Over My Dad Body

Ah, the battle of getting your child to take their medicine. Since not all liquid medicines come in bubble gum, grape, or strawberry flavors, intimidation and blackmail are perhaps not some of the best feel-better strategies.

So what can you do when your cranky little one refuses to take the medicine you know she badly needs? Fear not, for here’s my advice to help restore your child’s energy and health.

Try A Different Approach

Your method makes all the difference. If your grouchy patient has turned up her nose at the medicine spoon, you can try giving the medicine through a dropper. Never mind if she has already outgrown this approach, as long as it’s something your child is willing to try.

You can also ask the pharmacist for a small medicine cup or a plastic syringe that squirts liquid meds. Just remember to remove the needle, of course. Any variation may be enough to distract them for you to get a dose in.

In Small Doses

Try to stretch medicine time over several minutes instead of giving your child their medicine all at once. It may be easier for them to swallow it if you break it up and not down it all in one gulp.

However, if your kid recognizes that this strategy merely prolongs the agony, this option is not for you.

Mask It

Ask your pedia if hiding your child’s medicine in her food or drinks is okay. If yes, you may try adding the medicine to a small amount of ice cream, fruit juice, or applesauce.

While Paracetamol a la mode is always better than asking your child to take it straight up, mixing the meds into something else means you have to make sure they eat or drink the whole thing to get the full dosage.

Offer A Treat

Much like most times in parenting, a little bribery can go a long way. Promise your tot a small yet special reward for taking her meds. Puffy stickers or a small bag of her favorite snack might inspire her to gulp it down without a fight.

Be Cheerful

Even if it feels uncomfortable to force your daughter to drink something she despises, be ready to deliver that medicine with a twinkle in your eye. Show your child that taking medicine is not supposed to be troublesome.

Also, don’t let your facial expressions give you away. Trying to get your kid to take meds with a frown tells her she is about to experience something unpleasant.

Give Them A Choice

Allowing your daughter to pick between colors or flavors of medicine if you have the option makes drinking meds easier and more engaging. By making her feel like they have control over the situation, your child will return to their bubbly self in no time.

Take the Lead

Kids tend to copy their parents when it comes to how they act, and taking meds is no different. Showing your child how to properly take medicine and highlighting its benefits will empower and reassure them. Remember to never underestimate the power of keeping an upbeat and positive approach.

Aim Right

Did you know that our taste buds are mostly on the front and center of the tongue? Avoid these fussy taste areas, and place the medicine near the back of your child’s tongue. You can also try dropping it between the rear gum and the inside of her cheek, where it easily slides down her throat with minimal contact on her taste zones.

While this may require a bit of skill and an extra set of hands to keep younger kids still, gaining such proficiency will help make drinking meds pleasant and easy.

Much like most kids, my daughter is not a fan of taking medications. But a dad’s got to do what a dad’s got to do, so it is best to have a few strategies up your sleeves to get your kid to drink her medicine.

Although Mary Poppins taught us that a spoonful of sugar does wonders, these tricky tactics may help coax your child to heed your pleas and make medicine time less painful and a pill that is much easier to swallow.