Being a parent or caregiver is not easy. It’s hard to know what to do when you feel like your child is sick, and it can be even more difficult to know how to care for them at home. You might go online and look for information or ask friends about their methods of dealing with a child’s sickness — and you will get a variety of opinions. Some will say iced tea will help relieve symptoms, while others say chicken soup does the trick. Here is some advice on dealing with a child who is ill.
Consult A Doctor
This might go without saying — but seek out medical advice from a professional. Nowadays with availability of medical information online, some people feel they can deal with their own medical issues on their own. However, you will want to talk to a doctor that specializes in children, and find one that your child feels comfortable around. If you need help finding one, your local hospital can be of assistance.
Once you are speaking with an actual doctor, inform them — with as much detail as possible — precisely what symptoms your little one has been experiencing, so that they can provide the best advice on what could make them feel better immediately — and over time. For example, they might recommend certain medications or suggest changes in the diet if necessary. If it turns out that something more serious needs attention, then the doctor will be able to advise on the best course of action — and you will have made the right decision for your child by seeking professional medical advice.
Have Supplements On Hand
As a parent or caregiver trying to find ways to relieve their child’s symptoms at home, finding out what is right for them won’t always come easy — so consulting with someone who knows about these things, like a doctor, would definitely be beneficial. Supplements are available in many different forms, and some of them will even change depending on age or weight.
Supplements don’t just have benefits while treating illnesses either; they can also be taken daily as a preventative measure to ensure good health. Children’s multivitamins are an excellent way to make sure that your little one gets all the nutrients that they need to stay active and energized throughout their day.
Create A Cozy Rest Area
When you have a sick child, the last thing that they want to do is go outside and play. They much rather would prefer to watch TV or read in bed because it’s comforting. Creating a designated rest area for your little one can be as simple as piling up all of their favorite blankets on top of their mattress, so that they are surrounded by softness before getting into bed.
You could also place some items around the room like stuffed animals, books, or family photos — but make sure everything gets disinfected on a regular basis. It’s important to keep the area clean so that germs are not able to travel from the child’s room to other areas of your home.
Keep The Child Warm
One of the most important things that you can do when caring for a sick child at home is keeping them warm. This not only includes their body temperature — but their emotional state as well. Children who are feeling down and out will often feel warmer than those who are more alert.
Making sure that they have plenty of blankets and clothing, such as wearing a boys dressing gown while resting, is great way to help with this. You could also consider using a heating pad if they’re having trouble getting comfortable. If the fever appears to be going down or staying consistent after implementing these steps, then you can slowly reduce the number of covers they have over time — until they’re back to their usual self again.
Cook Nutritious Dishes
When you have a sick child, they must be adequately fed, so their body is able to recover as fast as possible. This means having the proper amount of nutrients in each meal and making sure that every dish contains familiar flavors, since their stress from being sick might cause them to avoid eating altogether.
So, for example, if your little one loves chicken noodle soup, then prepare some for them — and ask what other dishes they would like prepared throughout the day. While they are under the weather, they may want some macaroni and cheese, grilled cheese sandwiches, oatmeal bars sweetened with honey, or other favorites that children are know to enjoy.
Provide Entertainment
When you have a sick child at home, they will most likely be spending the entire day in bed resting, which means that boredom can easily set in — if there’s nothing to do. Therefore, make sure to stock up on their favorite movies and television shows, by having them available on DVDs or through streaming services.
Your sick child will need distractions from being cooped up inside the house all of the time. So, in addition to videos, coloring books and even education games, like those about matching letters and pictures together, can be a great way to take illness off your child’s mind.
Be Present And Supportive
One of the most important things that a parent or caregiver can do when their child is unwell is to be there for them emotionally. This means being present both physically and mentally as they go through this tough time.
If you’re working during the day, then make sure to come home as soon as possible so that you can spend time with them. If you are working from home, try to take at least one full day off from work to devote all your attention to helping them get better. Talk to them about what’s been going on in school or their favorite activities, read stories together, watch movies, or play games — just be there for them in any way that you possibly can. Showing your support will help strengthen the bond between you two and make them feel more comfortable opening up about how they’re feeling.
While taking care of a sick child at home can be challenging, it’s essential to keep in mind that they need your love and support more than ever during this time.
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