is there a way it's possible to teach a child to swallow a tablet?

[Moln]

or is it jsut a case that if they can't they can't?

Don't remember when I might have first swallowed a tablet so can recall how it was introduced

I was just delighted when my 17 ds finally managed it. Took a fair few gulps though!

A pharmacist told me to have a drink first so my mouth wasn't dry. Makes it much easier and I used to never be able to swallow a tablet. Or hold water in your mouth then slip the tablet in then swallow. An unsympathetic GP asked me if I could swallow food when I said I couldn't take tablets. It is mind over matter and you can learn to do it.

Spectacularly unhelpful GP you've got fab.
My DD learned when she was around 6. She was going to start fishy oil and wa very excited.
She has a big mouthful of water, swallows it then takes the tablet with more.
It does make giving her paracetamol easier and cheaper. Half a 500g one an bob's your uncle.

ripsishere I have always been told never to cut a tablet in two and expecting that half the tablet equals half the dose. The reason is that the tablet includes a mix of actual active ingredients and bulking substance. They will be almost certainly imperfectly mixed. So there is a real risk that most of the active ingredient is in the one half and most of the bulk in the other half. This means that if you are unlucky and you give the wrong half you may be overdosing, which is especially dangerous with paracetamol. Not to scare you, just to warn.

Just thought I would mention, I took some pills this morning with that new Activia Pouring yoghurt - was brilliant
I'm a bit of a wally myself when taking tablets, but I couldnt even feel that it was there with the pouring yoghurt.

even the tablets that have the doseage for 6-12 year olds as 0.5 - 1 tablet dikkertjedap?

I gave dd swine flu tablets when she was three. I just gave them to her with a drink out of a bottle and she took them without any fuss. I think the bottle helped as it involved head back, continuous swallowing and worked a treat.

I would double check with a proper pharmacist (not just the person behind the counter), they will be able to tell you as they can look up the exact composition of the tablet. It is my understanding that once the active ingredient has to be mixed up with a bulking substance there is simply no way of guaranteeing that the two halves contain the same amount of active ingredient. Clearly, if the tablet consists of virtually only active ingredient, this is not an issue.

thanks - a fact worth knowing

you know the bottle idea is good one dyzzidi

This is one of the many articles which warns about the dangers of pill splitting

I'm in my thirties and I can't swallow tablets. I grind 'em up!

American advice on pill splitting

My son has been able to swallow tablets from a very very young age but I still struggle taking them now.

Putting it in yogurt really helps imho. It's much easier to take stirred into yogurt than just with water.

DD2 is 4 and has to take loads of tablets everyday we started with apple purree to help them down now she doesn't bother with that and can take 2 or 3 at a time.

My son learned at age 11 by practising with raisins.

He did it this morning with after just a few attempts using a bottle of water!!

I'm hoping that next time (this chest infection is now easing off so fingers crossed no more pain) he'll be able to because he know he can