How to Give Medicine to a Resistant Child

Put yourself in your child's place; it's hard enough to stomach the taste of some medicines when you feel good, but it's almost impossible to swallow them when your stomach is doing flip-flops or your head is pounding. Even when masked by sickly-sweet artificial flavors, some medications are difficult to take. Ease the process with some creative tips.

Things You'll Need

• Chocolate syrup
• Plastic syringe (for toddlers or younger)

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Instructions

• 1

  Approach medicine-taking time with a lighthearted attitude. Instead of announcing, "It's time to take your medicine, come over here," keep up a running conversation about the day's plans or a favorite TV show while bringing the medicine over and measuring it out.

• 2

  Be nonchalant while holding out the spoon, say something like, "Okay, here you go." Act as if you fully expect your child to take the medicine. Often this is enough to get her to open and swallow. If so, don't congratulate your child, just return to your original conversation as if it meant nothing.

• 3

  Go for a little persuasion if your child balks at taking his medicine. Unfortunately, if your child already has the idea that medicine is icky, your job is tougher. Smile and pretend one of your child's favorite stuffed animals is doing the asking. Say something like, "Tigger really wants to take your medicine so you guys can go play in your room."

• 4

  Use the old chocolate syrup trick for a resistant child. Yucky medicine tastes better when your child gets a small spoon of chocolate syrup before and after taking it. The only problem with this tactic is when your child has to take medicine often throughout the day and you want to restrict her sugar intake.

• 5

  Get tough if cajoling fails. Your child must take his medicine and you can lower your voice and insist in no uncertain terms that it must happen now. Avoid threatening your child but make it clear that he must take the medicine.

• 6

  Offer rewards or punishments if the situation warrants. This scenario isn't desirable but sometimes your child will open her mouth if he thinks she can go to the pool later. Alternately, she may open his mouth to keep from going to bed an hour earlier. Use rewards and punishments sparingly because they tend to create future problems.

• 7

  Hold your resistant child and use a syringe to squeeze the medicine in the back of his mouth. This is the last resort but it is sometimes necessary, especially when very young children are resisting. Sit on a chair and hold your child's head between your knees to stabilize his wiggling. Take care not to squeeze. Using both hands, gently pinch your child's nostrils closed and immediately squeeze the syringe into the back of his throat. Release his nostrils as soon as he swallows.