Tips for Effectively Administering Medicine to Your Toddler

Fun and games with medicine is all good, but what can you do when a toddler may be too sick or disinterested for you to play games? What can you do to ensure the medicine gets swallowed? Here are some tips:

• Use a syringe if a spoon doesn't work or use a spoon for a syringe-averse kid.
• Aim the medicine for the back of the mouth, where it's less likely to taste bad and less likely to spill out.
• Always ensure the child is upright when taking medicines.
• If possible, mix the medicine with meals or a strong liquid such as juice. Do this only under doctor advisement.
• Walk your child through the steps of administering the medicine so he/she is prepared.
• Let your child know that the medicine will help him/her feel better by making the sniffles (or the coughing, itchiness, or achiness etc.) go away.
• When all else fails, use force. You will need someone to hold the child's flailing arms and legs, while you hold the child's nose (so that he/she is forced to breathe and cry through the mouth) so that you can administer the medicine. The use of this kind of force is justified when it's a question of health, preventing complications, and saving lives.