Help with Swallowing Pills

Been there done that, for myself and my kids. Do her a favor and do not crush the pills they taste bad no matter what you do to them and this will help put them off. I took my son when he was three and told him that if he took a big swallow of water held it in his mouth and then put the pill in and put his head back the pill would go down fast he tried it and found out that it worked no more problems with him my daughter took longer. Good luck.

When I was working on my children, I started off with mini M&M's, one at a time on the back of the tounge with water. Once they mastered that, I moved up to regular sized M&M's for a bit. It didn't take long for them to learn because they wanted to eat the candy, not just swallow it. My oldest (6 at the time) after about the 4th regular sized candy started begging me to let him eat them because "I know how to do it...now can I eat them"?

Instead of mashing the pills and putting them in food, mash them and put them in a tablespoon or teaspoon of yogurt or grape jelly. Then it's over and done with in 1 mouthful instead of a whole cup of pudding or yogurt. You can also try a small amount of juice and have her drink it real quick.

Also always ask your pediatrician for a liquid alternative.

Good luck!

Some good ideas have already been posted.

What has worked for me and my boys is to have them practice with M&Ms. There are those mini-M&Ms too. Just have them concentrate on not chewing them. The kids aren't afraid of the candy and then asking them to try the pill or capsule itself has, for me and my kids, been a lot more successful.

I would encourage all parents of 6 and 6+ should have some sort of practice; keeping the food to swallow plenty small.

Good luck.

Applesauce and the putting on the tongue, drink of water and tilting of the head work wonders. With the tilting of the head, the pill rises to the back of the throat and then when she comes back up, it goes down her relaxed throat.

J.,

We found out that our 10 year old couldn't swallow pills when he got strep and needed antibiotics. I got chocolate milk in the ER and he threw up trying to take it. Needless to say, we gave him liquid that time. When he turned 11, he was prescribed a daily medication. I explained that he couldn't swallow pills, so our pediatrician suggested opening the capsule and putting it in a teaspoon of honey. It worked great and you can see that all of the medicine has been consumed. He has since graduated to putting the water in his mouth first and then adding the capsule. Once he has the capsule in his mouth, he puts his chin down and swallows. This makes no sense to me, but the doctor said that actually opens up the throat to allow the medicinde to go down easily. It works every time! Hope this helps.
Peace,
C.

The way I learned to swallow pills (and the way I still do) is to take a drink of water, but don't swallow it, then pop the pill in your mouth with the water and tilt your head back and swallow. If it's a small pill, you never even feel it. My 10-yr-old daughter has also done it the same way without any problems.

Sometimes kids make an ordeal so real in there head that it becomes real to them. Like when a baby falls and isnt hurt they go on your reaction if you say uh oh you ok and clap and make it happy they get up. If you get startled and run and pick them up then they start to cry. Basically I was told just take it and never even thought about not being able to take meds. Thought it was odd that people couldnt swallow. Since she could take them before sounds like its in her head. I would say stirnly take it and walk on. But that the tough love kind of family I came from. Best of luck hope she gets her meds.

When I was young, my Mother would mash it on a tablespoon than put enough water on the spoon for me to swallow. It always worked. I hope you find the best way for your daughter.

My mom used to smash it to a powder with the back of a spoon, drop it into the spoon, and add honey. The medicine sticks to the honey - all gone in one spoonful.

I would help her get the concept of swallowing by using mini M&M's.

Please call and talk to your pharmacist before you cut or mash the pills, because some pills are made to slowly release over several hours. And they may could also give you suggestions. Good Luck

I have played this game 4 times and it was the last one that taught me the best way. My son is 10 now and can swallow pills bigger then I can. He simple gets a large glass of water, puts the pill in his mouth and starts drinking until he can no longer drink. The key is do not stop drinking until you have too. The pill will be gone and you will have drank enough water to start breaking it down with messing up little tummies.
Hope this helps,
L.

J., You got some good advice so far! Try them all to see what your kiddo will do. The main thing is to not get them upset or it will take longer.
The straw worked for my kiddos, just keep drinking from the straw until the pill goes down. They feel such an accomplishment when they can swallow whole pills. It is a big step from being a baby to a BIG KID!!
Good luck and God Bless

My oldest has been swalling pills since 4.5 yrs. Here's how our doctor told us to teach him. We got a glass of water and had him take a big swallow. Immediately have her put the pill in her mouth and take another swallow. I have 2 little boys (6 & 8 now) that take pills every morning. One of our friend's little girl (5) needed an ibuprofen the other day. We did this same thing, I had her just keep drinking until the pill was gone. She was so proud of herself for being able to swallow it. Just keep telling her what a big girl she is for being able to just swallow it.
Hope this helps!

We taught our son to swallow pills by using a straw in his drink. By doing that , when you suck through the straw it pushes the pill right down the back of your throat.

try having her put the pill in her mouth and drinking liquid thru a straw - worked with my kids!!

my mom used to just get a tablespoon of water and mash the pill in that...it tastes horrible but I was just told I had to =) but depending on the type of medicine she has to take, you might be able to ask her dr. or the pharmacist if there is a liquid or chewable tablet she can get instead.

Does your daughter like fruit smoothies? You can mix it up in the blender and have her drink it.

Lisa