Sick Baby and Toddler Guide to Get Through Cold and Flu Season

There are so many exciting things to look forward during the fall and winter season. The holiday season is near, and it’s a time to celebrate with friends and family. What isn’t fun is cold and flu season. This time of year, we see kids getting sick from the bugs that spread as the weather changes and it gets colder. The best thing to do is be prepared so that if your little one does get sick, you will be ready! Here are a few of my favorite things to help your sick baby and toddler, and a few things to help keep their immune system strong.

My favorite products

1. Nose Frida Snotsucker:This is truly the most effective way to clear boogers out of your little one’s nose. I prefer this over the outdated bulb syringe that isn’t as effective or safe to use and can’t be cleaned properly. The Nose Frida comes with an all-natural saline nasal spray to moisten the boogers, making it easier to clear. For those older kids that don’t know how to blow their nose, the Nose Frida can be used on them as well. I do however recommend swaddling the child to keep them from swinging their arms.

2. Cool Mist Humidifier:A cool mist humidifier is a great way to help alleviate inflammation in the airway, so if your little one has a cough, a humidifier will help them breathe more easily. It is very common to deal with dry nose, nasal congestion, sore throats and coughing when you have a cold, so adding the extra moisture in the air can help decrease swollen nasal passages and moisturize dry throats in your sick children.

3. Vapor Rub:I discovered Zarbees chest rub when my daughter was sick and it quickly become one of my favorite products! It has eucalyptus, lavender, pine and beeswax-it smells so good. They have a baby version that can be used for babies 2 months and older, and they have a child version that is for children 2 years and older. You can rub it on the chest, neck, back, and the bottom of the feet

4. Saline spray:Because we live in Utah, a saline spray is a must in our house! It is such a wonderful remedy to help with mucous, congestion and nasal dryness (hello, Utah) that your baby might be experiencing. I definitely recommend using a saline spray before using the nose Frida to help loosen the mucous. I love the mommy’s bliss nasal mist because the nozzle is easy to use and the mist is more comforting for the kids

Fever

When your kiddo gets a fever, it can be so scary. Even as a pediatric nurse, when my little one gets a fever it makes me so anxious, but I remember that they aren’t necessarily a bad thing! A fever is our body’s way of fighting off whatever infection our baby has. What “qualifies” as a fever? In your child, anything 100.4 or higher. It is important to call your pediatrician right away if your child is 2 months old or younger with a rectal temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, or if your child has a fever of 104°F recurrently.

For Here are a few things to help your little one and their fever!

1. Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate:Making sure that your little one is hydrated with a fever is so important. A lot of times when kids have a fever, they might not have their regular appetite. Think about when you are sick, you usually don’t want to eat much. Kids are the same way. But it is very important that they remain hydrated. For babies that are breastfed, or formula fed, continue to offer the breast and bottle and count their wet diapers to make sure they are staying hydrated. For children older than 1, Pedialyte is a great electrolyte drink that can help with hydration.

2. Rest: A fever can leave your little one very tired. It is important that they rest. If you are like me, you love a good schedule for your kids. But when they have a fever, their bodies need rest. So if they are sleeping a lot more, let them 

3. Appropriate temperature monitoring:If your little one has a fever they more than likely have chills as well. It can make them feel cold but try to avoid heavy blankets and extra clothing. Use tempered water when giving a bath.

For my breastfeeding mama’s, breastmilk is called liquid gold for so many reasons! One of them being that it can help with congestion. Breastmilk is filled with antibodies and antivirals which can help shorten a cold. Similar to saline, breastmilk can help break up mucous. I love to use a little dropper or syringe and put a little up your baby’s nose. For your older children, you can hide breastmilk in their smoothies or, my daughter’s favorite, chocolate milk.

During cold/flu season, I make sure that my little one is getting her vitamins in! I love Hiya multivitamin, elderberry, vitamin C, and vitamin D! These are the vitamins that my daughter gets every day.