Medicines or symptom treatments, such as organic gripe water, are often necessary to treat upset tummies or other common issues among newborns and young children. Unfortunately, children do not always take their medicine without issue despite the necessity. Many kids seem to change personalities, and others become fidgety.
As a parent, you know the importance of the medicine, vitamins, etc., but if you cannot get your child to settle, how do you get them to take it. Thankfully, many parents have gone through this, so you are not alone. When giving your child a pill, liquid, or chewable vitamin or medicine, there are several ways to improve the chances of it going down easily.
Table of Contents
1. Focus on the Delivery
How do you act when trying to give your child their liquid baby vitamins? Are you nonchalant, or do you get upset when the child resists? Instead of getting upset, try and make the experience fun and creative. You have likely seen parents pretending a spoon is a plane. You can try similar things. Think of something your child loves and try to connect or associate it with vitamins or medicine. Allowing yourself to have fun with the experience can also help the child embrace it.
2. Rewarding and Celebrating
Baby immune support supplements do not always taste the best, making it challenging to motivate children to take them. You can encourage your child by offering rewards or celebrating the activity. A reward does not have to be anything extravagant. You can offer them an age-appropriate treat. Many times, children only want to see their parents happy. Parental approval is a big deal at younger ages, so try showing excitement or happiness when your child takes their medicine or vitamins.
3. Be Positive
The worst thing you can do is show aggravation when a child resists medicine. Displaying frustration only makes the entire delivery tense. Your child will become more resistant the more uncomfortable they get. As the parent, you need to show positivity towards the activity. Let your child know there is nothing to worry about. If your child sees you at ease, they are more likely to give in and take medicine, but they may still show some resistance, especially if it is something new.
4. Explain the Importance
Children are not beyond reasoning. When you need to give them medicine, try to talk to them and explain why they need it. However, talk to your child in terms they understand. For example, explain that your child’s upset tummy can be fixed with the medicine. Depending on their age, you can discuss germs as invaders or bad guys and medicine as the hero. Essentially, find an analogy that works for your child. You can and should use this technique for explaining vitamins and other supplements.
Children have a reputation for being defiant of medicine and other supplements. Contact your pediatrician or a local family expert for advice if you need help getting your child to take their medicine or other routine supplements, such as vitamins.