Tips and Tricks for Swallowing Pills and Liquid Medications

First published January 2022
Updated March 2026

We know that taking medication can sometimes be a challenge. Our child life specialists have some strategies that have been very helpful to our patient families.

It is best to set your child up for success from the beginning, no matter the type of medication they have to take. First, set the environment. Remove all distractions and give a time limit: “You have two minutes to take your medicine.”

Make sure to offer choice and control. Remind your child that although taking the medicine is not a choice, there are other choices to be made. “Do you want Mom to give you your medicine or do you want to do it yourself? Do you want to take your medicine in the kitchen or the living room? What would you like to drink with your medicine?”

Language is also very important to consider when your child is taking medicine. Explain to your child in an encouraging way that the reason they need the medicine is so their body will feel better (or stay healthy). If your child does well with rewards, offer a sticker chart to earn a small reward after completing the medication.

Pills

This method works best with school-aged children, but can be attempted as early as three years old:

• Sit up straight with shoulders back and feet on the floor (if tall enough).
• Keep the head up and chin level to the ground.
• Place the pill on the center of the tongue.
• Take a drink and continue to swallow until pill is gone.
• Tip head back or forward while swallowing.
• If your child is having trouble swallowing the pill with a drink, try putting the pill in a bite of food like yogurt, applesauce, or a mashed banana.
• Crush up the pill (if the physician or pharmacist says it’s okay to do so) and take with strongly flavored food such as pudding, chocolate syrup, a melted popsicle, etc.
• Practice with candies such as sprinkles or small candies to promote mastery.

Liquid Medication

• Mix or quickly follow medication with strong flavored food or beverage if possible (ensure child will take all of it; you can use chocolate syrup or flavored coffee creamer to mask the taste).
• Model for your child and take “medicine” together with a syringe and liquid (water, etc.).
• Have child plug their nose.
• Utilize counting (1, 2, 3…take medicine).
• Tell your child if a food or drink has medicine mixed in; do not try to hide it. It is difficult to fully mask the flavor of medicine, and children may grow to distrust food if they believe there is medicine secretly mixed in.

If you notice your child struggling and becoming frustrated, it is okay to take a short break and try again. Be patient, remain positive, and celebrate the success!