There is nothing more heart wrenching than watching your young child wrestle with
illness. This year’s flu is particularly horrid with a severe cough and fever that leaves even the
youngest children and healthy adults bedridden. When it comes to life with sick kids all you want is to take away their pain and discomfort so they can be back to their adorable troublemaking selves. Knowing how to comfort kids with the flu will make life easier for you and your children.
Control your child’s symptoms
This year’s flu and the symptoms are so bad that children with the flu are being brought to emergency rooms around the country . The best way to keep your child comfortable while they
fight off the flu is to keep the symptoms in check.
Relief from the Night Time Cough
If your child has a dry cough you can ease the cough with a humidifier or cough drops. For a wet cough look for a comforting option that helps your child clear mucus like Zarbee’s cough + mucus or one of these natural cough remedies. You do not want to fully stop a wet cough because it can help the lungs fill with fluid. If your child is under two years old, be on the lookout for RSV.
Your child may not feel up to eating much with the flu but keeping hydrated is vital to bouncing
back fast. A coconut water or Pedialyte will help keep your child hydrated through the fevers. This will also aid in keeping mucus thin and easier to cough clear. If my child isn’t feverish and is up to it I give them these popsicles. They are naturally hydrating and help relieve the cough as well. However, a child that has a high temp shouldn’t be given popsicles because it may lead to shivering which actually raises his temperature more.
Controlling fever
Help your child feel better by controlling your child’s fever. A mild fever or a fever under 102 that
your child is sleeping through is fine to let runs its course. The fever will take breaks and start
back up to help fight the virus. If the fever gets too high or leaves your child with body aches you
can help bring it down with fever reducers or a warm washcloth. If you want to know how to give kids medicine without a fight, try my medicine hack.
Rest is the best way to heal fast from the flu but spending all day laying around in bed can get
boring. Make it easier for your child to relax in bed by offering plenty of entertainment. Camp out
on the couch with good books or Netflix to help encourage kids to rest even after they start
feeling a bit better. Once kids are feeling well enough to sit up you can give them something
they can do sitting up like coloring in coloring books or playing a calm board game.
All that coughing can lead to throwing up and mucus is bound to come up regardless. Provide
your child with a large bowl or small size trash can lined with a grocery bag to make it easier not
to throw up in a rush to get to the bathroom. Add a small basket next to them with vitamin C
drops to help get the bad taste out of their mouth and boost their immune system at the same
time.
Dispense extra TLC
Sick kids really want to spend more time with their parents. This is a good thing when you have
young children because odds are you will get the flu as well and when your child just wants to
snuggle and sleep with mama you can get a much-needed rest as well. All those cuddles are
good for everyone when the flu hits. If your child cannot be comforted, a high fever cannot be
broken at home, or your child struggles to breath call their doctor or take them to the nearest
clinic.
Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional and this article should not be taken as medical advice or treatment. Please contact your child’s doctor for medical advice.
For more flu tips:
Janine Huldie says
What absolutely great advice and I also happy you included about RSV here as my older daughter had that when she was very little, too. And back then I didn’t know much about it until she actually was diagnosed with it. But since then I learned so much about it as my poor girl suffered even after having recurring bouts of pneumonia from it over the years as her lungs became comprised. I like you have also written about RSV to help others. So, I can’t stress enough for parents of younger kids to learn more about RSV. But again great advice and truly appreciate you sharing this here.