We have survived one full year of Covid and common colds. While Charli has gracefully endured each runny nose, fever, and uneasy tummy; it is a wonder how I survived all of the worries.
Each visit to the doctor’s office and ER filling my very own tummy with angst, but my tool box with new tips, tricks, and strategies.
While I am not a medical professional and you should always trust your gut and the guidance of your pediatrician; I would love to share some of my favorite comfort goodies when mama or papa wants baby to feel better.
Some of the products are linked below. Captions under photos provide additional insight to how we used the products.
Thank me later!
Vapor Bubble Bath
Charli has fairly sensitive skin and did not experience any adverse reaction. We tried a few different brands and they were all fine for us.
Essential Oils + Diffuser
I am not linking this because it requires researching what you find appropriate for your baby. We used tea tree oil, peppermint oil, eucalyptus oil, and lavender oil in a diffuser outside of her bedroom door, where it was not accessible for her to touch. We primarily used it before she could communicate her needs and we were admittedly trying everything to keep her comfortable.
Caffeine Free Teas
I am not linking this because it requires researching what you find appropriate for your baby. My main goal is always to keep her hydrated and to put myself in her shoes. If I have a cough, a warm drink can help me get a good night’s rest. When Charli is sick and plagued with a cough, I like to “dream feed” her 1-3 oz of warm, caffeine-free tea (chamomile or peppermint) with a tsp of agave before I go to sleep myself. It has worked 100% of the time to lessen her cough, (and I am a light sleeper so I’d know). Note: I did not start this until Charli was about 10 months.
Baby Vapor Rub
I am “old school,” and I believe that Vicks on a child’s chest, back, and feet (add socks after) helps to provide comfort during sickness, and perhaps even expedites the length of a common cold. At a minimum, it clears some sinus congestion, but the rest; you can decide for yourself.
Vapor Plug Ins
We cannot survive any sickness without vapor plug ins. It is just as helpful for an adult with the sniffles. The refills are often hard to find online so when you find them, stock up. I also find that Walgreens carries the refills (with more in the pack). Whether online or in store, you can use HSA to pay for this product, which is a huge additional win!
Humidifier
I am sure many brands work well for humidifiers. Just be sure to get one that you don’t have to refill every day. What I am linking is a travel humidifier which is a game changer for going out of town. Find space in your luggage for your favorite sick kit items.
Homemade Chicken Soup
If your baby is eating solids, chicken soup is going to be an amazing cherry on top before bed time. I will leave this unlinked so that you can find your own recipe but we keep it simple; boiled boneless chicken shreds, chicken broth, mixed veggies, and some of our favorite spices. Note: we do chicken + rice soup because my baby does not like pasta for some reason.
Vapor Shower Tablets
When Charli is sick, I make her bathroom a “sauna” for at least 3-5 nights. I do this by putting on the hot shower water, closing the door, and adding vapor tablets to the stream of water. We try to sit in the bathroom for at least ten minutes to get the full experience. When she was younger, we’d have our evening bottle during this time. Now, at one year old, we put her pajamas on, lotion her body, brush her teeth, sing songs, read a book, etc. to pass the time.
Ice Pops
Whether you make your own or buy it from your favorite grocery store, ice pops are the perfect way to keep your sick baby hydrated if they’re refusing milk or water. I also find it distracting during teething bouts, and just plain ol’ comforting on sick days. We often make refreshing smoothies as a special treat when Charli is under the weather. I feed it to her on a spoon to avoid brain freeze! You can even add mint leaves for a little sinus kick!
Cuddles + Rest
No link or explanation needed here! Please mamas and papas, give your babies all of the cuddles when they’re sick. Once baby turns into a toddler, they are not always super snuggly. They want to be free + independent. While you’re likely going to get whatever virus they have, try to soak up this time as you really don’t get it back. Snuggles, snacks, and screen team are a dream team for everyone on sick days!
