Mom Hacks: Caring for a Sick Child

Caring for a child is hard work. Caring for a sick child is even harder. Let’s make it easier!

Call them mom hacks or medical hacks or life hacks. Either way, these tips will have your child feeling better in no time. You’ll feel happier and healthier. And be reminded of the purpose in this exhausting season.

A little explanation on why I’m writing this series of posts, including the first on how to reduce fever in children.

For the past 1.5 months we’ve been swirling in some form of illness. A sinus infection for me before a fall vacation. Headache and congestion for my husband for thanksgiving. And then it hit.

My son blessed the trashcan at a McDonalds off the interstate on the way home from Colorado.

In true sibling fashion, sis also spiked a fever by bedtime that night.

We’ve been up and down ever since. And it sounds like, talking to others, many of you have too.

So in lieu of the season–and I’m not talking the calm, silent nights season– I’m hopeful that this post reduces stress and makes things just a tad bit easier in these trying times.

What is a mom hack?

A hack is anything that makes life easier.

They are tried and tested by moms doing it the hard way only to learn this:

There’s a much easier way.

So a mom hack is anything that makes mom life easier. They help you save on things like:

• time
• money
• sanity

I personally love learning easy strategies from fellow mamas.

What are some mom hacks?

There are all kinds of hacks–laundry, cleaning, teething, food, etc.

The list is endless!

And while they all aim to offer value, I find there’s a certain category that every mom should have in her back pocket.

Why Sick Kid Hacks?

As moms, I feel like we’re given all this information about caring for your child– what, when, where, and why. But there’s often a very important piece missing–

HOW.

Today you’ll get a rich list of ideas for how to care for a sick child at home. We’ll focus on:

• Hydration
• Food
• Comfort

And last, but not least,

your sanity.

Here’s my best tips for nursing care of a sick child.

1. How to actually get them to drink

In all illness (yes, even vomiting) keeping your child hydrated is priority.

Simple enough right?

Wrong!

To avoid big messes and having them spit it all out, try these:

• Give a NEW cup— I’ve used everything from mom’s favorite mug to dad’s water bottle to swinging through the drive thru for that favorite fast-food cup. For some reason, even the shot size plastic medicine cups are super intriguing to my kids as well.
• Try a Straw— twisty, colorful or neon.
• Use a spoon— No one said you had to sip your drink. Try a fun spoon and let your kiddos spoon their drinks
• Syringe it— My son loves the syringe. Perhaps yours would to. If you’re child feels up to it, let them use the plunger and syringe their own water in.
• Add in flavor–Adding in small amount of juice, fizzy water, or a flavoring can be life changing. Oh, and don’t worry, mama. Giving kids juice while they are sick, won’t start bad habits, I promise 😉
• Give a Popsicle— Keep popsicles stocked in your fever or make your own.
• Dip Lollipop in water— Sucking on a lollipop can help soothe a sore throat and it’s also fun to watch it vanish in water. Drinking the water is highly appealing, too!
• Warm it up— if cold drinks aren’t appealing, warm them up. This work especially great with diluted apple juice or lemonade.
• Offer small amounts — smaller, but more frequent amounts are easier to tolerate than large gulps. And remember, this even applies to breastmilk and formula. For example, if your child takes 2 oz every 2 hours, try giving 15 mL every 15 minutes for 2 hours. At the end of the day, the amount of fluid will add up the same.
• Clear nasal passages— it can be really hard to try to drink and breathe when congested! Use suction or have child blow nose if congested before drinking.

2. How to get them to eat

Food isn’t a priority, especially at the onset of illness. But certain foods can be helpful and the way you give them matter.

Stomach bugs

Have you heard of the BRAT Diet? Or maybe the CRAM diet? This consists of bland, easy to digest (aka more likely to stay down!) food such as:

• Bananas
• Rice
• Applesauce
• Toast
• Cereal

Colds and Sore Throat

Most of these also count towards fluids, too! Try one or several of the following:

• Broth
• chicken noodle soup
• Fruit– slightly thawed
• Smoothies– always a go to in our house. This can be as simple as fruit blended with milk or a little fancier like a watermelon mango smoothie.

Make it Easy and Fun

Add some variation, interest and fun with:

• Sick Tray— As a kid, I secretly loved the tray my mom reserved for sick days. A divided plate works, too.
• Picnic— throw down a quick towel and let them picnic or enjoy on the couch
• Mini Meals— similar to fluids, small amounts are just tolerated better. Offer mini meals of preferred food.
• Don’t stress— don’t stress about optimal nutrition, servings of fruit, or veggies. If they take them, great. But main goal is to provide energy.

3. How to keep them comfortable

If the doc suggested ‘quiet activities’ but you’re racking your brain on how keep your child calm and comfortable, try the following:

• Distract— this is a great time to put on a favorite show or cuddle up and read a book.
• New toy — this could be a reason to get out that play farm from the gift closet or as simple as bringing down a forgotten bin of blocks from the toy rotation.
• Activities— Sticker books, window clings, or a novel pastime like sensory rice play
• Warm Pack— There’s something about cuddling up to something warm when sick or injured. Try a microwavable stuffed animal. I had one of these soothing stuffed bears growing up and loved it! Bonus, there’s no electrical cords to worry about.
• Elevate Head— especially if congested, elevate their head. This is easily done by rolling/folding a large towel or blanket under the crib/bed mattress.
• Moisture— add moisture into air by using a cool mist humidifier or diffuser. This is called the steam machine in our house 😉
• Massage— Massage with a soothing lotion or chest rub
• Spray— Along the lines of a soothing rub, this incredible mist helps with relaxing. The frankincense is also known to help reduce cold symptoms and help with pain/inflammation.
• Hold— honestly, one of the best medicines you can give your child is comfort and security. Use this as an opportunity to hold and enjoy some down time together.

4. How to remember it all

It’s hard enough to remember daily to-dos, much less when you throw a sick kid or two into the equation. Save yourself the stress! Write things down.

Record pertinent info like time and height of fever, last dose of medication, amount of fluids taken, and any questions or concerns. Simplify it by:

• Use Note app on your phone— avoid forgetting or the paper getting ruined. Use your phone to type or better yet, use voice record option.
• Set Alarms— title alarm with what you’re supposed to do ie. Give antibiotic
• Post the dose — Display each medication and child’s dose on paper and post it inside the medicine cabinet. Now there’s no second guessing and also super helpful for grandmother or other caregivers. Tip: update it after each well-child check to ensure appropriate dosing.
• Save this post— pin this post and all in the series to Pinterest so the next time your child is ill you have a quick reference.

5. How to stay sane while caring for a sick child

And lastly, but very important, reduce the stress. Illness always reminds me of those hectic days of newborn days when things weren’t as predictable. That can stressful. Keep the peace by the following:

• Don’t stress about schedule— when kids are sick, schedules can go out the window. AND THAT’S OKAY. Routine will follow when they feel better.
• Grocery Pick Up or delivery— Skip the shopping trip, but not your nutrition.
• Fast foods— You still have to feed yourself and the family. Think fast foods. While this can be the chipotle run, I’m also big on adding convenience foods to your pickup grocery order. Things like:
  • Precooked chicken strips
  • 90 second microwavable rice pouches
  • bagged salads
• Take the pressure off yourself— You can do many things but not all things. Don’t let clutter, mess, dishes steal your energy. This too will pass, and you will get caught up.

Nursing with love

Caring for you child can be challenging, but mom, let me end with this:

It can offer some of the most beautiful, most memorable moments in motherhood.

Being able to nurse our children with love, patience and creativity promote powerful relationships and restored health for everyone.

We are reminded in the bible that in this world we will have struggles (John 16:33); however, remembering that our wellness and livelihood rests in the Lord gives this trying season purpose and comfort in being a mother. Even to the most needy, clingy, sick child.

We are their world and with the help of some simple hacks + unconditional love, we can make that world even better.