Adding sugar to your child's medicine so he will take it ... Check with the doc first!

Nadisha Hunter, Staff Reporter

Children can sometimes be stubborn and unruly, so convincing them to take their medicine can be a daunting task. But even though you may not get it done easily, with a little creativity it should work.

Dr Shane Alexis, former president of the Jamaica Medical Doctors Association, said it is imperative for parents to stick to the task to get the kids to take their medication.

"It is very important, the medication should only be stopped in discussion with a health-care provider or if there is an allergic reaction where the child is vomiting uncontrollably, or become short of breath or any other adverse reaction," he said

He gave some useful tips to follow when taking on the task:

• Mixing the medication in juice is a recommended way to change the taste.

• Explain to the child that he is sick and that the medication will make him better.

• Engage in positive reinforcement. So when the child takes the medication congratulate him maybe by saying, 'Good boy', telling him that you love him, or even seal the moment with a kiss.

• Remove the fear of going to the doctor by letting him know that the doctor is there to help him to feel better. That will help the child to develop a level of trust with the doctor.

• Share with the prescribing doctor the challenges that you may have to give the child the medication.

• Let the child participate in the process by helping you to get the medication at the pharmacy, taking out the tablet or the spoon for the medicine. But, at this point, the child must be properly supervised and the medication must kept out of the reach of the child.

• Add some fanfare to it. Get all excited about it, maybe doing a game or clap. Do some form of enjoyment.

Things not to do when trying to get your child to take medication:

• Do not frighten the child. Sometimes you have to make them do it, but do not be overly aggressive.

• Desist from using the statement, "If you don't take it, you will get an injection." It doesn't always help.

• One harmful thing is that some parents don't want to hurt the child so they don't give the child the medication. The child doesn't want to take the medication and parents tend to lose patience or get frustrated, but by not giving the child the medication they can have more complications.

• As for adding to the taste, for example, adding sugar or honey, this may be OK; it all depends on the child. If the child is diabetic then it wouldn't be good, also it could result in weight gain. Dr Alexis said parents should get guidance from the prescribing doctor for each medication if they intend to add sugar for taste.

• Do not get angry with the child, if you get frustrated take a couple minutes and try again, if that doesn't work contact a health-care provider for assistance.