My 11-year-old can't seem to swallow a pill, either with water or by itself. I try using gel-tabs (like Advil) but it never goes down. I think he's afraid of choking on it. Yeah, it's a weird problem but I'm tired of buying liquid medicine for him.
2006-09-17 14:43:20 · 14 answers · asked by KittyKat 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Parenting
I had this same problem as a child. Try having your child practice with green peas. Place the pea at the back of the tongue. The pea is non-threatening. Another trick is to toss the head back, swallowing at the same time. Leave the child alone to practice, remember, practice makes perfect.
2006-09-17 19:05:52 · answer #1 · answered by bluemustang 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Try having him put the pill way back by the throat and washing it down with liquid. Sometimes leaning the head back a little will help wash it down. Tell him to just concentrate on taking a big drink and not the pill. Also, if you put the pill to the side of the mouth away from the taste buds he won't taste the bitterness of some pills. Trial and error is the thing. Some pills might be wasted by having to spit them out til he gets it right, but just give him support and he'll get it eventually.
2006-09-17 22:23:01 · answer #2 · answered by janice r 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When my daughter started taking her medicine at age 7, I first put it in a tablespoon of yogurt or applesauce. After about 2 weeks she switched to water and has been fine ever since. I think she just needed to realize that it could be swallowed, and the consistency of yougurt/applesauce helps mask the pill and it doesn't have to go on tongue (can have a gag reflex when on tongue). Good luck!
2006-09-17 23:33:46 · answer #3 · answered by teacher/mother 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is best to take a pill with only a sip of water, not a big drink. AFter I read this recently I realized it was true. I taught my 7 year old daughter, who is 7, to take a pill recently since she hates the liquid medicines and the "strips". She puts it on her tongue and takes only a little sip. Works every time.
2006-09-17 22:25:34 · answer #4 · answered by toomanycommercials 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I just learned how to swallow pills last October. I am 22 now. It was really embarrassing, but I had a fear of choking to death on my pills. Buy her some applesauce, and have her swallow that . Cover the pill with applesauce and have her swallow it. It helped me tons. Good luck.
2006-09-17 22:02:04 · answer #5 · answered by sweenygirll 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
im 21 now and i still can not swallow a pill... some people just cant... ive tried for years.. and i can never seem to get it down even with the applesauce and the sneaking it in things... but im the type that needs to chew everyhitng to little tiny bits before i can swallow it ... but what i get as far as medicinces is the chewable junior strength mortin and target has their own version... its the same as regular it is just chewable...
2006-09-18 00:41:16 · answer #6 · answered by iAmJustMe 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hide it in a chunk of liverwurst. Oh sorry, that's how to get a dog to take a pill.
Seriously, ask your doctor or pharmacist before you crush a pill. This might be a bad idea with some medications.
2006-09-18 11:59:50 · answer #7 · answered by Adoptive Father 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
crush up a pill and put it on a spoon with water. tell him to plug his nose and swallow then take a drink
2006-09-17 22:02:18 · answer #8 · answered by Lisa Marie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My mom always bought tablets and crushed them in a spoonful of jelly. It helped with the acidic taste and that is the only way I remember taking pills.
2006-09-17 22:00:23 · answer #9 · answered by S. O. 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Sneak it in something, and when he swallows it say "Hey, you just swllowed a pill! :D"
I try to completely forget the pills are there, and I can take large ones without water...
2006-09-17 21:51:13 · answer #10 · answered by Mike 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋