Many children and toddlers refuse to take medicine. However, there are ways that you can make the process easier. These steps can include relaxing your child, mixing their medication with a favorite food or drink, and involving your child in the process. Remember to check with your physician and pharmacist before mixing your child's medication with any food or drink. This task should take no longer than 30 minutes from start to finish. This task varies greatly in difficulty, depending on your child's level of determination.

Physicians recommend that you be firm with your child and stick to a firm schedule when dispensing medication. You should always also supervise your child when they are taking medication, and your child should never be alone around any medication regardless of whether it is prescription or over-the-counter strength. You should also be clear with your child that they should never try to take medication alone. Store medications in a high, locked compartment that your child cannot gain access to. You should also familiarize yourself with the symptoms of an allergic reaction or an overdose to the medication that your child is receiving. If all safety precautions are in place, the following are steps that you can follow to successfully have your child take their medication.

Please consult your child's pediatrician for all questions about medications, dosing, or concerns about dispensing medication to a child. Do not alter the way you give medication to children or adults without getting a doctor's approval first. Always keep all medications out of reach of children.

If you've been trying to get your child to take bitter tasting medicine for an extended period of time, they are probably as frustrated and tired as you are. Take a few minutes to quiet them and distance them from the negative experience. The following is a list of ways to relax your child before re-trying your attempt at medicating them:

• Manage your Own Anxiety:

Take a few minutes for yourself. Your child may be sensing your anxiety about ensuring they get their medication on schedule. Fix yourself a snack, talk to a friend on the phone, or lie down for a few minutes. Remember, your child will eventually take their medication successfully.

• Promote Quiet Play:

Give your child a coloring page, allow them to watch a favorite video, or play a quiet game.http://www.ehow.com/how_4600869_calm-down-child-bedtime.html

• Take a Walk:

Take your child on a walk around the neighborhood. Allow them to expend some energy. By the time they get back to the house they most likely will not remember the previous bad experience with their medication.http://www.mental-health-matters.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=235

• Help your Child Take a Bubble Bath:

You may need to do this anyway if you're child is covered in sticky medication from your last attempt. Regardless, a bath will help take their mind off of the medication.

Before you mix a medicine with any food or liquid, check with your child's physician to make sure that the substance will not be compromised by mixing.

They may also have suggestions specific to the medicine that the child is on. The following are general suggestions of ways to disguise your child's medicine in food.

• Allow your child to take sips of juice or spoonfuls of yogurt in-between each squirt of a liquid medication.http://parenting.ivillage.com/baby/bhealth/0,,8995,00.html
• Mix the medication directly into juice, applesauce, jam, or ice cream. http://parenting.ivillage.com/baby/bhealth/0,,8995,00.html
• Ask your pharmacy if they have flavored syrups that they can safely mix your child's medication in.

You should also ask your child if there is any reason why they don't want to take their medicine. Sometimes, they just don't like the bitter taste. However, a child may not want to take their medicine because their throat is sore. Your pharmacist may be able to offer you some different options for making your child more comfortable with their medicine through switching the form of medicine to a pill, chewable tablet, adding appetizing flavoring to certain medicines, or switching to a liquid, depending on your child's preference. http://childcare.about.com/cs/caregonewrong/f/illchild.htm

Your child may feel more comfortable taking medicine if they are involved in the process. The following are ways that you can give your child some control while they are taking medication:

• Allow them to get the medicine out of the refrigerator. Make sure that you monitor them closely while they do this.

• Let them pick a drink that they would like to enjoy while they take their medicine. Give them only a few choices. You can also let them choose a special cup to drink from.

• Allow them to "give" the medicine to themselves after you have pre-measured the amount. This should also be done under close supervision.

• If the pharmacist can mix your child's medication into a flavored syrup, let your child pick the flavor.

• Allow your child a special treat after they have finished their medicine. A Popsicle may soothe a sore throat. Check with the pharmacist to see if this is advised.

• Designate a child's teddy bear as "sick" and allow the child to play with an eyedropper to "give it medicine". http://childcare.about.com/cs/caregonewrong/f/illchild.htm