Almost Wordless Wednesday: Caring For A Sick Toddler

I'm back again with my Almost Wordless Wednesday. We skipped last week and almost skipped this week again but mommy and I wanted to give a few tips since I was sick over the weekend. Yes I had a temperature of 103.1 degrees F and a very nasty cold. Thank goodness for Boogie Wipes.



Signs and symptoms: There are a few things that you need to be on the lookout for. A very high fever is one of them. If your baby is under 3 months old and has a temperature of 100.4 degrees F or higher call your doctor immediately. Between 3 and 6 months a temperature of 101 degrees F and older than 6 months a temperature of 103 degrees F or higher. Keep a thermometer on hand. Mommy uses one that's in ear but there are the forehead scanners as well. The most accurate reading though is in the bum but can be a pain to do since babies tend to squirm around a lot.

My temperature over the weekend. 103.1

You may also notice that your little one is sleeping more than usual, has a loss of appetite, coughs, is unusually fussy and might even have diarrhea and vomiting. Your baby may also be pale and flushed and may even have difficulty breathing. I sure was. I started off having a hard time breathing then my nose became so runny I was always wiping.

I was not my usual self and was asleep more than usual

There are a few things that you may want to keep on hand at all times. As most of you know by now my mommy is a Medic in the US Army so she always keeps a few things on hand for me so there is no need for me to go rushing to the ER. One thing that is always kept in our medicine cabinet is Children/Infant Tylenol (Acetaminophen) and Children/Infant Motrin (Ibuprofen). They can be given together but not at the same time. Ibuprofen is stronger than Acetaminophen and is recommended to be given every 6hrs while you can give Acetaminophen every 4hrs. It should be given according to baby's weight and always follow your doctor's directions. Never overdose, EVER!

Children's Tylenol and Children's Motrin (Ibuprofen)

Keep baby cool and if possible give a cool not cold, hot or warm bath to keep baby's temperature under control. Mommy uses a Lavender baby wash for me which not only smells good but is really good when I have a cold. There are lots of Lavender products out there on the market but mommy and I prefer using natural products so we use Babo Botanicals. 

Well what do you do about the runny nose and the congestion? It's a great idea to have a humidifier or vaporizer in your toddler/child's room which would help to prevent the mucus from drying out. Mommy also uses these homeopathic cold tablets which tastes really good as well and they seem to work for us. Might not work for you but it does for me. She also uses Vicky Baby Rub which helps with my congestion as well.

Don't forget to keep baby hydrated whether it's with water, Pedialyte or even their favorite juice. Encourage baby to drink.

It's flu season and its recommended that you get your baby vaccinated with the flu shot. It's actually recommended for babies ages 6 months and up and I've gotten it last year will once again get it again this year. This is again a choice for you since some moms decide not to vaccinate their children but mommy does. 

Once again these methods may not work for you. If you think that something is terribly wrong with your little one call your doctor. After all you are with your little one on a daily basis and will recognize when something isn't right. 

So question time. What do you do for your little one when they are sick? What tried and true methods work for you?