Terri Ramsey Beavers As a parent, you do not want your baby to get sick; that’s a given. Sadly, becoming ill is part and parcel of raising kids, and all germs and bugs they come into contact with help build their immune systems and help them develop as they need to. However, that doesn’t mean it’s nice to go through for anyone or easy at all.
If you’re a new parent who is worried about caring for a sick baby or you’re feeling snowed under with the sheer volume of coughs, colds, and stomach bugs your baby will come into contact with, these tips can help.
Be Prepared; Stock Up
Stocking up on acetaminophen is vital when those coughs and colds hit, and this can be taken from birth for all babies unless your doctor has advised otherwise. Ibuprofen, however, can’t be given to newborn infants under 3 months of age. But stocking up on all the essentials for when your baby gets ill can be a great place to start. You might need to check out the Dr. Noze Best NozeBot® Max Bundle to help ease congestion in babies and help them sleep better and breathe easier when they have a cold; you might need a room and body thermometer to check the temperature, you might need cooling products for sore gums for teething and body to soothe a fever and have plenty of ways of getting fluids into your baby especially if you exclusively breastfeed and they won’t nurse due to feeling under the weather.
Stay Close
It’s highly likely your baby will want to stay close to you when they don’t feel well, so make sure you’re prepared for them to be extra clingy and want to be with you more than usual. This is entirely natural, even if overwhelming. Your presence will be a great source of comfort for them. Also, don’t expect them to follow the usual routine and lay down alone when they feel ill; they will want you, and being prepared to monopolize your personal space can help both of you through this time.
Rest
This goes for both parents and baby too. Being ill takes its toll on your body and your baby, but you need sleep to help you cope with the demands of a sick baby and desire that you are also able to help them when needed. This means sleeping when they sleep, sleeping close to them so you all get a better night’s sleep, and being prepared for a disturbed night will make things a little bit easier as much as you can. But during this time, prioritize rest for everyone so you can power through the rough patches.
Ask For Help
While your baby might not be sick enough to need medical intervention, you might still need help caring for them while they are ill. With this in mind, you can look at asking family or friends to help you out. Whether it’s popping to the shops for some bits of you, taking over while you grab a bath or a nap for an hour, or simply keeping you company when things get rough. Ask around to see who can help you and how, and use this support to help you care for your baby and give them what they need.
Humidifier
If your baby is suffering from coughs and colds, then dry air can make the symptoms a lot worse for them and you if you end up catching it off them. Using a humidifier can help you add moisture to the air, which can be a great help in easing congestion. Cool air humidifiers for babies are recommended for this purpose over warm air options so they’re safer; however, reducing the dry air in your home can be extremely beneficial in the case of coughs and colds.
Sleep At An Incline
If your baby is sick with congestion, sleeping at an incline can help them sleep easier. For babies, this might be sleeping on you so they don’t experience the post-nasal drip from congestion; otherwise, the recommended advice is they lie flat. For older children, you can raise their pillow slightly so their head is elevated to help ease symptoms.
Fresh Air
The last thing you likely want to do when your child isn’t feeling great is to get out and about; however, opening windows can help you eradicate germs from your home, and opening the door and spending a bit of time outside can help you to feel better physically and mentally. Fresh air is incredibly restorative even if you don’t go anywhere, just stand in your yard or at your front door, or even just crack a window open. Let fresh air in and see how it can help you feel better and help your child recover from their illness.
Trust your Instincts
While colds and viruses are common and par for the course for parents, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get medical advice if you feel overly concerned. If you feel your child has a fever that isn’t breaking or easing with medication, or you notice a rash, become extremely lethargic, or stop drinking fluids, then you should always trust your gut instinct and seek medical advice to hope you care for them properly. Despite how common they are, you never know how your baby will react when they contract these illnesses, and as their parents, trust your instincts and get help if you feel you cannot manage things at home or if they need medical intervention.
Caring for your sick baby isn’t always going to be a walk in the park. It is likely going to be stressful and intense and extremely exhaling depending on the type of illness they have and the duration it lingers for. Knowing how to care for your baby and yourself during this time can lessen the impact, and you’re never in the best possible position to care for them as needed and get them back to full health in no time.