication. Talk to them about the medication they’re taking and how it is important for their health. 

Also, be prepared to set a good example. For instance, if your goal is to get them to take their multivitamin in the morning, show them that you’re doing the same. Seeing that you’re consistent about it will convince them of the benefits, and it will act as a daily reminder. Plus, it can make them feel a bit more grown-up, which is what most teens seek in the first place.

Final tips for struggling parents

As your child is growing up, there will inevitably be moments where you’re simply at a loss of ideas about what to do. When it comes to health and medication, it’s crucial that you have a positive mindset. Seeing you approach the subject with a smile on your face (even if you agree that those pills are downright nasty), your children will be less likely to mimic negative emotions and behaviors. 

In the end, your goal is to get them to feel better. A smile, a hug, and some encouragement are sure to be of tremendous help.