How to get a toddler to take his medicine

[Avila]

Just ask VOW!!  

Seriously, though, mask the flavor.  VOW suggested chocolate syrup or maple syrup.  I used jelly & fed it on a spoon, especially since his medicine already tastes like berries anyway.  He even said, "pwea?" for more!  YAY!!!

 

[dinkime]

i always told the girl i nannied for "have some juice" & since we used the little cup, she was happy just to use the "big girl cup"

 

[mistygail]

What a great idea! I am gonna have to try this with the girls!

 

[Evening Mist]

We have trouble with antibiotics. They are nasty, our kids are smart, and there is just no masking the taste. We resort to bribery for antibiotics.

For other kinds of medicine -- like allergy medicine or tylenol, we let it be "their choice." We kind of lay it out for them -- even the 2 year old -- "this medicine will keep you from coughing all night long and help you to rest, or take away your ear owie, or whatever." Then we set it on the counter with a drink of water and stand back. Sometimes they grimace and take it. Sometimes they go to bed without it. When they choose to skip it, they are usually up again within 20 minutes saying they changed their mind, and asking for another chance.

Once or twice we've had to force pain medication in the middler the night when they could not wake up enough to reason with them, but they were in too much pain to actually fall sound asleep either. I hate doing that.

 

[Beckijhn]

*****At what age? When they were little he masked it or forced it (especially eye drops and ear drops - sitting on a kids arms and holding th eye open - poor baby). After about 4 or 5 they don't have a choice and obediently take it. Usually followed by yummy juice or popsicles.

Even now my poor 12yodd has to take some REALLY nasty vitamins (liquid and powerful) that make me gag at the smell, but she takes it and grimaces, then moves on.

I don't make them take allergy or pain meds, that's their choice unless they sniffle and rub nose and eyes to an extreme. Then they have to!!!!*****

ooooh, just read the title LOL - I hold them down! ~smile~

 

[Lynn]

just spread it on their paws and they'll lick it off.....

oh wait, that's for cats!!

 

[Amy]

LOL, Lynn!!

 

[Doreen]

I mostly have to get Lillian (my 2 and a half yr old) onto floor, put my legs lover hers, get her into a wrestling grip and then squirt medicine down throuat while she's complaining. or else wait till she's in bath then surprize her - then when she spits she's easier to clean up!!!!!

 

[Dewjunkie]

I guess we're fortunate, we've not had trouble getting our daughter (2) to take her meds. For allergy/cold we get the bubble gum flavored Benadryl, she seems to like the taste of it, she'll just drink and tell me she's "a big girl" for taking it. She actually asks for her vitamins. My wife has to take a regiment of pills morning and night, so Chloe thinks she's being like mommy by taking her pill. It's actually kinda cute.

Sorry, no suggestions as far as how to disguise the taste.

 

[lucypevensie]

I've not had a problem with getting my kids to take stuff either. I almost have the opposite problem, where they will ask for the stuff even if they're not sick. I have to keep the stuff up on a hiiigghhhh shelf.

I have a daily regimen myself of taking supplements and meds. When they see me doing that they come running over and ask for their vitamins too. We get vitamins that are shaped like animals, then we have a guessing game, which color animal do you think you will get, and what animal will it be? ( I close my eyes and pick). The most coveted vitamin in our house is the cat shaped one

 

[foreverloved03]

Lucky me I my kids take there meds pretty good----they haven't really been sick much *thank you Lord*.... I just put their fever reducers or what not in their juice and they don't seem to notice it. good luck!