Medicating the Reluctant Toddler
By Meredith Newton Whiles
An earache strikes. You and your toddler make an unscheduled appearance at the neighborhood clinic, where a pediatrician confirms your suspicions and scrawls out a suitable cure. Then, after a trip to the pharmacy, you rush home to administer the dose. That's when the real battle begins.
If your toddler would rather eat kitty litter than swallow medicine, you're not alone. Toddlers the world over greet medicine spoons with, at best, a shake of the head, and at worst, a shake of the fist. And it isn't hard to determine why they don't like it. Have you ever tasted your child's medicine before offering it? Kitty litter might sound more agreeable even to you.
That being said, the medicine still must be swallowed, and understanding your child's resistance doesn't make it any easier to administer the dose. Below, a group of seasoned moms share their input on making medicine time more tolerable for all involved.
By far the easiest route these moms recommend is to look for a medicine your child will want to take. Some medicines, like Tylenol, come in a variety of flavors, and if you're lucky your toddler may find one acceptable. Grape is a popular choice, as is bubble gum.
Unfortunately, sometimes the medicine your toddler needs comes in only one flavor -- bad. When this occurs, Jessica, mom to 2-year-old Mia, suggests mixing it with a sweet treat, like applesauce or chocolate pudding. But be forewarned. This won't work if your toddler sees you do it, or if she doesn't finish the doctored dessert.
Try using a dropper rather than a medicine spoon. The dropper can be emptied more quickly if the medicine is thick, and you can aim it towards the side of the mouth, away from the majority of the taste buds and the gag reflex. If your child does gag, or vomits the medicine for any other reason within 15-30 minutes, he will probably need to be re-dosed.
Forcing a dose can be heartwrenching, and parents who have to resort to this regularly may be tempted to give up on administering the medicine their children need. First, a doctor or pharmacist may be able to suggest an alternative form of the prescribed drug, like a suppository, injection or chewable tablet. And the parents of children suffering from chronic illnesses that require frequent medication may have additional options to consider. A tube can be inserted into the stomach through the nose or abdomen and left in place, or the child's doctor may recommend an intravenous line for injectable medication. These methods come with their own sets of problems. For example, the child's access to the tubes will need to be restricted, but for many families they prove to be adequate solutions.
Whether your child is struggling with a chronic illness or a simple flu, it helps to remember the best things to help him through any unpleasant experience: your patience and understanding.