Cold and Flu Season is in full swing… my kiddo has already had his fair share of sick days this year, and it’s just miserable. That said, I have a few tried-and-true cold and flu season tips that will help your child feel a little more comfortable during their illness.
1. Popsicles are a truly great way to help kids get better. Popsicles keep kids hydrated, soothe a fever, and just plain taste delicious. If you can’t get your child to drink some juice or water during their illness, try a popsicle, which will help them hydrate a bit while still tasting like a special treat.
2. Dry your blankets! A warm blanket fresh out of the dryer just feels like a warm hug. It’s so cozy and feels amazing, so pop the blanket in the dryer to feel better. And if that isn’t enough, warmth can help kids break a fever. How many times have you heard to put a child in a bath to help them shed their fever? Well, warm blankets can provide a similar experience, and help your child break their fever.
3. Cuddles are essential. I know we’ve all got a busy schedule and a long to-do list. My 5 must-do tasks today has 8 items on it. But sometimes, it’s best to just set the list aside and curl up on the couch with your child. Sick days are important to recovery, so turn on Netflix and wrap your arms around your child, and just spend some time together. My son especially feels comforted by foot rubs, but your child probably has their own unique comforting needs. Try it, and they’ll feel much better (or at least relax enough to rest and recover).
4. Let your child decide what they can handle. To some degree, anyway. When my son went through a recent bug, I had kept him on a steady diet of crackers and pedialyte to help him kick the bug. But when he requested cinnamon toast, I had to trust that his tummy was feeling up for it. While I worried the toast would come right back up, it didn’t– to some degree, kids know what they’re ready for. Now, this isn’t the time to pull out chocolate bars and cotton candy… it’s the time to take sensible requests into consideration. If your child says they’re ready, they may, in fact, be ready. Just make sure you’re trying small amounts and have a bucket nearby.
5. Make an Emergency Illness Bucket. Think about the things that your child enjoys, but that will allow them some distraction without a lot of excessive activity. Try some crayons, a new coloring book, some play dough, lacing cards, knitting supplies, bead activities, rainbow loom gear, playing cards, puzzles, or small Lego sets. These are some great ways to keep kids busy while sitting still, so when you see an illness coming on, you can pull out the illness bucket for that child. Replace a few items as they get used, but otherwise, this is a treat that will keep giving for seasons and years to come.
Do you have any great cold and flu season tips to soothe kids when they’re feeling ill? Share them in the comments below! Looking for more tips? Check out this post on getting kids to take their medicine, without a fight!
