Most children are not fond of taking medicine. No matter how reasonable their excuses are, it cannot defeat the importance of medication adherence. As a parent, you have to do what is best for your child. So what can you do when your pugnacious little one says no when taking their medicine? Let Caring Nurses Services show you how to do it.
- Disguise the awful taste.
Bitter-tasting medicines make it tempting for your child to spit it out. We cannot blame them. There are even adults who refuse to take medicines with awful taste. What should you do? Look for ways to disguise the taste. You can ask your pharmacist to add some sweet flavors to their medicine (referred as medication compounding). You can also hide their medicine in their favorite snack.
- Consult with their doctor.
The size of the medicine is another compelling reason which makes children hate ingesting their medicine. It is too big for them to swallow. You cannot force them to drink it without vomiting. The best way you can do is to schedule an appointment with their doctor and tell them about the problem. They can give you an alternative.
- Keep a positive attitude.
We know how frustrating it is when your youngster refuses to take their medicine. This does not, however, give you the right to throw a fit. The more you get frustrated, the more likely it is that they resist. Instead of scolding them, give them an encouraging smile. Let them understand why drinking their medicine is crucial for their health.
- Incorporate a game.
Make medication time something to look forward to. How do you do it? Play a game! Children cannot resist games. One game we can think of is “Doctor, I am sick!” You act as the doctor and your tot acts as the patient. Of course, there is a possibility that your little one will insist on acting as the doctor. If this happens, let them. Tell them that they can be the doctor in the next game.
- Give them a reward.
Children often respond well to a reward system. Every time they take their medicine, give them a candy or a chocolate. If they are not into sweet treats, you can try stickers or stamps. Give your little one a calendar and inform them how many days they have to drink their medicine. Every time they drink their med, put a star sticker or stamp on the calendar. Once they complete it, you will take them to an amusement park or take them out on an ice cream date.
Caring Nurses Services is a Home Care Agency in Edgewood, MD. One of the things we cater is Skilled Nursing Services for children and adults. Your little one is safe under our care because we are owned and operated by licensed nurses. If you wish to talk to one of our staff, feel free to contact us at 410-676-2222 or email us at caringnursing@yahoo.com.
