Parenting a child is hard for the faint of heart, and this is especially true when your child is ill. They can't tell you what's wrong, there's no way of knowing what they need, and while you want to help them feel better as soon as possible, many common therapies aren't healthy for babies.
Here's a rundown of everything you'll need to deal with your baby's next illness like a pro. They won't make your baby feel better faster, but they will keep him or her comfortable while also putting your mind at ease.
Everything a Sick Child Needs
Parenting a child is difficult for everyone, but it is more difficult when your child is sick. They can't tell you what's wrong, and you have no way of knowing what they require. While you want to help them feel better as quickly as possible, many common cures are harmful to babies.
Here's everything you'll need to handle your baby's next illness like a pro. They won't make your baby feel better right away, but they will keep him or her comfortable while also easing your anxiety.
A high enough fever in a baby may need a call to the pediatrician or a trip to the nearest emergency room. The definition of fever changes depending on the age of your child and the type of thermometer you're using (oral versus rectal, for example).
In younger newborns, a rectal temperature is a gold standard for accuracy, so you should consider being able to take a temperature in multiple ways.
Pain relievers for babies
When your baby is in pain, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen made for newborns are generally safe to administer. (Doctors advise against using fever-reducing medications unless your infant is having difficulty feeding or sleeping due to discomfort.)
Ibuprofen can be given to babies over the age of six months, whereas acetaminophen can be given to babies over the age of two months. However, it's always a good idea to seek medical advice (especially if it is your first time administering).
Medication inserts will include dosage instructions depending on age and weight, but if you're still confused, consult your pediatrician. A fever of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or greater in a newborn under the age of three months should be reported to the doctor as soon as possible since it could be an indication of infection.
What You Will Require
One box of infant-formulated acetaminophen and one package of ibuprofen should be kept on hand. You may need to switch drugs every few hours, or your kid may prefer one over the other.
Because babies and little children can't chew or swallow tablets, you'll want to choose a liquid formula.
Humidifier
Coughs, sore throats, and stuffy noses will be exacerbated by dry air, but using a cool-mist humidifier in your baby's room during naps and at night may help to alleviate some of these symptoms. The same effect can be achieved with a standard humidifier that generates warm mist, but pediatricians prefer cold mist in children's rooms to avoid the danger of burns (in case the unit is accidentally knocked over or pulled down).
What You Will Require
You'll only need one cool-mist humidifier (unless you have multiple baby rooms in your home!). Humidifiers designed exclusively for children, such as those shaped like cute elephants, frogs, and pigs, are entertaining but not required.
Mucus Decongestants
Cold medicine should not be given to children under the age of six, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) (and many doctors recommend waiting even longer).
Although you won't be able to do much to alleviate your baby's sniffling, sneezing, and congestion, saline is a safe approach to thin and loosen some of his mucus. It also moistens their nasal passages, making it easier for them to breathe.
You can also use one of the numerous suction devices sold for this purpose to manually remove some of your baby's mucus.
How to Stay Hydrated
It's critical to keep your kid hydrated during an illness for their overall health, but it's not always as easy as offering them a sippy cup. Giving breastfeeding and bottle-feeding babies additional opportunities to nurse or drink from a bottle will help them keep hydrated.
Feverish older babies may not be interested in drinking water, so you'll have to get creative and come up with other ways to keep them hydrated. Keep in mind that most fruit juices are high in sugar, so don't go crazy. However, diluting juice with water will reduce the sugar content, and it might be worth it if your child won't drink anything else.
Care for your comfort
Have you ever attempted wiping a baby's nose? The combination of unpleasant sensations and a baby's general perplexity about why they are so unhappy might result in extreme irritability.
Providing some comfort care, particularly for their sensitive skin, can help to alleviate some of their anxiety and make it easier for you both to get through ill days.
For a baby's dry, chapped skin, a tube of Aquaphor is a lifeline. A soothing sensory experience for your baby can be a baby-friendly lotion scented with lavender or honey; you could even try giving your baby a peaceful massage before a nap or bedtime.
Cleaning Materials
When your kid is sick, there's a considerable possibility you'll get sick from being so near to them. Furthermore, sick babies are messy: diaper blowouts, medicine spit-ups, snot-filled sneezes, and vomiting are all common. By keeping a few simple cleaning products on hand, you can boost your chances of remaining healthy.
Green, natural cleaners have their place in your home, but when your infant is unwell, you may need to use an antibacterial cleaner or a strong disinfectant on some surfaces.
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