ADMINISTERING MEDICATION
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ADMINISTERING MEDICATION
It often becomes necessary for a care provider to administer medication to a child in care. First be sure the medication is in the original container and is accompanied with a written permission form. (See the form section of this website for examples) Now for the hard part, actually getting the child to take the entire dose of medication required. I have a few suggestions for this it will depend on what works for you and the specific child. These are ideas if the child refuses to take the medication directly from a dispenser.
NEVER MEASURE THE MEDICATION IN A TEASPOON. Teaspoons vary in measurement.
1. Give the child a freezie first. This will numb the taste buds somewhat.
2. Add the medication to a small amount of liquid in a bottle. All liquid antibiotics for children can be mixed with juice, formula or milk. (I checked with the pharmacist.) What you use will depend on the flavor of the medication. Using more than an ounce or two though could be a problem, as the child may not finish all of the drink and that will change the dose. Also be careful giving the bottle to a toddler that may put the bottle down and make it available to another child in care. It is a good idea to hold the child for this bottle.
3. Take the cap and nipple from a bottle and put the measured dose of medication directly into the nipple, giving the child the medication this way. DO NOT use plastic wrap to enclose the nipple. This is very dangerous.
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