As parents, we always want the best for our kids. You probably do so much to keep your kids healthy. You prepare healthy meals, encourage exercise, teach them about hygiene, and more.
Even with the best healthy habits, your child might need to take medicine from time to time. It could be for any number of reasons.
But what happens if your child refuses to take the medicine they need? You know it is good for them, but they might not want to take it.
Getting children to accept medicine is important. Even when the issue isn’t life-threatening, the right medicine can make a huge difference in how your child feels or how quickly they recover.
What can you do to get a resistant child to take medicine? Read on to learn about a few tips.
Try Not to Force It
Using your parental authority can seem like an easy way to solve the problem. You might send them to their room or not allow them to have something they enjoy until they take the medicine. Even if it works, it could lead to more problems. It is kind of like dealing with a picky eater. The harder you try to force it, the more resistant they might become. It could also lead to the child developing negative feelings toward taking medicine.
Instead of using force, you should try to remain positive. Be understanding and listen to your child’s concerns. If you allow the child to maintain a feeling of control while making it clear there is no getting out of taking the medicine, you will set yourself up for an easier experience in the future.
Set an Example
As an adult, there is a good chance you occasionally need to take medicine. You might also take vitamins. Start showing your child how you take medicine early in life. Show them how it is not a big deal and explain that you like taking medicine because it makes you feel better. Children model the parents of their behavior, so this offers a good opportunity to set the right example.
Be an Explainer
You know why your child needs to take medicine, but it might not be as apparent to the child. Instead of trying to push past that, you should explain it to them. This will be even more helpful if they have symptoms they notice and find unpleasant. Talk about the symptoms and how the medicine will make them feel better.
This is another way leading by example can help. If your child has seen you take medicine and you have already explained that, you can bring those occasions up. When you explain the medicine and teach them how the two situations are similar, they might be more willing to take their medicine.
Hide it in Food
Some children might be too young or unreasonable for an explanation. In that case, you might be able to hide it in food. If it is a liquid or syrup, it should be easy to mix with something like applesauce. When it comes to pills, you should ask your doctor before crushing a pill to mix it with food. It is safe to crush most pills, but it can be an issue with some medicines.
Talk to Your Pharmacist
An experienced pharmacist might have solutions that could help with the issue. They might be able to recommend different treatments or alternatives that could be better suited to your child. Going to a compounding pharmacist might be another option for your child’s medicine issues.
When asked, a compounding pharmacist in California said, “A compounding pharmacist can apply a variety of methods to make medicine easier on children. They can use techniques to improve the flavor and make it more palatable. Compounding can also reduce certain side effects or alter the medicine in ways that make it easier for a child to take.”
Start Early and Offer Rewards
Just like with different foods, children will generally be more accepting of medicine the earlier in life they encounter it. Children as young as four or five can swallow pills. If you teach them how to take pills early, it won’t seem like a big deal.
Another tip for young children is to offer a small reward. It can be a favorite treat like a cookie or piece of candy. You can tell them you will make a dessert they like for after dinner if they are good about taking their medicine. It could also be something like a sticker or a little more TV time.
When a child refuses to take medicine, it can be frustrating. It can also be stressful because you worry about them not getting something they need. While there might be rare cases when force is the only option, you want to avoid it at all costs. With these tips, you should have an easier time getting your kids to take medicine.