My 4 year old son won't take his medicine. He has to be literally held down and pour the medicine down his throat. Then, even if it tastes good, he will try to throw it up. He knows he has to take it one way or another and he still won't cooperate. This has been going on for a year now. I've tried rewards and praise, I've tried threats of going to the hospital. I've tried shots, although some meds don't come in the form of shots. I've tried putting it with applesauce and sugar and that only worked once. He doesn't like jelly so I can't do that. Now, he has a sinus infection with and ear infection so he has a couple of different meds he has to take. I always give medicine on a full tummy so it won't upset it. He is old enough that he understands cause and effect, so I have tried explaining to him that it will make it all better and make the hurt go away but he still won't take it. I've tried telling him that if he doesn't take the medicine to make his ear better he might lose his hearing and he tells me "I don't want to hear." Anything I try to explain he always has a come-back. I don't know why he won't take any kind of medicine for anything, but if anyone has any suggestions on how to get him to take it a little easier, I would appreciate it! I'm so fed up with this behavior I just don't know what to do.
Well, he's done with his medicine and everything i tried didn't work and i still had to fight him. but, i have some good suggestions for the next time he needs medicine. i think the first thing i will try is pills instead of liquid, and we'll just have to go from there. I thank you all for all of your suggestions, and hopefully the next time won't be so hard. also i think as he gets older it will be easier. Thanks again
Put some in his juice, ask the pharmacist first but I think all meds are safe to mix in his morning juice and he will never know, just make sure he finishes his juice. He is playing "power struggle" with you, for his own good don't let him win. Tell him the sooner he finishes his meds the sooner he won't have to take them!!!
I would stop fighting him with words and physical strength and fight him with will power. He has decided this is a fight he is going to win even though I am sure he can not remember why he even started it any more.
First thing in the morning put the medicine in the container and set it on the kitchen table. Have him sit on a kitchen chair. Tell him you are not going to make him take it but that he is going to sit here until he does, and he is not going to do anything else until he does. Don't let him eat breakfast, get a drink, play, talk to his little brother, he just has to sit there until he takes it. If he cries let him--tell him he will be able to move when he takes it, or get whatever it is he needs when he takes it. He will eventually take it. Then he can have breakfast and go on with his day. Do it again the next time if you have to. And again the next time. don't give in.
Sometimes battles like this are won with will power--who has more of it--he needs to know it isn't him. You actually will win more battles then you know by winning this one now.
Our littlest guy had swallowing difficulties and the doctors often prescribed chewables or crushables. That might make it easier. Either because he'll chew it, or, I found they were easier to disguize. We have an older one that hates liquids, but loves chewables and dissolvables (think Benadryl thin strips). I don't know if any of those are options, but you might ask your doctor.
put it in ice cream, he will never no
Could you possible put the medicine in a smoothie?
J.,
Wow sounds like you have your hands full! I know not all meds can come in a suppository form, but see what ones can and try that! I know you can get tylenol in suppostitory form, and I'd just see if the antibiotics can be a shot, then you'll be done with it. Or just drop it, don't say anything to him at all about taking the meds, and say you've thrown them away or something so he won't be suspicious, THEN see if you can slip it into a drink or food. Gosh hope it works for you! Good luck!!!!
Hi J.. Have you tried some kind of reward system, like a sticker chart or something? For example, make a chart and put a sticker on it every time he takes his medicine without a fight (let him choose the sticker and let him place it on the chart himself). Tell him that if he takes his medicine every day without fighting about it, you'll reward him with a special treat when he fills up his sticker chart - a fun outing, a new dvd, a new book, etc. I was a preschool teacher for several years and I found that this type of behavior was often a control issue. If you give him some of the control, it will empower him and give you back your sanity!
Hope this helps!
R. S. in Morrison, CO
My Mom use to make me a instant chocolate (with a blended up banana) breakfast drink. It worked every time. I think a small milkshake would work great too. (It's not a pill he will be taking every day for the rest of his life) It might be cool to get a treat every time he's sick.
Here is my kids favorite smothie recipe. Or just buy those Instant Chocolate breakfast packets at the store and add milk and half a banana.
INGREDIENTS
8 strawberries, hulled
1/2 cup skim milk
1/2 cup vanilla yogurt
3 tablespoons white sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
6 cubes ice, crushed
DIRECTIONS
In a blender combine strawberries, milk, yogurt, sugar and vanilla. Toss in the ice. Blend until smooth and creamy. Pour into glasses and serve.
