Child learning to swallow pills?

[bmccasland]

I still remember learning to take pills. There was some Rx I was to take that didn't come in liquid form... I think my folks tried every method, but I must take my medicine!. The sugar coating came off while is was floating around in my mouth after failing to go down with the big glass of water. Was the most bitter pill ever!. So I would take the pill and shove it as far back as I could with my finger, almost to the point of gagging. Then swallow some water. For the longest time, I could take pills without water just by shoving them to the back of my tongue.

[indysteel]

I had a phobia about swallowing pills until I finally got over it in college. If I remember correctly, drinking water with a straw seemed to help me relax enough to swallow a pill.

[Blueberry]

I still have problems sometimes For example, I can't take a B-Vitamin pill. I can taste it through the gel cap, and I gag. But birth control pills don't require water now...

I remember when I was little, I wouldn't put the pill in my mouth unless I had a large glass of liquid ready and waiting. I'd then pop the pill in and drink all liquid. Somehow it "hid" the pill.

CA

[Flybye]

The best solution that I have ever hear of came from our family doctor - have your kiddo practice by swallowing Tic-Tacs. You could even reward one eaten for every one swallowed whole.

[Tuckervill]

My middle son couldn't swallow pills until he was over 20.

My youngest son (9 years his junior) saw that and determined to be able to swallow them without water when he was just FIVE. (I know, taking pills without water is wrong. Try telling that to the testosterone.)

It is psychological, mostly. The most important thing to tell her is that she *WILL* be able to, eventually, and even if she never does, what harm is it, really? There are workarounds for almost every medication.

Karen

[SouthernBelle]

Don't tilt your head back!!! Do you tilt your head back when you eat? Of course not. The anatomy of your mouth and throat is made to swallow when your head is in a normal position. So when you try to swallow with your head tilted back, you are making it harder, not easier.

[mimitabby]

my older son was 12 when he finally learned NOT to swallow gum moments after he put it in his mouth.
can't help ya!