Just a Spoonful of Sugar and 10 Other Ways I've Tried to Get My Kids to Take Their Medicine
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I'm not scared of my kids, really. That is until the doctor tells us we need to give them medicine. As soon as they see the doctor pull out his prescription pad, they close up tight as can be. My youngest son has a highly sensitive gag reflex that seems to come into play whenever he needs to take medicine. If I can even get the medicine into his mouth, nine times out of 10 he's vomiting it out before I've put down the dispenser. I've tried almost everything there is to get the medicine in him and am here to tell you that perseverance pays off. This week, the nurse in our pediatrician's office gave me a new idea, and lo and behold, it worked!
If you've got a medicine-averse child, check out these 10 methods — one's sure to work for you!
Oral Syringe
Designed for babies, oral syringes are great for aiming small amounts of medicine to a specific part of the mouth. Many doctors suggest aiming the medicine at the cheek or the back of the throat to bypass the taste buds in the front of the mouth.
My Kids' Verdict: Let's just say that I was covered in medicine and more after attempting to shoot the medicine down their throats.
Flavored Medicine
Many local (and national chain) pharmacies offer to flavor kids' medicines for just a few dollars more. According to my kids, the grape and strawberry flavors are the best, but they don't always mask the taste (or texture) of the medicine.
My Kids' Verdict: Nope, a little flavoring didn't do the trick for us, resulting in a puddle of medicine (and other bodily fluids) on our bathroom floor.
Distract Them
If there's a show or game that totally consumes your tots, let them indulge. It may distract them enough to not even realize they are taking the medicine.
My Kids' Verdict: Unfortunately, they were never so into a show that this method worked for us.
Yo Gabba Gabba! Medicine-Time Flavor Spray
Now I can't say that I've actually tried this one, but Yo Gabba Gabba! Medicine-Time Flavor Spray ($10) is made by the people who make the flavoring for medicine. You're supposed to spray it on your child's tongue immediately before and after they take the medicine to help disguise the taste. I'd be willing to try it!
My Kids' Verdict: We haven't tried it firsthand, but both the kids and I are intrigued.
A Chocolate Chaser
According to some moms, it's not a spoonful of sugar but a spoonful of chocolate that helps the medicine go down. I don't know if it's the promise of a spoonful of chocolate or the actual confection, but they swear it works.
My Kids' Verdict: Unfortunately, we never got the medicine down enough on its own to even try this.
Ava the Elephant
Designed to take the fear out of taking medicine, Ava the Elephant ($10) talks (and sings) to kids to lighten the mood. The nonthreatening medicine dispenser is supposed to make kids more comfortable with the process.
My Kids' Verdict: Unfortunately, my kids are probably too old for this now, but I would have tried it!
Mix It With Ice Cream
One of the first suggestions our doctor made was mixing the medicine with some of my son's favorite ice cream. I thought it would work because he loves ice cream, but getting him to eat the entire bowl was another story.
My Kids' Verdict: The medicine went down and came right back up before we could even get him to finish it.
Mix It With Applsauce
Like ice cream, applesauce is a favorite place to hide medicine — it's a kiddie favorite, it's bursting with flavor of its own, and it can be easily mixed.
My Kids' Verdict: Suddenly applesauce wasn't my little one's favorite snack. He wouldn't go near it.
The Lollipop
A nurse in our pediatrician's office suggested this one to me the last time my tot was sick. Dip a small lollipop in the medicine and let the child lick/suck it off each time they dip it. When the medicine's gone, they can finish up the lollipop.
My Kids' Verdict: Believe it or not, it not only worked, but when the doctor told him he'd need to take medicine this time around, my son asked for it this way. Photo: Rebecca Gruber
Strawberry Daiquiri
Before you think that I gave my son an alcoholic beverage, keep in mind that this is just the frozen mixer used to create the cocktail. The doctor suggested grape juice concentrate, but my son immediately spit that one out. A second trip to the store found this bounty.
My Kids' Verdict: A few drops of defrosted strawberry daiquiri mix added to the teaspoon of medicine did the trick this time around (and yes, a call to the doctor confirmed that this was safe). Who knew? Photo: Rebecca Gruber