Learning this important life skill can be difficult, but we’ve got two tips that can help.
Swallowing pills is a simple skill most of us adults take for granted, but it can be tricky to master for a kid. The following two tips work for most kids (or adults!). But before you even have your child try, make sure there’s no pressure or negativity associated with the attempt. That will almost always make it harder. It’s best to start teaching when there’s no medicine actually needed.
First tip. Start with something edible that’s tiny, but tastes good. An ice cream sprinkle could work, or you could go straight to a mini chocolate chip. Have the child place the treat in the middle of tongue – not all the way in back. (Putting it too far back might activate a gag reflex.) Then have the child take a sip of water and just swallow as if there’s nothing in the mouth. Once they’ve successfully swallowed the tiny treat, move on to a full sized chocolate chip (if it has a hard tip, shave it off to avoid scratches in the mouth). Use the same placement and swallowing technique. Once the child has mastered the chocolate chip, they can handle a small pill. Try a non-chewable vitamin for a few days straight and by the next time your child needs a medication, s/he will have the confidence to swallow the pill easily.
Second tip. If swallowing the pill with a sip of water doesn’t work, try using a water or soda bottle. Have the child place the top of the bottle in his mouth and close his mouth around it. He can then use a sucking motion to drink from the bottle without letting air into his mouth. This should take the pill down together with the drink.
Bonus tip from Renee that we haven’t tried but worked for her: Use fresh bubbly seltzer instead of water. The tingle masks the sensation of the pill and makes it easier to swallow.
And that’s it! Next time you run out of liquid ibuprofen, don’t rush to buy another bottle. Instead, use the opportunity to teach your child something “grown up”!
Check out the list of medications we recommend to keep on hand at all times, and see our tip to make sure you never miss a dose of medication again!
A woman I know suggested the candy OODLES… small and smooth.
I start with oodles then move on to tic tacs and finally skittles. After that they are ready for real pills.
My pediatrician taught me to chew a cracker or pretzel and before you swallow stick the pill on the tongue. It goes down easier with the food
The cracker/pretzel method sounds interesting I’d like to try it! Just make sure you drink after it goes down because pills can get stuck in the esophagus and cause short term/long term issues. My husband had bad chest pains after taking an Advil without liquid and I was ready to call Hatzolah but we realized what it was.
What age is a good age to start teaching kids?
wow! how did between carpools know just what I needed today? its like you read my mind. Thank You!
I was probably in high school before I learned how to swallow a pill… when they’re big I still prefer to take them with applesauce or a banana.
This tip works wonders for even the most steadfast “I-cant-swallow-pills” adults out there! Fill your mouth with a smooth liquid like water or a smoothie, (not juice that can create a dry sensation in the mouth once swallowed) then put the pill in the mouth on middle of tongue. Standing up, look down at the floor and WALLA! It should go down easily. This position makes the throat a bit larger, which is why it’s easier to swallow. Another tip for kids or teens would be to get a party of ppl to joke around and pressure them in a fun way to swallow swallow swallow!
I taught my kids to swallow pills another way. Even as young as a 5 year old. Put pill UNDER tongue- no taste buds there. No horrible taste coming in the way. Take a big sip of juice or heavier than water drink and swallow together. Good luck!
I’ll add 2 tips – 1) Use a mini chocolate lentil or M&M. Once that’s mastered, you can try a full sized chocolate lentil.
2) Before swallowing instead of looking up – look down! It helps the pill float to the top of the liquid (which is at the back of your throat).
My husband tried everything until recently he was prescribed a pill by a resident in his doctors office who told him to put the pill on his tongue and then drink with a straw!! I cannot believe it has worked! He ha spent the last 24 years stressing about if his doctor would prescribe a pill to him and he wouldn’t be able to take hit cuz he can’t swallow!! Baruch HaShem for this resident who taught him this trick!
yes! world class gagger here and the straw trick is the only thing that has ever worked for me!
Can u do one on how to put on contacts
I heard that it is easier to swallow with a thicker liquid so best is milk or chocolate milk. Or smoothie. Water is hardest
Watch this YouTube video (The New Method of swallowing) that my daughter’s OT at school recommended….. has many diff ideas to try and BH my son was successful with this ! Good luck moms out there ! You (and your child!) can do this!
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=MXFMZuNs-Fk
Wow thanks so much! Every post is so relevant I feel like
What age should a child start swallowing pills?
My child recently learned how, she’s 9. I want to teach my 8 year old too.
My kids started at 4-5. It’s so much easier than liquid
My kids started at around 5 years old. My 3 year old just finished with antibiotics for strep, and she told me that she wants pills next time. I guess I’ll start trying with her now, see if she’s ready.
I taught my kids to swallow pills another way. Even as young as a 5 year old. Put pill UNDER tongue- no taste buds there. No horrible taste coming in the way. Take a big sip of juice or heavier than water drink and swallow together. Good luck!
I’m embarrassed to say I didn’t swallow pills until after I gave birth. I figured if I can do that I can do other things I thought I was incapable of too! I always had a fear of choking, it was super this is how I taught myself.
Sorry that message went through by mistake without me finishing .. it was super difficult hearing how easy it was when it was such a big struggle for me. The way I taught myself was to cut the pills into half or fourths depending on the size and work myself up from there. I also filled my mouth and I mean filled lol with cold water so that when I swallowed I wouldn’t even feel that I have a pill
Many pills should not be split because there is a time release function that dissolves it in the correct part of the digestive tract. Consult your pharmacist first.
Best trick for us is to sip a little liquid first. Put in pill so it’s floating and you can’t feel it. Then swallow. Works every time!!
As a Nurse in the hospital, many older patients that have difficulty swallowing take their pills in applesauce. Applesauce is thick and helps the pill slide down easily. I myself use applesauce to when taking very large pills or horrible tasting medications. Best of luck!
Why teach children how to swallow pills if you can use applesauce or yogurt? I never used to take prenatals (even the smell made me nauseous!) until I learned the applesauce trick! You don’t feel or taste it at all! Now I do that with my kids with yogurt or applesauce or pudding… it all works!
Also note: some pills aren’t supposed to be cut (slow release etc)
we do mini m&ms
You can also buy empty capsules to get to practice on the actual size