Children may see a pill or tablet as a foreign object. There are ways to simply simplify the process.
A spoonful of sugar truly helps the medicine go down in the most delightful way, according to Mary Poppins. And there’s some truth to her magical words. But medicine in real life can meet resistance from young patients, and for some kiddos, making the leap from liquid or chewable medication to pills or tablets can be even more challenging.
A great way to teach your child to swallow pills is by using candy. Begin with a small sprinkle, then move up to larger candies such as mini M&Ms, Tic Tacs or jelly beans. These are small enough to be used as a practice pill. Turn it into a game and simply set out the mini M&Ms along with a glass of water. Tell your child that each time he passes the bowl, he should swallow one mini M&M with a sip of water. The trick is to keep the tiny treat in his mouth long enough for the color to transfer to his tongue.
Some real pills have a protective coating around them, which means if you do not swallow the medication quickly enough, it will start dissolving in your mouth, making it harder and more unpleasant to swallow. Water helps lubricate and protect the throat, so it is easier and safer to swallow the pill. With practice, your child can master this habit. Do make sure your child sits up straight so there is no choking.
Another trick is to have your child hold her nose. Have her pretend she’s getting ready to go underwater in a swimming pool—she puts the pill in her mouth, grabs some water, holds that nose, closes those eyes and swallows. This works because holding the nose stimulates the eustachian tube that affects swallowing. It also helps when the medication has a bad taste, as holding the nose restricts your sense of smell and thus your sense of taste.
Another way to make taking pills easier is to crush the pill into your child’s favorite food, such as applesauce, ice cream, gelatin, peanut butter, yogurt or icing on a cupcake. Eating food ensures that your child has some food in his stomach, which in turn protects his stomach lining from some medications.
A playful approach often helps hesitant children. You can pretend the throat and tongue are like a water slide and the pill is the rider. Your child’s job is to move the rider down the slide. Wheee! Remember, don’t force your child to practice taking pills at high pressure times, which increases stress levels. Practice should only last a few minutes at a time, with the goal of your little one’s feeling more confident at the end of each session. If your child is having trouble, go back down to a smaller item and start over.
Begin pill practice while your child is still on liquid medications. Moving to pills may actually be easier in the long run if you think about it. They are more portable and don’t need refrigeration. As in every learning activity, rewards go a long way. Stickers, a trip to the park or favorite restaurant, or allowing a bit of extra screen time are good ones. Always remind your child this is not a race and that he can take all the time he needs.
If your child is panicking or not feeling comfortable swallowing the larger candies, remember this is normal. The idea is to have her go back and practice again the next day, starting with the size she succeeded with the day before and working up from there. So each time she practices, she ends at a bigger size until she achieves the size of an actual pill.
Taking pills is a natural part of modern life, and as children master the process, they’ll be more relaxed and more confident about tackling all kinds of new challenges.
An avid outdoors girl, Judy Goppert lives in Lee’s Summit. She enjoys drawing on her personal experiences to write about the nuances of everything wonderful about life.
As always, please consult your health care provider with any questions or concerns.
Did you know?
Typically, children can begin swallowing pills around the age of 10; however, some children as young as 5 or 6 can learn to swallow pills.
To get started, your child should:
- Swallow a sip of water or a favorite drink.
- Place the smallest candy sprinkle on the middle of the tongue.
- Take another sip of the drink.
- Keep the head level.
- Swallow the drink with the candy.
- Take another sip to keep the candy moving.
Encourage your child to keep drinking if the candy does not go down in the first swallow. Children may need to practice many times with the same size candy before moving to the next size. Help children understand that it is normal for them to feel the “pill” in their throat. The more they practice, the easier it will become.
Sources: PsychologyToday.com, UKHealthCare.uky.edu, HealthBlog.UofMHealth.org