Sometimes even adults find it difficult to swallow pills, and it's even harder for young children.
How to teach your child to swallow pills: 5 tips for parents.
Sometimes children need to take medication as well. In these situations, many parents encounter a common issue: their child doesn’t understand how to swallow a large pill or is simply afraid to do so. Here’s how to teach kids to take tablets without tears or tantrums.
https://www.techinsider.ru/science/1540424-kak-nauchit-rebenka-glotat-tabletki-5-prostyh-shagov/2024-11-27 08:19:07
If a child is afraid of swallowing a pill, avoid yelling or putting pressure on them. By following these steps, you can quickly and easily teach your child to take medication without tears or stress.
Do not engage in self-medication! In our articles, we compile the latest scientific data and opinions from authoritative health experts. However, remember that only a doctor can diagnose and prescribe treatment.Unfortunately, some parents inadvertently repeat the same mistakes while trying to teach their child this skill:
- They give the child a large pill right away, causing anxiety and a loss of confidence that everything will work out;
- They excessively pressure the child, forcing them to swallow unfamiliar and large objects;
- When the child struggles to swallow the pill on the first try, they openly get angry and yell, frightening the child.
However, teaching a child to take medication is not as difficult as it seems, provided you have patience and remember that this little person lacks your wisdom and life experience to quickly tackle a new task.
How to Teach a Child to Swallow Pills: 5 Steps
Experts from the University of Michigan (USA) recommend following this guide to ensure everything goes smoothly:
- The Five-Minute Rule. When you first start explaining to your child how to swallow a pill, it’s important not to overdo it. Each attempt should last no longer than five minutes so that the child does not perceive the medication-taking process as torture. If it doesn’t work in five minutes, let the child play and run around for a while, and then try again later.
- Reward for Effort. The skill of swallowing pills is indeed a skill that a child must learn, so don’t devalue it. If the child doesn’t succeed on the first try, boost their confidence with a small reward and encouraging words. For example, give them a funny sticker and tell them that everything is fine and they are doing great.
- Let Them Drink Water First. With a dry mouth and throat, even an experienced adult cannot swallow a pill calmly. Therefore, have the child sit down, give them a little water to drink, and then tell a story about how their throat and tongue are like a waterslide in a water park, and the pill wants to slide down into the pool. Usually, such distracting stories help the child relax.
- Start with Small Pills. If the child needs to take a large pill, it's better to practice swallowing small ones first. Place a small candy or vitamin in the middle of their tongue and ask them to swallow it with water. Gradually increase the size of the pills.
- Don’t Let the Child Get Scared. If at any point you realize that the child cannot swallow a larger pill (candy, vitamin), do not push them. Go back to the size that they managed to swallow and continue practicing. Over time, the child will understand that they can do it and learn to swallow larger pills.