How to Keep a Child From Spitting Out Medicine

You may understand the importance of your child̵7;s medication, but she may only understand that she doesn̵7;t like the flavor or texture. To ensure that she takes the medicine and keeps it down, you can administer it in a way that reduces the risk of her spitting it out. Adopting a method that works for you and your child will help her get the medicine she needs.

Things You'll Need

  • Medicine
  • Dropper or syringe, if needed
  • Food, if advised by doctor

Instructions

    • 1

      Position your child in a sitting or semi-sitting position. If you try to administer medicine while she is lying flat, she may choke and spit the medicine out. For a baby or young child, hold her in your lap, gently raise her head and rest her head against you as you give her the medicine.

    • 2

      Squeeze the medicine dropper or push the plunger on the medicine syringe so the liquid releases into the inside of her cheek, toward the back of the mouth. If you gently squeeze her cheeks until she swallows, she will be less likely to spit the medicine out.

    • 3

      Add the medicine to food if she won̵7;t take it by itself. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if your child̵7;s medicine can be crushed, if in tablet form, or the liquid can be added in this manner. Certain foods, such as applesauce, pudding, jello or flavored yogurt, can mask the medicine taste and help your child swallow it willingly. The Children̵7;s Hospital of Wisconsin advises you not to mix medicine with milk, orange juice or cereal. Don̵7;t mix it with an entire plate of food or bottle of formula, as your child may not finish all of it.

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