Need advice on helping a child swallow a pill.

[N&B'smom]

We went to the Dr today and my son needs an antibiotic. He asked if he could please take a pill because he hates liquid. He just attempted to take the pill and it was a disaster, complete with gagging and tears. I don't know of any tips to give him. Anyone else have any ideas???

Thanks in advance.

Shelby

 

[clh2]

I have heard from my dear neighbor who is a nurse, that you use TIC TACs for your "learning pills." That way, if they stay in your mouth a tad too long before they swallow them, it at least won't taste bad. I've also heard M&M's are good too, but don't know if they were referring to the mini M&M's or the regular size.

 

[WDWfan36]

Well, I usually put it in food, such as oatmeal or bread. What they don't realise is that they eat food that is bigger then the pill itself. Just have him eat oatmeal and see if that helps. IT helps them swallow

 

[tinaluis]

My oldest daughter, who is now 10, has had to take rather large capsules 3x a day for the last 5 years and we got her used to them by first swallowing the mini M&Ms, then switching to the regular M&Ms and then the capsules. It took about 2 weeks, though, so I'm not sure if it will help in your situation.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I would call and get the liquid if he just can't do it. I still hate taking pills.

 

[Wish Upon A Star]

My DS (13) will not swallow pills . . .

First I have to crush the pill between two spoons, then I have to bury it in a teaspoon of applesauce or ice cream . . .then its no problem . . .

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

This is how I taught both of my DDs to swallow pills.

Place the pill on the front of your tongue (just back from the tip). Take a BIG sip of a drink and allow the pill to float into the liquid in your mouth then swallow it all down in one gulp.

Works every time.

DH refuses to try it my way and throws his pills to the back of his throat then tries to drink a drink really fast. He ends up gagging and choking every time.

 

[Mermaid02]

I'd also get him a liquid then practice with tic tacs for next time. My ds is a pro at pill taking now- but it wasn't always that way. The TicTacs helped a lot.

 

[N.Bailey]

This is how I taught both of my DDs to swallow pills.

Place the pill on the front of your tongue (just back from the tip). Take a BIG sip of a drink and allow the pill to float into the liquid in your mouth then swallow it all down in one gulp.

Works every time.

DH refuses to try it my way and throws his pills to the back of his throat then tries to drink a drink really fast. He ends up gagging and choking every time.

I would probably crush the pill and put it in some applesauce, pudding, etc. like some have mentioned.

This is the perfect advice for teaching them to swallow the pill, though. IMO, you can't stress enough that it should be a HUGE gulp (not a sip) of water. I can literally swallow 10 pills at one time by doing exactly this.

I don't know if your child is ready for this step though if he's crying. It's all a mind game and right now, IMO, his mind is not ready. Practice with the M&M minis first. Tonight, crush the pill and let him relax a bit.

 

[dizluvr71]

My DS9 has been swallowing pills since he was 3. He was sick alot as a baby and was a horrible patient. He would make himself gag and vomit with liquids or chewables. I remember being at the emergency room and the nurse came in to give him some liquid tylenol and I warned her, but she didn't listen, she got one sip of it in him and he projetile vomited all over her, the bed and the floor.

I learned early on, if it was antibiotics I started asking for a shot at the doctors office. If there was an occasion where he needed more we used the pills. His Ped. made sure they were not capsules, so I could cut them into smaller sizes if necessary.

Best of Luck!

 

[gopack]

This sounds weird, but put the pill in your mouth and then bring you head down forward so your chin almost touches your chest/neck area. The pill goes right down.

 

[Jen_in_NH]

My mom always gave them to us with a spoonful of applesauce. Worked great!

Just a thought for you - if you're going to crush them, check with the pharmacy first. Some medications cannot be crushed, and some taste so bad you wouldn't want to.

Jen

 

[luvsmickeymouse]

My DS (13) will not swallow pills . . .

First I have to crush the pill between two spoons, then I have to bury it in a teaspoon of applesauce or ice cream . . .then its no problem . . .

this is what i always did.

 

[MareQ]

My son has oral sensitivities - he cannot swallow pills or take liquids so we do chewable antibiotics when he needs them. Call the ped and see if he can be switched over to a chewable then deal with the pill practice for the future

 

[HappyDznyCamper]

Another vote for trying it with the tic tac first, so he can get used to the feel without the nasty taste.

 

[MI mom of 3]

Buy some Pixie Sticks, use the PS that matches the color of the pill. Crush the pill placing it on a folded piece of paper. Poor out half of the PS onto the paper, throw away the rest. Mix the powders together. Using the fold of the paper pour the powder into the PS. Make a big deal out of giving child candy, this works even better if you have siblings you can give one to also. Child will swallow all of the pill without knowing it. A spoonfull of sugar you know

 

[marshallandcartersmo]

Buy some Pixie Sticks, use the PS that matches the color of the pill. Crush the pill placing it on a folded piece of paper. Poor out half of the PS onto the paper, throw away the rest. Mix the powders together. Using the fold of the paper pour the powder into the PS. Make a big deal out of giving child candy, this works even better if you have siblings you can give one to also. Child will swallow all of the pill without knowing it. A spoonfull of sugar you know

Great idea! My mom did almost the same thing for me when I was little (many moons ago)........she'd crush it on a tablespoon, then mix it with enough water to fill up the spoon, then put sugar on top. Sounds gross but you really just taste the sugar water.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

One of my boys had a real hard time learning how to swallow pills. I tried every hint that I read and nothing worked, so he used chewables until he was 12yo. This winter he got the flu and needed Tamiflu and the dr said that it was only available in tablets and that he needed to get over his problem with pills (or I could crush them). The dr was almost laughing since my son was well over 5' tall and sure looked old enough to swallow a little pill. Well, that tactic worked and he decided that he was old enough to swallow pills.

One thing that I read that works with some kids is to put the pill in the mouth and to drink some water using a straw. Good luck with your son!

 

[robinb]

Applesauce. Put the pill in a big dollop of applesauce and it shoud go right down.

 

[christygobar]

Like a previous poster said, be careful about crushing pills. A lot of the antibiotics I've seen lately state clearly on the bottle "take whole" which means no crushing or splitting in half. Those things can be horse pills (especially amoxocillian!), so I understand where he's coming from.

I find that I take pills easier when I'm drinking something that ISN'T water. A large glass of juice or milk just helps cover up the taste. And drinking a LOT helps.

I'm also a weird one who sticks the pills under my tongue and just swishes it back with a flick. That way I don't get the gagging reflex of putting them on the back of my tongue.

If your doctor will understand, it's probably best to ask for the liquid and do the practice techniques like everyone else has said (great ideas, btw!) for the next time.

Good luck!