Taking Medicine

When kids are little, almost all medicines are available in liquid or chewable form.  As they get older, some medicines your children need may be best taken in pill form…which means we need to teach them how to swallow pills. In this edition of our Sunday Scaffolding, I share some tips about teaching this skill in a calm and reassuring way.

As with all things medical, you should check with your child’s doctor before trying this skill with your child.  This is especially true if he or she has any oral motor issues.

My Top Ten Tips:

1.  I’d try to avoid ‘sneaking’ them into anything. This is a terrible example to set and I think it’s best to teach new skills openly and honestly. Kids should know that they can trust you.
2. Some pills need to be taken with water. That said, when learning, something thicker might be easier.  Show your child, but you might try a small scoop of pudding or yogurt (check with the pharmacist if the medication is okay with milk products).
3. Smaller is easier. Ask the doctor if you can cut the pill in half…it’s easier and twice the practice. It’s okay to do so for certain medications, but not others.
4. Stay calm.  No big deal…this skill will be easier if you and your child are more relaxed.
5. If using water or juice, big gulps help. Do one first without the pill, then put the pill towards the back of their tongue and do it again (not so far back that they gag).
6. If juice is a special treat for your child, this might be a good time to bust that out.
7. If your child needs a lot of practice for a new skill, ask the doctor about placebo pills to practice.
8. Demonstrate yourself.  Better yet, have an older kid in the house do it.  Maybe both.  Show them that it’s quick and easy.
9. In your demo, make a point of exaggerating tossing your head back and swallowing to help get the pill to the back of the mouth.
10. Celebrate every small success, in a big way!!

Safety Reminders

Keep all medicines out of reach of your child and use the child safe caps, both liquid and pills. You’ll also need to teach your child that they are never allowed to take medicine without one of their trusted adults present, especially once they are able to swallow pills on their own.

More Information

Here’s a link that has some good information, if your doctor says your child is ready to learn to swallow pills.

https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/swallowing-pills.html

Just keep in mind, this will make every illness down the road a little less frustrating and it will be one more bit of value in their skill piggy banks…keep building up their skill base…you’ve got this!