Don’t be fooled by this lovely warmer weather we’ve been having…cold/flu season is still in full force!  Actually, it’s funny I should be writing this post, as half our family is currently under the weather.  I totally jinxed it by bragging about how healthy we’ve all been this winter, and then BOOM…I’m eating my overly-confident words.  My four kids range from ages 3.5 to 9, so you could say we’ve run the gamut of colds, flu, croup, viruses, RSV, pink eye…you name it, we’ve been there (in terms of not serious sicknesses, that is).  And while I am definitely no expert, nor do I hold a Ph.D, I can speak quite a bit to what has worked for my family when the sickies visit our household.  I’ve listed 20 must-haves to help your kids get healthy and as comfortable as possible during illness…as well as a few must-haves for mom too!

*For soon-to-be moms, this is a great list of items to have on-hand prior to baby’s arrival!*

Austin Moms Blog | 20 Must Haves During Cold & Flu Season

  1. Eucalyptus Oil:  A natural decongestant…diffuse it or rub on feet.
  2. Cool-Misty Humidifier:  Wet or humid air helps thin out mucus, allowing for an easier time coughing or blowing it out.
  3. Saline Spray:  There are many “nasal sprays” on the market for little noses, however, what doctors always recommend is a simple saline solution to spray when snotty and congested.  Babies HATE this.
  4. Nose Frida:  Okay, I have only recently heard of this from one of my friends with a baby, but as an alternative to a bulb syringe, the Nose Frida allows the parent to suck mucus out of baby’s nose.  Don’t worry…there’s a filter!  It makes it much easier to see just exactly what is coming out and how much.
  5. Aquaphor:  One of my all-time favorites!  Aquaphor can be used like Vaseline, but even better.  On sore bums, raw lips, sore noses, etc.  It’s amazing!!!!
  6. Boogie Wipes:  A gentle alternative to dry tissue, also infused with saline to help minimize mucus.
  7. Digital Thermometer:  There is nothing worse than having to guess whether your child/baby has a fever.  It seems as if the thermometer is nowhere to be found when needed, and often the one we find has been in some one’s rear…..so yeah, a forehead or ear digital thermometer is a definite must-have!
  8. Menthol Vapor Rub:  I used to hate this stuff as a kid, but as a parent I see how wonderful it is!  Rub on feet, chest, or nostrils at bedtime to help a suppress a cough.  In our house, it’s dubbed “Darth Vader Rub” by my baby boy.
  9. Tylenol & Ibuprofen:  These are my two favorite fever reducers.  If one of my kids has a stubborn fever, we often alternate between the two…doing so, you can give a bit more frequently…but check with your doctor first.
  10. Emergen-C:  For everyone else in the house that isn’t sick, load them up on Vitamin C.  My husband and I take Emergen-C, but we give the kids vitamin C tablets to keep immunity strong.
  11. Broth Soup:  My favorite is homemade chicken noodle, but bone broth is also great, as well as any brothy soup.  The heat from the soup helps break up congestions, while the broth is great for getting fluids in your sick patient.  Also, I think soup is comforting when one is sick, don’t you?
  12. Lotion-infused tissue:  If you use the above Boogie Wipes, you’ll want to intermix some regular tissues to help keep little noses dry and unchaffed.  Look for the kind with lotion in them!
  13. Hand sanitizer/Clorox wipes:  Another weapon in your attempts to keep everyone else healthy is cleanliness.  Sanitize hands, cups, doorknobs, etc….germs are everywhere!
  14. Pedialyte/Gatorade:  Another hydration tactic is flavored liquids…not juice.  My kids see these as a “treat”, so they’re usually pretty eager to gulp them down even if they’re feeling nasty.
  15. Pediatrician’s number:  Always have your pediatrician’s number on hand…I even recommend to memorize it, as you never know when a sick child could get worse in a matter of minutes.  Also, it’s not a bad idea to have Dell Children’s ER number somewhere accessible in case of emergency.
  16. Nebulizer (if applicable):  My kids are known as the “croupy kids”.  That’s our #1 sickness….and let me tell you, there have been some scary times that I didn’t know if my child would get another breath.  After a couple of scares, we invested in a nebulizer and keep (prescribed) viles in bulk, just in case.  Breathing treatments may be prescribed for asthma, croup, flu, and a number of respiratory illnesses, so I am always thankful we have our own at home.
  17. Raw honey:  Honey is the best natural cough soother.  I usually combine it with a bit of lemon juice and warm water to have my littles sip on when the coughs just won’t stop.  I’ve seen honey pops too that you can make on your own by boiling honey and pouring it in molds like this DIY found HERE.
  18. Kids activities:  When your kids are sick and you’re cooped up in the house, everyone tends to get a little cranky.  Have some novel toys and activities stashed away that you can pull out when you’re kids are stuck on the couch all day.
  19. Be Koool Soft Gel sheets:  These “KOOOL” forehead sheets stick on to help a feverish child…made with water and polymers, they give a cooling, tingling sensation.
  20. Patience, love, and understanding.  Being a mom of sick kids is really the pits, isn’t it?  Our sick kids often act different than normal and being a nurse can really wear down our reserves, so it’s always good to remember to ask for help, pray for love and patience, and keep yourself healthy!!!!

Moms >>> What are your must-haves to keep in stock to help kick those sickies?

 

 

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