Achooooooo–All it takes is one little sneeze and I know what’s coming next. Achooooooo– the next kid goes down. A day later, Achooooooo-and now it’s me. Finally it’s the most dangerous Achooooooo–of all, my husband with the dreaded “man cold.” And all with that first Achooooooo– no one is sleeping, everyone is miserable, and I look like a zombie straight out of the walking dead. During cold and flu season you need some Mom Hacks to help everyone feel better especially when it comes to giving your kiddos medicine.
- Tissues, Tissues everywhere and here’s how to fix it! Cut down on the mess from dirty tissues and keep kids from jumping in and out of bed all night to blow their nose by taking two tissues boxes, one full and one empty, and wrap a rubber band around both boxes. Your child can grab tissue, blow their nose, and drop the tissue in the empty box. I even attach a small bottle of hand sanitizer for super messy nose blowing.
- Popsicles make everyone feel better (even in the winter!) soadd Jell-o to homemade popsicles and they won’t melt as fast! If you add some fruit, you get a something healthy into a sick kiddo with zero appetite.
- Soothe those coughs and sore throats by grabbing a few spoonfuls of Jell-o, warming it up in the microwave for a few seconds, and adding a tablespoon of honey. The gelatin and honey combo will calm their cough and take away throat pain–great for right before bed. Just remember that honey should only be given to children over the age of one.
- Hydration is key but if your kids are lying down or napping, you can fully expect spills on their bed and your couch—but not anymore! Grab a cup with a lid and put a crazy straw in upside down. Even if the cup falls over, it won’t spill!
- We’re already suffering from Mommy-Brain (am I right?) Here’s something that helps: If you’re handing out doses of medicine and need to keep track of the times and doses late at night and during the day, use a dry erase marker on the bathroom mirror to remind you who got what medicine.
Of course any time we give our kids medicine, we have to keep their safety in mind. My friends at KnowYourOTCs have some reminders for parents as we head into cold and flu season.
Especially since a 2014 study in the journal Pediatrics reported that every eight minutes, a child under the age of 6 experiences a medication error outside of the doctor’s office or hospital.
Here are some important tips for parents from the KnowYourOTCs:
- Always read and follow the label.
- Alway give the recommended dose and use the correct measuring device.
- Only use the medicine that treats your child’s specific symptoms.
- Never give two medicines with any of the same active ingredients.
- Never use cough, cold, or allergy medicines to sedate your child.
- Never give aspirin-containing products to children and adolescents for cold or flu symptoms unless told to do so by a doctor.
- Do not use oral cough and cold medicines in children under four.
- Do not give a medicine only intended for adults to a child.
- Stop use and contact your doctor immediately if your child develops any side effects or reactions that concern you.
- Keep all medicines — and vitamins, too — up and away and out of your child’s reach and sight.
- Teach your child about using medicines safely. Tell your children what medicine is and why you must be the one to give it to them. Never tell children medicine is candy to get them to take it, even if your child does not like to take his or her medicine.
So even if it’s late at night and everyone is sick, take the time to measure out their medicine and yours too. And in the morning, take lots of naps and watch a lot of Netflix… a of Netflix.
This post is sponsored by the CHPA educational foundation,KnowYourOTCs.org but all opinions are my own.