Unlike most adults who are used to having to swallow common medication such as painkillers, children may often find this very anxiety-provoking and stressful. As a result it is important that any concerns the child has about medication are discussed with both therapist and parents.
Some examples of effective, practical suggestions for helping children to cope with swallowing medication include:
- Using flavoured drinks
- Practising with sweets
- Coating tablets
- Putting tablets in food
Flavoured Drinks Help Children Swallow Medication
As many forms of medication do tend to have a rather unpleasant bitter or sometimes metallic taste it may be very helpful to use a drink which has a strong flavour. Taking the child to the supermarket to choose a favourite drink just for at medication times will help the child feel special and encourage him to see swallowing tablets as less frightening.
However, it is a good idea to check with the child's medical practitioner to make sure that any drink taken (other than water) to swallow medication does not cause any reactions or interfere with the absorption.
Sweets to Help Children Take Medication
As many children may likely find swallowing a pill frightening it is a good idea to start getting them used to this action by beginning with small sweets. Gradually over a period of time begin to very slowly increase the size of sweets until the child is no longer fearful of having a sweet of similar size or larger than the medication.
It is important that the child does not feel under pressure so try to remain as calm and patient as possible as children are usually particularly sensitive to emotions exhibited by their parents.
Coating Tablets Helps Children Swallow Medication
Another effective way of helping children to cope with having to swallow medication is to find something they like to spoon over the tablet. Sauces such as apple sauce, chocolate sauce as well as things like syrup, flavoured yogurt and peanut butter may all provide a means of distracting the child's senses away from the taste of the tablet.
Using Food to Disguise Medication
If all of the above has proven to be ineffective in helping a child to swallow his or her medication then it may be a good idea to completely disguise the tablet by placing it in the middle of a favourite food. First let the child have a portion of the food and then offer him another amount with the pill placed inside. Small savoury or sugary treats, particularly anything that has a chewy element to it are probably the best foods to use.
As highlighted above, try not let the child feel pressurised in any way as it is important to help children who regularly require medication to not see it as anything to be worried about. An alternative to swallowing tablets, if all else fails, the child may have to have injections in hospital.
Source:
Anglada, T. & Hakala, S. The Childhood Bipolar Disorder Answerbook Illinois: Sourcebooks, 2008.
Kate Le Page - Kate Henning-Le Page writes about eating disorders, body image and recovery issues. She specializes in anorexia recovery.
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