Column: Win the Medicine Battle with Your Kids

Do not look them in the eyes, and never let them see you sweat. Perched upon a chair, appearing so innocent and sweet, is your child, awaiting her first dose of antibiotic. Your next few steps are critical. Ed Asner once said, "Raising kids is part joy and part guerrilla warfare." This is especially true when we are trying to get our children to swallow a spoonful of medicine that just happens to taste like sour grapes. If you are one of those unlucky parents that has to prepare for battle each time you reach for a medicine spoon, I have created the easy-to-remember acronym, "MED TIPS," to hopefully make your life a little easier, especially during cold and flu season.

Music magic: Watch their faces light up when you start twirling around the kitchen and flailing your arms about as if you are auditioning for the next reality dance contest. Children love to see their parents act silly, so go ahead- do the Funky Chicken, or the Electric Slide- I dare you. The key here is distraction and entertainment.

Encourage participation: Who doesn't like to be in control of what goes into their own mouth? Toddlers are especially notorious for their strong sense of "I'll do it myself" syndrome; so let them help, with your guidance of course.

Delivery device: One of the most awesome inventions is the pacifier medicine dispenser. It worked like a charm with my second child. I recommend rotating various devices, such as dose cups or syringes, until you find the one they like best.

Trickery: The art of disguise is also very useful. Chocolate milk, yogurt, and ice cream are quite good at covering up the taste of "yucky" meds. However, some medications are not to be mixed with dairy products, so always ask your pharmacist before you start employing this tactic. Other tricks include the use of reverse psychology. When I say to my three-year-old "Don't you eat that broccoli," she eats it up in an instant. So try, "Don't you take that medicine." I know it sounds weird but it works!

Imitations: My infant likes jungle noises and my preschooler likes magic tricks. The monkey sounds make my infants mouth open wide with laughter and then I can squirt her medicine on in. When I am the magician, my daughter and I make the medicine magically disappear.

Pace yourself: Some children like to get it all over with in one bug gulp. Others prefer baby amounts in a slow and time-consuming process. It's best to let your child set the pace.

Sweeten it up: Many pharmacies are able to sweeten up liquid medications using the FLAVORx™ system. If you choose at-home solutions, you can always go for the tried and trusted spoonful of sugar. Whether you mix it directly into the medicine or coat the spoon with it, it is a good one to try. An alternative to plain sugar is a chocolate or caramel syrup-coated spoon. Go ahead- try it yourself!

Hopefully, after employing one, or many of the above "MED TIPS," you will have accomplished a very significant feat: proper medication delivery. If you are one of those lucky parents whose children will take anything, congratulations-just make sure you keep all medicine out of their reach. For the rest of us, just do your best, and take pride in knowing that although you may have spent the last hour doing the Macarena, singing show tunes, and making monkey sounds, you are doing what's best for your child, even if they put up a fight...

P.S.S. (Parent Sanity Saver): Do not attempt the above tactics while wearing your favorite shirt. It is likely to be ruined.

The FLAVORx™ System

-What is FLAVORx™? A liquid medication flavoring system with 42 tempting flavors ranging from chocolate covered cherry to bubblegum.

-What pharmacies carry the FLAVORx™ system? Most large chain and independent pharmacies. A complete list can be found by visiting their website at www.flavorx.com.

-How much is the charge for adding flavors to a prescription? The average cost is $3.00 per prescription.

The author is a Doctor of Pharmacy, mother of two amazing little girls, and a chocoholic. She is currently working on a book about colic and is a part-time pharmacist in a busy outpatient pharmacy. E-mail questions/comments to drk@themedicinemom.com or visit her website at www.themedicinemom.com.