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#askalyson: how do i get my child to take their medicine?

it’s common for kids (and adults!) to not like taking medicine. this can be for a host of reasons.

by alyson schafer
published nov 27, 2023
read time 3 minute read
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read time 3 minute read
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#askalyson: how do i get my child to take their medicine?
kids who need needles can benefit from an analgesic skin cream, or putting ice on the area first. getty images
dear alyson, my seven-year-old son hates taking medicine. it’s a nightmare whenever he gets sick. i don’t want to traumatize him by forcing him, but what else can i do to encourage him to be more co-operative and just take the meds without the tears and fighting? 
signed,
worried dad
—
dear worried dad,
thanks for the question! i am sure my advice to you will also help many others, especially as we are heading into the winter season. lots of kiddies will be dealing with runny noses, colds, flu, respiratory infections and more.
it’s common for kids (and adults!) to not like taking medicine. this can be for a host of reasons.  some just plain taste terrible! swallowing pills can trigger a gag reflex, while other kids plainly don’t like the idea of eating something that is not food. of course, no one enjoys getting a needle!
so, what is a parent to do? thankfully we have a bunch of strategies to deploy here that can make the administration of medicine go more smoothly. pediatric doctors and nurses have these mastered!
make it fun. just like parents pretend the spoon is an airplane to get kids to eat squash, try to keep the tone light and fun and playful. i know that is hard when you are feeling worried and fearful that you’re not going to get that medicine in, but becoming stressed and terse will only make matters worse. turn anything into a silly moment or game and you will have more engagement and co-operation from kids.

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pass on control. some kids who refuse medicine are actually just pushing back against being told what and when to do things. on average kids get about 200 compliance requests a day! “hang your coat up, brush your teeth etc” they get fed up! refusing your orders to take their medicine is a great way to defeat you in a power struggle. they can refuse to open their mouth, spit it out, throw it up. children really have the upper hand in this fight! if you think this might be part of the problem with your child, i suggest you try empowering them by passing some of the control over to them. you can do that by offering them some limited choices. let me give you some examples:
“you need to take your medicine; would you like to take it in the bathroom or your bedroom?”
“what spoon would you like me to use?” 
“would you like cough syrup before or after story time?” 
the reason offering choices works so magically, is because the child feels they are being involved in the decision making about themselves and this gives them a feeling of control, agency and respect.  those feelings lead to more cooperation as well since the medicine no longer feels forced upon them.
optional versus mandatory. pick your battles. if the medicine is solely to make them feel better and they refuse, let it go. the less you insist, the more likely they will work with you to take the mandatory meds. “i know gargling with salt water is yucky – but is it yuckier than how sore your throat is?” i guess you’d rather be sore. that’s your choice to make”.
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improve the flavour. work with your pharmacy and doctor on this one. my kids didn’t mind bubble gum penicillin but hated the banana flavour. some medicines can be added to ice cream or applesauce. try coating the mouth with chocolate first. who doesn’t love chocolate??
celebrate. i am not a fan of reward charts, but i do like the idea of celebrating an accomplishment. that can be a high five, a happy dance, or knowing once they push through taking their medicine they can call grandma and tell her how brave they were.
reduce the pain. kids who need needles can benefit from an analgesic skin cream, or putting ice on the area first. another pain reducing approach is to use a vibrational device. speak to your child’s pediatrician to see if there are any other latest and greatest gadgets that work.
good old distraction. for all we complain about kids and tech, sometimes we can use the immense pull of these devices to our advantage. how about throwing back that pill while you’re deep into a game of roblox? or get that needle while you watch paw patrol?
i hope this helps and that everyone has a healthy winter!
alyson
alyson schafer is one of canada’s leading parenting experts. she can be reached at hello@alysonschafer.com or on social media @alysonschafer.
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