5 Tips for Getting Children to Take Cough Medicine
Getting your child to take his or her medicine is important, but it isn’t always easy. Here are some tips that can help to make cough medicine for children a little easier to use.
1. Disguise the Taste:
Cough medicine for children is usually sweetened or flavoured to help it go down, but that doesn’t mean that every child is going to enjoy the taste. If your child is reluctant to swallow the medicine, one trick you can use is to disguise its taste. Coating the spoon in something like chocolate syrup can be a good way to do this. You could also try giving your child an ice lolly just before the medicine as the cold will numb his or her tongue.
2. Offer a Reward:
Giving your child a treat after the medicine can make them a bit more eager to take it. Choose something that works for your child, whether it is a nice snack, a toy, or having you read a story.
3. Get Someone Else to Try:
Sometimes it can be easier to get someone else to give your child the medicine. If you are feeling tired and frustrated, it can add to the problem. It can also be easier for your child to say no to you than to someone they are less familiar with, like a grandparent.
4. Change Your Approach:
Getting your child to feel better about taking medicine can make it much easier. Your attitude is important, so try to remain calm and reasonable even if you are finding it difficult. You can also shape your child’s attitude by helping them to understand why they need the medicine, if they are old enough. Explain that the medicine will help them to feel better, and remind them that it is thanks to the medicine when they are feeling better later on. You could also try getting them to feed medicine to a favourite toy.
5. Ask Your Doctor:
If you are still having trouble, it might be worth talking to your doctor. They might be able to recommend another cough medicine for children that tastes different or needs to be taken less often, which could make it much easier.
1. Disguise the Taste:
Cough medicine for children is usually sweetened or flavoured to help it go down, but that doesn’t mean that every child is going to enjoy the taste. If your child is reluctant to swallow the medicine, one trick you can use is to disguise its taste. Coating the spoon in something like chocolate syrup can be a good way to do this. You could also try giving your child an ice lolly just before the medicine as the cold will numb his or her tongue.
2. Offer a Reward:
Giving your child a treat after the medicine can make them a bit more eager to take it. Choose something that works for your child, whether it is a nice snack, a toy, or having you read a story.
3. Get Someone Else to Try:
Sometimes it can be easier to get someone else to give your child the medicine. If you are feeling tired and frustrated, it can add to the problem. It can also be easier for your child to say no to you than to someone they are less familiar with, like a grandparent.
4. Change Your Approach:
Getting your child to feel better about taking medicine can make it much easier. Your attitude is important, so try to remain calm and reasonable even if you are finding it difficult. You can also shape your child’s attitude by helping them to understand why they need the medicine, if they are old enough. Explain that the medicine will help them to feel better, and remind them that it is thanks to the medicine when they are feeling better later on. You could also try getting them to feed medicine to a favourite toy.
5. Ask Your Doctor:
If you are still having trouble, it might be worth talking to your doctor. They might be able to recommend another cough medicine for children that tastes different or needs to be taken less often, which could make it much easier.