Medication
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#1116
Name of Child: ______________________________ Date: _________________
Help Your Child Take Medicine
There are many things you can do to help your child take medicine when it is needed.
Explain why medicine is important
Children do better when they understand. Children understand differently as they
grow and develop.
Toddlers and pre-schoolers
• Use simple words to explain why the medicine is needed. “This medicine will help you feel better.”
• Before giving the medicine, tell your child what he or she will see, hear, feel, smell, or taste.
• Help the child notice the medicine is working. “It is easier to breathe now, isn’t it?”
• Let your child play with a medicine spoon, cup, or syringe. It will help your child feel safe and comfortable with them.
School-age children
• They are old enough to understand more.
• If you child asks questions, answer clearly and tell the truth.
• Before giving the medicine, tell your child what he or she will see, hear, feel, smell, or taste.
• Tell your child what each medicine is for, and why he or she needs it.
Make it easy
• Keep a routine for giving medicine. Give the medicine the same way, each time. Give it in the same room, if possible. It may take time to find out what works.
• Before giving medicine, spend quiet time with your child. Prepare by being calm and soothing.
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• Always watch your child taking the medicine.
• Role model. Show your child when you take medicine.
• After your child takes the medicine, reward with praise or a hug. Do something fun together.
When starting a new medicine, ask the pharmacist
— if you have a choice of liquid or pills.
— what the liquid medicine will taste like. The pharmacist may be able to mix the medicine with a flavor your child likes, like grape or cherry.
— if the medicine can be mixed into juice or apple sauce.
— if a pill can be crushed and mixed with food. Some time-released pills should only be taken whole. Some medicine should not be crushed. Some medicine should not be mixed with certain foods.
How to give liquid medicine to a baby
1. Hold the baby as you would to feed.
2. Put the right amount of medicine in an oral syringe.
3. Put the tip of the syringe on the inside of the baby’s cheek, and slowly squirt. Do not squirt the medicine into the baby’s throat. This could make the baby gag or choke.
How to give liquid medicine to a child
1. Let your child choose whether to use an oral syringe, medicine spoon, or medicine cup.
2. Put the right amount of medicine in the one your child chose.
3. Give your child the choice between putting the medicine in his or her own mouth, or having you do it.
4. Tell the child to swallow.
5. Let your child choose what to drink after the medicine. If taking a large amount of medicine, your child may wait a few minutes before drinking.
How to give a tablet or capsule
• Swallowing pills can be scary for children. They often worry about choking.
• Children who are school-aged can learn how to take pills. However, not all children will be ready by the same age. Be patient. Encourage your child to swallow pills, but do not force your child.
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• For a baby, if the medicine can be mixed into apple sauce it can be given through a medicine syringe. You may have to cut off the tip of the syringe so the medicine can fit.
• Let your child choose what to drink with the medicine, or after the medicine.
• If you need help teaching your child how to take pills, ask your Child Life Specialist.
If your child resists
• Expect your child will take the medicine. It is necessary.
• Do not argue with or hold your child down to take the medicine.
• Offer choices like, “Do you want orange juice or grape juice after the medicine?”
• Offer your child an ice cube or ice pop before and after taking the medicine. This may numb the mouth and cover up the taste. Say, “This may help to not taste the medicine as much.”
• If your child does not like the taste of the medicine, ask your pharmacist if the medicine can be mixed with a liquid or soft food. If possible, give your child choices between a few foods or liquids.
• Don’t trick your child by mixing medicine his or her food and not telling the child.
• If you need help giving your child medicine, talk to your Child Life Specialist, nurse, or doctor.
Now that you’ve read this:
p Show your child life specialist or nurse how you would give this medicine to your child. (Check when done.)
p Tell your child life specialist or nurse what you might do if you have trouble giving your child this medicine. (Check when done.)
If you have any questions or concerns,
p call your child’s doctor or p call ______________________
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If you want to know more about child health and illness,
visit our library at The Emily Center at Phoenix Children’s Hospital
1919 East Thomas Road
Phoenix, AZ 85016
602-933-1400
866-933-6459
www.phoenixchildrens.org
Facebook: facebook.com/theemilycenter
Twitter: @emilycenter
Pinterest : pinterest.com/emilycenter
Disclaimer
The information provided at this site is intended to be general information, and is provided for educational purposes only. It is
not intended to take the place of examination, treatment, or consultation with a physician. Phoenix Children’s Hospital urges
you to contact your physician with any questions you may have about a medical condition.
June 5, 2015 • DRAFT to family review
#1116 • Written by K. Knutson • Illustrated by Irene Takamizu
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Si usted desea esta información en español,
por favor pídasela a su enfermero o doctor
#1116
Help Your Child Take Medicine
Name of Health Care Provider: _______________________________
Date returned: ____________ p db
Family Review of Handout
Health care providers: Please teach families with this handout.
Families: Please let us know what you think of this handout.
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Please circle the parts of the handout that were hard to understand.
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Please return your review of this handout to your nurse or doctor
or send it to the address below.
The Emily Center602-933-1395
Health Education Specialist
Phoenix Children’s Hospital
1919 East Thomas Road
Phoenix, AZ 85016-7710
Thank you for helping us!
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p No