HEALTHY FAMILY
health tool that
other healthy habits
says.

that is just
staying healthy as
that kids have to
something scary or
to do,” Johns says.

cream and
of Johns’ favorite
medicine. These
and can be
liquid medications,
are a bit tricky
down easier when
that are sweet and
This method of transitioning from liquid
to pill medication is really empowering for
kids, Johns says.

Although Johns says that most
medications are safe to take with foods,
she recommends that parents still talk to
their child’s pediatrician before mixing
any medications with food. Specific
vitamins and other specialized categories
of medicines may not be 100 % safe to
consume with food. Iron, for example,
cannot be mixed in with acidic foods such
as orange juice.

Experiment with alternatives
“There are some children who have such
a hard time taking oral medicine that they
actually end up getting an injectable or a
shot,” says Johns.

THE REASON WHY
ASKING THEM TO TAKE
CAN BE HELPFUL
THEIR TRUST AND
DR. CHRISTINA JOHNS
confidence, Johns
swallow their
of sprinkles—
put on top
cookies. Once
kids can move on to
small hard candies
they can try
nothing but a glass
with water,
kids to first place
their tongue. Then
of water and swallow
together at the
A surprising trick that Johns suggests
is the squeeze-and-blow method. This
unconventional method encourages kids
to swallow a tablet placed into their
mouth by lightly squeezing their cheeks
and blowing a slight breeze directly onto
their face.

However, Jones emphasizes that such
unconventional tricks and tips should not
be the first method used by parents and
that they should talk to their pediatrician
before trying them.

At the end of the day, Jones says that
there’s no magic bullet to helping kids
take their medicine. Like most things in
life, it just takes time and patience. n
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