A lot of parents can relate to the struggles of getting kids to take medicine—particularly ones that taste unpleasant. What some fail to realize is that forcing a resisting child can result in harmful consequences like choking, vomiting, or even trauma. To avoid this, Pack Pharmacy, a trusted and established pharmacy in Cincinnati, OH, gives a few practical techniques to help you out.

5 Tips on Giving Medicine to Kids

1. Have a Positive Attitude

Before giving the medicine, act positively, since children can pick up cues from your body language, tone, and emotions. Children tend to feel uncomfortable if they notice that you, as a parent, look anxious or worried. One way to handle this is by treating the act as a bonding activity for both of you.

2. Improve the Taste

Many medications taste bitter or metallic, but some can be improved by adding flavors. A pharmacy can mix in a variety of flavors like chocolate, root beer, watermelon, or bubblegum to mask the bitterness. If this is not possible, ask your doctor for other options, such as medicines with a higher concentration for less frequent intake, or chewable tablets instead of liquids.

3. Steer Clear of the Tongue

Another way to help bitter medicine go down is to numb the taste buds with ice or popsicles. If this doesn’t work, you can use a dropper or syringe to squeeze the liquid medicine to the back or side of the tongue. Avoid squirting the medication into the back of the throat, as this might cause your child to choke.

4. Give Them Control

If possible, let your children decide on the flavor, as well as when and how they want to take the medicines to empower them. To make them feel more comfortable, have them pretend to give medicines to their toys. Reward them properly for their behavior as an encouragement. As early as four years old, teach your children how to swallow pills by using tiny candies or sprinkles.

5. Be Honest

When your children are older, explain what the medicine is for and how it will help make them feel better. Avoid tricking them by saying their medications are delicious or that they taste like candy, which might encourage your children to take them on their own and overdose.

Ease the stress of medicine time by asking your local pharmacy for available flavors to mask bitter-tasting medications. The team of friendly professionals at Pack Pharmacy is ready to assist you with pharmacist consultations, prescriptions, and over-the-counter medications. Call (513) 871-7770 today or visit their website to learn more about local deliveries in the area.