These game-changing patches will change the way your kids take supplements

From Sleep patches to Focus and Immunity, you'll no longer have to wrangle with your kids to get them to take capsules or pills thanks to this simple and cost-effective invention. 

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We all know the all-too-familiar struggle of getting kids to swallow tablets. 

Children have very strong gag reflexes and anything that is larger, harder or an unusual texture is quickly spat out. Some kids also struggle with sensory issues related to food texture, making anything capsule or pill-related impossible to swallow. Plus, kids just have smaller mouths. 

So, we try various techniques to get them to take them, such as the old crushed-up-pill-in-Nutella trick or hidden-in-pasta move, which prove difficult in their own right. 

How then, do we ensure regular, effective supplement intake for our kids?

Enter: The Patch Remedy.

The Sydney-based brand, founded by sisters Victoria Rahbone and Deborah O’Sullivan, offers a convenient alternative to traditional supplements.

They’re quick, hassle-free adhesive patches that deliver nutrients directly through the skin, making them great for the whole family, including fussy kids and parents on the go.

So, whether you're looking to improve sleep, reduce stress, enhance energy, or ease muscle aches, there's likely a patch for you. 

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Image: Supplied

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What sort of patches are available?

The Patch Remedy currently offers 11 patches that address various wellness needs, including Sleep, Sleep with Lavender, Magnesium, Menopause, Relax, Energy, Metabolism, Daily Detox, Hangover, Focus and Immunity, with the brand planning to launch four to six more patches this year. 

Two of the most popular ones are the Sleep and Magnesium patches. 

The Sleep patches, which contain valerian, passionflower and hops, will help you fall asleep and stay asleep and won’t leave you feeling groggy the next morning, like sleeping tablets might. The Magnesium patches will help ease sore muscles, aches and pains and contain 100% calming magnesium glycinate. 

Customers are also loving the Menopause patches for addressing issues such as hot flushes, brain fog and mood swings.

What was the idea behind it?

“We developed our patches to find an easier and more effective way to take supplements as we found it difficult to get our own kids to take supplements daily,” founders Victoria and Deborah tell Kidspot. “This lead to the topical patch technology, allowing nutrients to be delivered directly to your skin. Many of our patches are fantastic for children and teenagers, such as Sleep, Magnesium, Immunity and Focus.”

They added: “We recommend not using patches on children under two years old and always seek advice from your health practitioner if you’re in any doubt if the ingredients or patches are right for your child.”

Image: Supplied

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How do they work?

You might be wondering how the nutrients are actually absorbed into your system, but rest assured, the mechanism has extensive scientific support. 

The founders explain, “The patches provide nutrients that are absorbed topically to avoid the first-pass effect of the metabolism by maximising the bioavailability over an extended period.” 

“Our patches are loaded with a powerhouse combo of vitamins, minerals, herbs, and antioxidants. These goodies are snugly nestled within a special matrix layer, cleverly embedded in the adhesive. Once you apply the patch, your body's natural warmth kicks things into high gear, activating the ingredients and allowing them to be absorbed.”

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What are the benefits of patches over pills?

In addition to being kid-friendly, the patches offer many other benefits, including maximum bioavailability, 12 to 24-hour effectiveness, and the absence of nausea that often comes with swallowing pills or capsules. 

They’re also waterproof, cost-effective and contain no nastles. Plus, they’re light and easy to pack, so you won’t have to worry about lugging your jar of supplements around with you, which is great for travel. 

How much do they cost?

As the patches are effective and easier to use than oral supplements, there is no waste – so it becomes the inexpensive, smarter solution. 

Each packet contains 30 patches and retails for $35, or you can bundle them for even better value. 

Some handy bundles include the ‘Peri-Meno’, which contains the Menopause, Sleep and Focus patches or the ‘Teen’, which contains Immunity, Magnesium and Focus patches. 

How do you use them?

Just peel them from the backing sheet and place them on a hairless area of the skin, such as the upper arm, lower back, abdomen or inner wrist and you're done!

Testimonials and success stories

Since launching in 2021, the company has sold over 70,000 units and now has one product selling every five minutes across its range of patches. 

Users rave about the patches' transformative effects, with one person saying, "This is the best natural sleep remedy, and I've tried everything. I couldn't be without them now.”

Another shared, "Absolutely phenomenal product! I've struggled with sleep for years... These patches are an absolute game-changer!" 

“I work with children and get sick all the time. I haven’t got sick once since I started using the Immunity patches,” a third customer wrote. 

“We use the Daily Detox patches to help with my son’s skin - really helps clear up his acne,” shared a mum. 

Then finally, another parent added, “The Focus patches are easy to use and I definitely see a difference in my teenage son’s concentration levels when studying.”

"I drifted off to sleep"

My partner, who is a self-described "bad sleeper," was eager to try the Sleep patches for himself.

He says he takes about an hour to fall asleep most nights and often wakes up two to three times each night. 

He's tried every single sleep remedy—magnesium tablets, melatonin, sleepy tea, white noise machines, the fanciest eye masks on the market, a humidifier, and an Oura ring. He's even about to get surgery on his deviated septum to help him breathe easier at night.

Safe to say, he was the perfect test candidate: A bad sleeper and a little sceptical.

It turns out - he was pleasantly surprised! After applying two patches to his arm about 20 minutes before sleeping, he found he was getting sleepy even before getting into bed.

He said that getting to sleep was much easier, but he still woke up several times at night. However, he did note that falling back asleep afterwards was much easier. 

Originally published as These game-changing patches will change the way your kids take supplements