education children Swallowing pills is a daily task that many of us don't bother with until the day we have a child who needs to do it.
If you've ever had to give your child pills, you know what a difficult task it can be. From vomiting to running away to refusing to open their mouth—you've seen it all.
Popping a pill or capsule may seem like a trivial task to you, but it's not the same for children. However, it's an important skill that you should teach your child with patience.
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Why should children be taught to swallow pills?
Most medications for children usually come in either chewable or syrup form, but some medications must be swallowed to be effective.
In fact, these pills may lose their potency or may not remain potent if chewed or crushed. In some cases, taking the pills in any other form rather than swallowing them whole can have fatal consequences.
This occurs when the medication is required to work slowly rather than all at once, and therefore requires that these medications be taken as a whole. Therefore, it is important to teach children how to swallow when such needs arise. With the right technique, patience, and experience, you can get children to swallow pills easily!
At what age can children be taught to swallow pills easily?
The age at which a child can swallow a pill can vary from child to child. Just as a child takes their time to get comfortable chewing and swallowing solid foods, the same may apply to swallowing pills as well.
However, at around four years old when the child is ready to learn new things, you can try teaching this new skill to your children!
Make sure your child isn't fussy or sick when you start teaching them. You can use your child's favorite foods to teach them how to swallow pills.
How can parents teach children to swallow pills?
Teaching your child how to swallow pills is a bit like tooth training. The potty Just because just like potty training, you can tell your child what to do but eventually they will have to do it on their own. Allow your child to exercise control over the process because forcible or forceful pressure may prove to be futile.
Here are some tips on the correct ways to teach children to swallow pills:
- Help your child moisten his mouth by swallowing a few sips of water or other liquid before giving him
- You can place the pill on the front of the tongue and tilt your child's head back before swallowing. Alternatively, you can place the pill on the back of the tongue and have your child tuck their chin into their chest before swallowing.
- Giving some liquid into the mouth and gargling with it for a few seconds before swallowing may be helpful in swallowing the tablet.
- Another trick that works wonders is by placing the pill on your child's tongue before he swallows a large bite of food, such as bread, crackers, etc.
- One of the best ways to get your child to swallow is with the "big sip" method, which involves placing the pill on their tongue while they take a large sip of liquid. Ask them to swirl the liquid around in their mouth for a few seconds before finally swallowing it all together.
- You can also hide pills in any type of soft food, such as fruit puree, sauces, or yogurt. However, crushing pills is not recommended unless your doctor recommends it. You should only try this trick if the pills are small, or you could end up choking.
- A “pill cup,” which has a small sleeve that holds the pill while your child swallows it with liquid, or a “pill glide,” a flavored spray that may help your child swallow pills, also works well. Sometimes children make an effort but still won’t succeed in swallowing the pill. You should ask your child to keep their tongue relaxed while they try to swallow the pill. If that doesn’t work, the tips above should help!
What if your child has trouble taking pills?
Here are some tips that may help your child if he is having trouble taking pills:
- Be fun about the whole process and don't pressure your child.
- If your child continues to struggle, be sympathetic and smile.
- Ask him to relax and let him know that he is not required to try it unless he is ready to do so.
- Practicing your child's favorite foods can be both beneficial and a fun experience. Try using small treats using the "big mouthful" method.
- Help your child practice sipping and swallowing their favorite drinks with large gulps, holding their head back and chin up.
- If your child isn't comfortable, don't force them. Your child may show readiness or be comfortable with the whole process when the time comes, but until then, you need to be patient.
- He should be rewarded whenever he makes an effort, even if he fails. This will encourage him to try harder the next time.
- Try different positions such as head tilted back, head tilted to the side, or head tilted towards the chest.
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When to call a doctor when teaching children to swallow pills
Patience and practice may help you navigate the process of teaching your child to swallow a capsule, tablet, or pill; however, there may be times when you may need to seek medical intervention or need to contact your doctor.
Here are some situations when a doctor's help may be helpful:
- If your child has had previous bad experiences with swallowing pills, which may result in vomiting or gagging.
- If your child feels nervous or anxious when it comes to trying new things.
- If your child has any type of developmental delay, which may include motor (oral) problems or behavioral problems.
- If your child falls into any of the above categories or experiences any type of problem, you should consult a pediatrician about it. The doctor may suggest alternative methods of administering the medication to your child.
When teaching your child how to swallow pills, make sure it's a stress-free experience. If your child doesn't seem ready, don't force them. Try again when you think they're ready, and they'll swallow the pills without fuss.
Article source: How to Teach Kids to Swallow Pills – Important Tips
