What are some methods to getting a 3 yr old to take several medicines?

Question

My child has to take 11 different medicines a day that we put into his feeding tube. Now the doctors want to take out the tube. We have tried every way that we can think of and there is no convining him to put the meds in his mouth. we don't know how else to give them to him.

my son has to take 11 different medicines two times a day that we now put down his feeding tube (which he has only for meds). the docs want to take out the tube and we don't know how else to convince him to put the meds in his mouth. we have tried many different ways like flavors, mixing in food, and talking to him about it. he has a speech delay so he does not understand why he has to take them. now the docs have his speech therapist tring to teach him to tke them him . the docs and nurses don't know how else other then ways that i tried already. he has needed these meds for about two years now and i tink he is just sick of dealing with them. any suggestions will help us .

Answer 1

I am so sorry for your situation. It must be very trying for you.

I am not sure what kinds of meds he has to have...but any liquid ones can be refrigerated (unless it specifies not to do so). It helps kill the medicine taste a little bit. Perhaps let him have a sweet treat, or a special privilege when he does take them.

Not sure what else to try. Good luck!

Answer 2

My daughter had to be on different medications for her kidneys..... She would throw fits and make her self gag/puke as young as 11 months old.

First I would talk with the doctor to see what medications can be reduced, or if there is a combined formula for any of the ones he is taking.
I would ask the pharmacy any of the meds come in different flavors or if there are flavors that are able to be added (to liquid medications).
See what meds are safe to add to juice (sometimes this is not recommended due to if the child will not drink all the juice so I would use just 2 oz to make sure my daughter could drink it all.
Practice getting your son to swallow say childrens tylenol when he needs it. This way you can switch from liquid to solid. It has less taste.
Make a drink available to wash out the bad taste when you can.
Offer a small reward.... What a big boy you are Jacob, you did it, you took them all, mommys so proud of you.

Answer 3

Talk to the doctors & nurses, especially nurses and get their ideas. A pharmasist could be helpful too -- there may be alternative forms of med with same result (liquids, suppositories, or a couple tiny pills instead of one big one) Some pharmacies also have the ability to custom mix flavors for liquid meds too, so keep a dialog going with your healthcare professionals.

If you are dealing wth tablets or capsules they can go down well in cold semi solids like ice cream, pudding, yogurt or applesauce depending on dietary needs and food preferences. But check with a pharmasist about food/medicine interactions just in case. If the child would be willing to learn you can practice with a tiny ball of squishy white bread on the toungue, and drinking to wash it down.

Answer 4

Try putting them into a drink and letting them disolve if they are pills, and make sure the drink gets all drank , even if you have to let him have some pop. Make it a treat you get to take pop with your meds once a day or something. And if he drinks it like a big boy he can have a snack or something. I am a big baby and can't swollow pills so i get alot of meds in liquid form if i get sick. So maybe they could do that for him. If i'm an adult and they do it for me then his meds should have at least some liquids.

Answer 5

It helps to know the nature of the medicines. Liquids are dealt with differently than solids. Find a liquid that you can put it in. He likes juice? Solids might be ground up and put in a paste or syrup. Before I could swallow pills, the contents of a capsule were spilled into a spoon. Then the spoon was filled with pancake syrup. I had no trouble with that. When learning how to swallow pills, I practiced with small pieces of onion. Flavoring helps too. If it is flavored, tell him so. DON'T lie to him. He will never trust you if he finds out you tricked him.

Answer 6

I've never had to worry about 11 medications before, but to get one or 2 liquid meds down - I get it ready in a plastic syringe thing, and let my 3 year old push the plunger.
That way she can control how fast it goes in her mouth & she thinks its fun.

Giving her some control made her more compliant.

Answer 7

I have to bribe my 4 year old to take any kind of meds. It depends on his mood but I will use food, tv or an activity. It is never easy but he normally gives in just to get the reward. I hope this helps and I will keep you and your child in my prayers.

Answer 8

When my 3 year old was diagnosised with CF, she took right to her meds. If they are liquid, try having the flavors added to them. If they are pills, make it kinda like a competition. "I bet you can't swallow these pills..." Just suggestions. Not real sure. Try asking the dr.

Answer 9

This one is easy for me...hope it works

whether its a pill or a liquid it can be crushed or poured into a "milk shake"
What kid doesn't like those?
Even if it's a healthy smoothie, presentation is everything and if its in a fancy glasss (margarita or martini-fun-colorful with a straw and umbrella!!) and served as a treat...how can they refuse?

Answer 10

My daughter is 3 years old and she use to give me a hard time to take cough medicine.. I just talked to her and told her that she is going to get better if she takes it and she listened.

Now when she has a cold she tells me that she has to take her medicine to get better... Do not worry, just talk to him and tell him that he will get better if he takes his medicine.. (Good Luck)!!!!