Childrens Health
Helping children take medicine
Giving your child medicine is not always easy, especially if medicine is new to your child, or your child does not like the taste.
The first thing to do is stay calm. This will help your child stay calm. Then try the tips below for ideas on talking to your child about taking medicine, giving your child medicine, and helping medicine taste better.
If your child needs to take more than one medicine, be sure to ask your pharmacist if you can give the medicines together, or if you need to give them at different times.
Talking to your child
If you are giving medicine to your baby, talk to them in a soothing voice to help them be calm.
With toddlers and older children, be gentle but firm. Help them understand why taking the medicine is important. For example, you could say, “I know you don’t like the taste of this medicine. But it will help you feel better.”
You can also ask your child what they think would make it easier for them to take the medicine.
After your child takes the medicine, tell them you’re proud of them. Giving praise makes it a more positive experience for your child, which makes it easier for you both the next time.
Liquid medicine
Liquid medicine is usually the best choice for babies and young children. It is also a good choice for older children who cannot swallow pills.
Measuring devices
Ask your pharmacist how to measure doses of liquid medicine with the measuring syringe or cup the pharmacist gives you. Don’t use kitchen spoons to measure medicine.
If your syringe or measuring device is broken or you can’t read the numbers on it, ask your pharmacist for a new measuring device.
Children younger than 2 years
If you are giving liquid medicine to a baby or very young child, slowly squirt or pour the medicine into their mouth, towards their cheek.
Toddlers and older children
Give a toddler or older child choices so they feel like they have some control. For example, ask your child if they want to sit or stand, hold the syringe, or choose what drink to have with the medicine.
Pills
Some medicines may come as pills (tablets or capsules). If you are concerned about pill size, talk to your pharmacist about ways to help your child take them, and see the tips below.
Learning to swallow pills
If your child is 5 years old or older, they can begin learning to swallow pills.
To start, try getting your child to swallow small candies until they can swallow candies the size of their pills.
It may help to put the pill on the back of your child’s tongue and have your child take a drink right away. Some children find it helps to use a straw, which allows them to concentrate on swallowing the drink instead of the medicine.
If your child has trouble swallowing pills
If your child has trouble swallowing pills, ask your pharmacist if the medicine comes in a liquid or chewable pill form.
If the medicine must be a pill, ask your pharmacist if you can crush or open the pill and mix it with a bit of food.
If your pharmacist says it is OK to crush or open the pills:
Empty out the whole capsule or crush the pills between 2 spoons. It’s easier to crush a pill if you add a few drops of water and let it soften for a few minutes.
Mix the crushed pills or powder from the capsules with a small amount of food your child likes. You could try apple sauce, jam, chocolate spread, or pudding. Make sure your child eats all the food to get the full dose.
Helping medicine taste better
If your child won’t take medicine because they do not like the taste, try the following:
Ask your pharmacist if you can mix liquid medicine with a little juice, water, milk, or formula to make the medicine taste better. Make sure your child drinks all the fluid to get the full dose of medicine.
Give your child a frozen treat before medicine. It helps numb their taste buds so the medicine does not taste as bad.
Give strong-tasting foods your child likes such as jam, syrup, chocolate, or a strong-tasting cheese after they take the medicine.
Ask your pharmacist if you can put your child’s liquid medicine in the fridge. Cold liquid medicine may not taste as strong, helping your child take it more easily.
If your child throws up
Ask your pharmacist what to do if your child throws up the medicine less than 1 hour after they take it.
If they throw up 1 hour or more after taking the medicine, the medicine will be in your child’s system, and you don’t have to give them another dose.
If you need support
If it is still hard to give your child medicine after trying these tips, talk to your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. They can help you make a plan to give your child the medicine they need.
To see this information online and learn more, visit MyHealth.Alberta.ca/health/aftercareinformation/pages/conditions.aspx?hwid=custom.ab_help_children_take_medicine_inst.
For 24/7 nurse advice and general health information call Health Link at 811.
Current as of: November 7, 2024
Author: Medication Quality and Safety Team – Pharmacy Services, Alberta Health Services
This material is not a substitute for the advice of a qualified health professional. This material is intended for general information only and is provided on an "as is", "where is" basis. Although reasonable efforts were made to confirm the accuracy of the information, Alberta Health Services does not make any representation or warranty, express, implied or statutory, as to the accuracy, reliability, completeness, applicability or fitness for a particular purpose of such information. Alberta Health Services expressly disclaims all liability for the use of these materials, and for any claims, actions, demands or suits arising from such use.
