Do you find your child turns into a wriggling Houdini when you go near them with a medicine spoon? Here’s Parent Panel dad Ben Wakeling with some fuss free tips.

A while ago Isaac had tonsillitis and was prescribed antibiotics. That seems straightforward enough you may think. However, getting the antibiotics down him was much more difficult. Trying to pry apart stiff fingers clamped over a mouth whilst holding a syringe full of medicine is a tricky job, especially when your youngest child has also just filled his nappy in the corner of the room.

When I finally managed to pry his hands away from his face and squirt the familiar yellow medicine into his clamped mouth using a syringe, he promptly yakked all over himself, and me and most of the furniture. This is obviously most unhelpful.

Many parents can empathise and, short of strapping your kid up in a straitjacket and sitting on them, it can be really tricky giving them something which they don’t seem to understand will ultimately help.

So here are some simple and helpful ways to essentially fool your child into taking his medication.

• Try to get liquid medicine instead of tablets as this will (or should) be easier for him to take. The medicine may be available in a range of flavours so make sure you ask your GP or pharmacist.

• Make up a story to help your child take his medicine. When I was little my dad told me that the medicine I was refusing had lots of little soldiers in it who would fight against the nasty bugs in my body. For some reason I found this appealing and took the medicine. It was only recently that I realised these were ALL LIES!

• Mix the medicine with something sweet such as honey, especially if the medicine is in tablet form. Check with your GP before you do this though as some medication does not dissolve easily.

• Use a syringe to administer the medicine. It didn’t work for me, but hopefully you’ll have better luck. Don’t do what I did and squirt the medicine straight down his throat otherwise it’ll come right back at you. Aim for the cheek.

• Try to involve your child as you give him your medicine. He can choose the spoon perhaps, or take it in little sips. Be sure to praise him like there’s no tomorrow once you finally do get the medicine into his mouth.

• If all else fails bribe your child with sweets. It’s not good for their teeth, but it’ll get the darn stuff down them.

What are your tips for getting your child to take their medicine?

Share on Facebook