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The art of giving medicine to kids

Mich dela Cruz's picture
Submitted by Mich dela Cruz on Thu, 08/27/2009 - 18:22
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One of the most frequent complaints of mothers is the difficulty of giving medicine to their children. Most have experimented on different flavors of over-the-counter vitamins and supplements but each experience only turns out frustrating.

Here are a few ways to help moms make their kids take their medicine.

  1. Store medicine in the refrigerator to keep them cold. This lessens the bitter taste of most syrup preparations.
  2. Give a glass of cold drink before and after giving the medicine.
  3. Try using different medicine dispensers like dropper, cup or syringe until you find out what your child is most comfortable with.
  4. Keep your child in a relaxed and seated position.
  5. Give your children simple rewards every time they take their medicine.
  6. Don't force them especially when they are not yet in the mood. If you do, chances are they will fear or hate each time they have to take medicine.

Comments

dek's picture
Submitted by dek on Sun, 08/30/2009 - 20:19.

thanks to u doc mich for helping me take care of gavin, especially for your untiring effort to answer my questions =)

btw, nice and informative site!

-haydee-

doc mich,
you are the best doctor ever! =)

love, gavin

see you!!

proud mom of gavin

dadumu's picture
Submitted by dadumu on Wed, 09/02/2009 - 17:48.

Hi doc. Do you recommend gummy bear chewable vitamins? Meron kasi akong 6yr old nephew na na-overdose nun kasi he thought they were plain gummy bears.

Thanks.

Mich dela Cruz's picture
Submitted by Mich dela Cruz on Sun, 09/06/2009 - 13:20.

It's alright to give chewable vitamins to older children but always with parents supervision.

dadumu's picture
Submitted by dadumu on Wed, 09/09/2009 - 12:43.

Ok doc. Thanks!

Submitted by auntie anne (not verified) on Wed, 09/09/2009 - 19:22.

hi dra dela cruz! in the home setting, what should we do immediately after a trauma like fall from a bed? because one time, my niece fell from her high chair and when we brought her to the emergency room we were just advised and sent home. thanks!

Mich dela Cruz's picture
Submitted by Mich dela Cruz on Fri, 09/11/2009 - 00:10.

At home, you can apply cold compress on the areas hurt after any injury. We are more watchful if it's the head that is involved. You should observe the child for episode of vomiting, seizure or any change in the sensorium. It's best to see a doctor so that immediate assessment can be done. Bringing your niece to the ER was a very wise decision.

Submitted by steph (not verified) on Wed, 09/09/2009 - 21:56.

hi, mich.
my 16 month old baby is quite easy to give medicine to because she thinks its just vitamins. i give her vitamins daily and let her play with the dropper afterwards. so she does the same thing with other meds.

Mich dela Cruz's picture
Submitted by Mich dela Cruz on Fri, 09/11/2009 - 00:20.

Hi! That's a very good technique! Kids are curious with everything! And they want to be involved in all ways....so you have to let them take charge in their own little ways!

exclusively kids's picture
Submitted by exclusively kids on Wed, 10/07/2009 - 21:43.

this is about dr. mich dela cruz. . . .

i dont know if its fitting and proper to post this here but i just want to share with fellow moms what i posted at femalenetwork.com under GIRL TALK > Smart Parenting and Home Life > Childcare and Childbirth > Merged: Directory of Pediatricians.

Reply #551 on: March 19, 2009, 12:11:43 AM »

Quote Quote from: DV on February 20, 2009, 11:16:32 PM

Being a first time mom, nung umpisa, kung anong sabihin ng pedia, yun ang sinusunod ko. She was recommended by my ob-gyne in St Luke's so I never got a chance to look around or ask for references. Dati mabait sya and warm kaya lang I noticed na simula nung magtanong ako about things I read here on GT and on the net parang feeling ko tuwing bibisita kami she gets uncomfortable. Medyo marami kasi akong tanong sa kanya and I do a lot of research at minsan nagdi-disagree kami on things like milk intake, rashes, solid food and medicines.

Medyo hindi na ko kampante sa kanya, feeling ko hindi thorough yung check-ups at parang nagmamadali. I kind of liked the substitute pedia nya minsan. Thinking of leaving our current and consulting with the other one na for good. Any feedback on Dr Reynoso?

Can you please recommend a really good pedia at St Luke's CHBC? Female doctor sana. With lots of experience pero someone who keeps herself current. TIA!

try mo momsie pedia ng kids ko. . .

Dr. Michelle Vergara dela Cruz
St. Lukes Medical Center
CHBC S-702
Telephone Nos. : 7230101 * 7230301 local 2702

We consider ourselves very lucky to have her as our kids' pedia. Napakagaling mag diagnose and mag prescribe ng medications. She is the reason why our youngest daughter (Lysandra) is alive today. She can be reached 24/7 (hindi nagpapatay ng cellphone) and we can even ask her questions about our kids even if we are in the province and also gives advise over the phone or through text (nakakatipid kami sa consultation fee tee hee!). Napakabait, if I may say, and is really an asset to the medical profession. One thing more po momsie. . . very reasonable ang consultation fee nya.

allow me po to share a recent experience i had ragarding dra. dela cruz. . .

bago mag new year (december, 2008), my second daughter po ay grabe ang paghingal at parang hirap sya makahinga so what i did was nebulize ko po sya (this was in the middle of the night 2 days before the new year). medyo nag ok naman sya but early the next morning ay ganun na naman sya so i called dra. dela cruz about my daughters actuality and she told me to nebulize my daughter with ventolin and to see her at her clinic january 3, 2009. so we went to her clinic on the appointed day and she prescribed medications for my baby and told me to give her feedbacks after 3 days. three days passed and hindi ako nakapag report kay doktora kasi umayos naman baby ko (ganyan naman tayong mga nanay eh pag wala na problema dami na nakakalimutan eh). on the fourth day, sya mismo ang tumawag to check on my baby (ilang pedia ang nakagagawa nyan?)

it is also worthy to take note that when i called dra. dela cruz about my daughter a few days before the new year ay she is on vacation pala in subic according to her secretary and it just goes to show that she really cares sa kanyang mga patients (again. . .who could beat that?)

eto po pala link sa pics of dr. mich dela cruz that i've posted sa net po (click lang to view.

http://exclusivelykids.multiply.com/photos/album/43/MY_KIDS_PEDIATRICIAN

sherilyn lamzon - mom to cassey, alex and lysa

emmacks's picture
Submitted by emmacks on Thu, 10/08/2009 - 15:34.

Hello Doc,

I would like to ask what is an over the counter ointment or cream for insect bites? Madami kasi na reseta sa amin na mga ointments hindi ko na madistinguish yung non-steroidal sa hindi.

Madalas kasi pag nakagat ng lamok baby ko, kinakamot nya hangang mag sugat. Nangingitim sya and it takes forever bago mawala yung marks.

Please help!

-Emma