Throughout any school year, every parent is bound to receive the call. It’s the nurse’s office telling you your child is too sick to be at school. While the spread of germs and illness is inevitable, knowing exactly what to do when your child comes home can be overwhelming. What should they eat? What medicine should they take?
We broke down six tips to help soothe your child’s symptoms and get them better fast.
Give them a lukewarm bath
If your child is burning up with a fever, it might be tempting to run a cold bath to try and bring down their temperature, but that’s not the way to go. Instead, use lukewarm or room-temperature water, which will help to cool down their skin and release body heat out into the water. Add in pediatrician-tested Johnson’s® Soothing Vapor Bath, which also provides a soothing aroma, to truly make bath time special. For children who are too young for a traditional bath, try a sponge bath or use washcloths rinsed in lukewarm water.
Use medication carefully
Fever reducers such as acetaminophen—found in Children’s Tylenol®—can lower their temperature and relieve minor aches and pains. Always read the instructions carefully and ask your pediatrician for their recommendation when determining the correct dosage.
Encourage fluids and rest
Vomiting and diarrhea can cause dehydration, and dehydration can make things feel worse, so a key step in the recovery process is to ensure your child is taking in lots of fluids. Even if they say they’re not thirsty, offer up a variety of ways for them get in adequate liquids, such as:
- Water
- Diluted fruit juice
- Drinks with electrolytes
- Sugar-free popsicles
Along with encouraging fluids, it’s even more important to encourage rest. If their symptoms make them (understandably) unable to sleep well, consider giving them Zarbee’s® Children’s Sleep with Melatonin Gummies or Zarbee’s® Children’s Gentle Bedtime Gummies. Both are safe and effective options to support a dreamy bedtime for children 3+ years.*
Keep an eye on their diet
Whether they have an upset tummy or a stuffy nose, you want to make sure you’re providing food that’s easy to digest while still containing the nutrition they need. Avoid greasy foods and sugary drinks that can make their symptoms worse. The standby—chicken noodle soup—is a good place to start, as it helps meet their increased need for fluids while delivering needed protein. Other options are things like:
- Soft fruits (bananas, applesauce, etc.)
- Mashed potatoes
- Oatmeal or cream of wheat
- Toast
- Crackers
- Yogurt
- Eggs
- Peanut butter
Use a humidifier
When it comes to at-home remedies, one tool to have in your arsenal is a cool mist humidifier, which can add moisture to the dry air that can make a sore throat, coughing, congestion and discomfort feel even worse. Place one in your child’s room and to keep the air moist, and be sure to clean it as directed to prevent the growth of minerals, mold and bacteria.
Address lingering symptoms
The goal of every parent is to make sure that their child is comfortable, and one way to do that is to soothe their symptoms. After all, that’s how Zarbee’s® was founded! Father and pediatrician Dr. Zak Zarbock, was unable to find effective, drug-free products to keep the whole family healthy and aspired to bring new ideas for his kids and patients’ best health.
One of the results: Zarbee’s® Kid’s Cough + Mucus Day/Night. To address a cough around the clock, this cough syrup — which is free of drugs, alcohol and any artificial sweeteners — is proven to soothe coughs associated with hoarseness, dry throats and irritants. The nighttime cough syrup also contains chamomile, which supports calm before bed.