You asked

How can I get my toddler to take medicine that he just does not want to?

It’s almost impossible to get a toddler to take medicine that he’s decided he doesn’t want to! However, if you want your child to get better, then you need to find a way. Speak to your doctor about any specific restrictions (like medicines that can’t be taken with food) and if you get the all clear, try one of these ideas:

Find out from your pharmacist about flavourings. There are certain flavourings that can be added after the medicine has been manufactured, and it can make them more palatable.

Try mixing thicker medications into smoothies, yogurt or milkshakes.
Try giving your child pills with milk instead of water – the thickness of milk sometimes makes it easier to swallow tablets.

Play a game. Whether it’s naming the colour of the medicine, or anything else silly you can come up with, if it works, do it!

Offer your child an ice lolly, and let him suck in between sips of medicine (this works particularly well if the medicine tastes bad!)

If nothing else works, look for alternate forms – suppositories or strips that dissolve on the tongue may succeed where syrups or tablets fail!

If you find that it’s impossible to get your child to take prescription medication, you must speak to your doctor. It can be very harmful not to complete courses of medication, and if it’s been prescribed, then your child definitely needs it!

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