Taking Medicine

Hi, My daughter hated taking medicine so I would have to hold her down and force her mouth open. It was awful. After a few attempts that way, I explained to her that mommy doesn't like forcing her and that she HAS to take the medicine. My daughter opened her mouth and no problems ever since. Try explaining what the medicine is for. I always treat my children with respect and explain most things to them. You would be amazed at how much they really do understand. It's worth a try. Good luck.

Hello B.,
My husband & I pretend that we are going to take the meds, vitamines, ect. & tell him no you can't have any this is mommies or daddies. We play with him like that until he gets to the point that he says no it's mine I want it. It works every time. I used to get so aggravated & now it's fine. Good luck & I understand how you feel.

they have new medicine flavorings at CVS that you can put in with the meds. try that it cost about 3 dollars and that would help with the taste my child hates the taste of that stuff good luck and make it fun that might help also
H.

Is this medicine you are talking about an allergy one, like claritin??? If so, a chewable childrens tablet just came out, it's like grape tasting candy, which will be much easier to give.

You may want to try to mix it into his favorite juice and freeze them into little popcicles. Try with just one first so you dont wait the medicine just in case he doesn't go for it. I know this helped us with our daughter when we had to give her any type of medicine. Good Luck.

Hi!
I just saw your posting and wanted to add my two cents. First off, I disagree with the idea of hiding it in anything. You are setting yourself up for a LONG battle. I do find the flavorings helpful. I also find, (and I am AMAZED no one mentioned this) cold meds go down better/easier. Your son has allergies. He will be on meds for it ...for ever...he needs to accept it and learn to be responsible of it. Fact of life. My son loves to drink a cup of choco milk before he does his bedtime routine...I have him start his bath and after we have washed and before he can play, take his meds in the tub. A great plus here if he spills! If he is being difficult about it...he can't have his milk. ALWAYS works for us. I give him the dosing spoon so he can control the flow and that is it. His taking his meds is NOT a debatable issue. You need to stand your ground on this and not dress it up. Think about all those ppl who try to hide pills for their pets in food....how often does that really work? lol. Give your son credit; it will benefit you in the end!

Hey B., how about putting the med in a small amount of juice so as to hide the taste but not dilute it too much? Is there something you can get at your local pharmacy that will disquise the flaver? Good luck..

How about mixing it with his breakfast?

My son is 18 months old and I give him juice/water when he gets up in the morning. So I was thinking perhaps you could put his medicine into his juice or water or whatever he drinks since it is a liquid medicine. Then he won't know it or taste it.

My son started taking Claritin around 20 months also (is now 27 mths and only takes as needed). He hated the liquid too. check with his pediatrician to see if he can take the chewable grape tablets that Claritin makes now. My son takes those without any problems along with his Flinstones vitamin. What a lifesaver! Good Luck!

bribery is a wonderful thing. if he wants to watch tv, play outside, or get breakfast, he has to do this first. he will get the jist of it the first time you dont give him what he wants. if he watches 1/2 hour of tv in the morning tell him that he has to take his meds or he will lost the tv. after that, try to give him his meds and if he does not want it, put him in time out and if he gets out, put him back in. remember a min per year of age is as long as he is in. do not let him watch tv and try again. after a couple of times he may give up. it may take a couple of hours but from what i have seen and done, it does work. just dont give in no matter how hard it is. if he does not watch any tv that day, i bet the next day will be better and he will work with you.

good luck, been there and still hate medicine time,

B.

p.s. supernanny is a wonderful show and her ideas DO work.

I agree with the others... I just add a shot or two of juice. Purple grape juice seems to work best - probably because it has a strong flavor.

Check with your Dr., if this ok, but you might try putting it in some juice or milk (whichever he will drink down fastest). Not sure if there are any negatives to mixing them together, but I figure you'll at least get it into him.

Hi B.
Not sure where you get your medicine filled but Wal Greens has a service where they will flavor the medicine filled there with a variety of flavors for $2.97 which I use for my son because he does not like the regular flavor of the clariton allergy liquid medicine..You might want to try that :-) Hope this helps
K.

Explain to him why he has to take it ie.... if you want your nose to stop running or your cough to stop. Then give him a icecube or a glass of water before taking the medicene. It helps to numb the tounge so you can't taste the medicene.

Hi B.,

My son has been taking meds since he was a few months old. Try mixing it with a very small amount of juice - something that will diguise the taste.

L.