When you have toddlers and babies it seems like cold and flu season can last all year long. Understandably, parents want to make sure they’re doing everything they can to help their babies feel better as quickly as possible. As parents we wish we could take away their pain and discomfort, but since we can’t, having the right tools is second best. As a mom of 2 pandemic toddlers, I’m going to share with you these 5 Must Haves For When Your Toddler Gets Sick.
I also want to disclaim that I am not a doctor nor am I giving out medical advice. I’m only sharing what has worked best in our experience.
Ibuprofen
One of the scariest parts of our kids getting sick is fevers. Fevers are our bodies way of fighting whatever is in our bodies and even though it’s a normal part of fighting off sickness, it can still be scary to deal with. Many times, fevers can be brought down without medicine but if it’s a concern to you and you want to help reduce the fever or aide in your child’s discomfort, I find infant or children’s Ibuprofen in children over 6 months works much better than Tylenol. It seems to work faster and lasts longer.
I prefer brands without dyes and other unnecessary ingredients. For your babies 6 months and under, I recommend Little Remedies acetaminophen. This brand contains no dyes, alcohol, or parabens. Of course, always consult any medication use with your child’s doctor.
Zarbees Chest Rub
This is one of my favorites and always part of my “sick essentials” kit. The Zarbees Chest Rub is menthol and petroleum free but smells heavenly and will help your toddler or baby breathe easier when they’re congested. I use it throughout the day. On the chest and back before bed and during the day. Then at night I make sure to use it under a pair of socks. It never hurts to consider using things with less ingredients and toxins for your family. Zarbees has proven to be a great and effective brand for us!
Zarbees Cough & Mucus
Another thing I love about Zarbees is that they have products for all ages. For babies under 1, since honey is not recommended, Zarbees has their Baby Cough Syrup. For children over 12 months old they also have their Cough Syrup + Immune Support for both day and night. This is a great product because not only is it free from harsh additives, but it’s derived from natural products and helps boost their immune system as well. This is great since most children under 5 aren’t recommended to take any harsh cough syrups you normally find OTC.
Nasal Spray
Next up is nasal spray. This is a must have with babies and toddlers because many kids around that age haven’t learned to blow their noses yet. Being able to relieve them of mucus build up is important to help them breathe as well as comfort and cleanliness. Toddler moms will know what I mean about that haha. My type A self likes to stick to one brand when I like it, so I stick with the Zarbees Nasal Spray. There are other great brands though such as Little Remedies who also have saline nasal spray and drops.
Electric Nose Frida
Lastly, if your toddler or baby is sick and suffering from congestion and mucus then this is a MUST. Helping a toddler or baby clean their nose has to be one of the worst parts of caring for a sick child. It can be scary for them and so uncomfortable for you, having to fight them just to do it. The Electric Nose Frida is great for both babies and toddlers! It has different tips to fit perfectly into baby nostrils as well as toddler nostrils. The tips are also soft and flexible to be able to move around while suctioning without hurting your little one. It’s super simple to clean and is rechargeable.
Caring for a sick child is never easy. Between needing to sometimes take time off work or being sick yourself, having tools to make things a little easier always helps. Being a mom of 2 young toddlers, I’ve learned a lot along the way and sometimes less is more. So I hope these 5 Must Haves For When Your Toddler Gets Sick help you this next cold & flu season.
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