How can you teach older kids to swallow pills?
By cher913
@cher913 (25781)
Canada
May 3, 2007 2:05pm CST
They don't make suspension meds for her age!!)...so when she gets sick, she will have to take pills...i have tried the mini m&ms trick with her to try and get her to swallow pills, but she gags on those even........HELP
any suggestions?
Thanks in advance :-)
2 people like this
4 responses
@Blazing15 (333)
• United States
4 May 07
Wow I was writing my response and it disappeared. Anyways I never could swallow pills until I was 16. Someone taught me to put the liquid in my mouth first hold it there and then put the pills in and swallow. I just always hold my head back a little ways. Worked for me. Yes some people look at me weird when I do it but hey if it gets the job done. And for some reason I just can not take pills with water. I think the taste gets to me have her try it with some juice or pop.
@CritterKeeper (519)
• United States
3 May 07
Yes, I have a child that has to take daily pills for allergies that couldn't swallow them till I taught him a good trick! Have a full glass of water or something and have her eat something (bread, cookie, sandwhich, whatever). Have her chew up a small mouthful very well until she's ready to swallow it, pop the pill in, then swallow it along with the food. Then if she needs it she can wash it down the rest of the way with her drink. It's worked like a miracle for us!
@SpitFire179 (2536)
• Canada
3 May 07
well you could crush them and put them into something, but an easier trick is something i had to do for my little sister.
Just put the pill on her tong, and then make her take big swallows of the water, her throat will open to accommodate the water and she won't even feel the pill going down, and it's best if she finishes the whole glass of water when she takes the pill because she might feel like it's stuck - usually it's only the water buildup but no worries, this should work, it also works for my mother, and she can't even swallow a pea without chewing it.
@judyt00 (3497)
• Canada
3 May 07
Of course they make suspension meds for her age, just ask the pharmacist to make it liquid instead of pill form! Antibiotics can always be given in liquid form. You start by getting her to swallow something like a cheerio with milk and work your way from there. ou just have to make sure the pill is on the back of the tongue and that she has lots of juice or water to drink it down with.
