Stop The Snot: Tips For When A Cold Hits Your Little One

Runny noses, sore throats, headaches… yep, we’ve hit cold season. As parents, we all want our little ones to feel comfortable, safe, and loved, especially when they’re under the weather with a bug or virus.

In this article, we’re sharing some simple solutions to help make your toddler’s sick days a little more bearable. Read on for practical tips that will help you support your child’s well-being and provide them the tender care they need during this time.

When your littles are sick, they can go through phases of feeling hot one minute and cold the next. Maintaining a comfortable temperature, around 20-22 degrees Celcius, in their room is important for ensuring overall comfiness. This will assist in their recovery as it’s a temp that promotes plenty of restful sleep, giving their little bodies time to heal and recuperate.

Offering plenty of fluids and keeping your little one hydrated will help their recovery. Encourage them to drink regularly, using their favourite cup or sippy cup to make it more enjoyable. Water is an excellent and obvious choice, as are diluted fruit juices, which can provide some added nutrients.

Propping your sick child’s head up can provide some much needed relief by reducing any congestion they might be experiencing. Place one of their favourite cushions under their head to help drain their sinus and promote better breathing. You’ll have one comfy kid, ready to rest and recover.

A sick kiddo is often accompanied by a lost appetite. Offering simple foods that they’ll accept and are easy to digest can aid them on their journey to recovery. Comfort foods like chicken soup or warm broths can offer a feeling of cosiness while still holding important nutritional value to help them get better. Foods rich in Vitamin C including oranges and strawberries are also great immune system boosters to help your child fight the nasties, getting them back to their happy and healthy selves as quickly as possible.

And though it may seem like a little detail, serving a nourishing meal on their favourite tableware will bring some fun back into what must feel like a very miserable time for them.

Sick children often find comfort in your arms, helping them feel safe and protected. When giving your little one soothing cuddles, add some gentle massaging to ease tension in their muscles and help them relax with a comforting touch. A little TLC in the form of rhythmic tummy rubs, stroking of the head or patting on their back are simple ways to help relieve any distress, allowing them to heal and regain their strength.

Providing comfort items, such as a favourite stuffed animal, fluffy pillow, or other familiar objects, can soothe and relax your toddler when they’re unwell. Whether it’s a soft toy they can cuddle with, a cosy blanket that provides warmth, or any treasured possession that brings them comfort, these items can offer a source of solace and reassurance, making your little one feel safe and secure while they recover from their illness.

Reading and telling stories to your little one when they are sick can help them distract them and contribute to their return to health. As you participate in storytime, your child is given an opportunity to participate in an activity that uses their imagination, taking their thoughts away from the discomfort they’re experiencing and improving their overall well-being.

Playing gentle music as your unwell child tries to rest not only helps promote sleep but also improve the quality and efficiency of that sleep. This means more of their time is actually spent resting and allowing their little bodies time to heal and bring them back to their happy selves. Gentle melodies or classical tunes played softly through a speaker or music orb creates a calm atmosphere to aid your child in getting a solid sleep to recoup and improve from their illness.

Maintaining good hygiene is critical for helping sick children get better whilst preventing the further spread of germs and extended illness. The last thing you want is a sick household, right? Encourage your child to regularly wash their hands with soap and warm water to protect from germs – make sure you are also washing your hands regularly when taking care of your sick child. Have tissues handy for them to sneeze or cough into (or their elbow if a tissue is not available) and immediately discard of said tissue to help stop the spread. Ensure there is no sharing of cups, cutlery or crockery to minimise the chances of passing any illnesses on to others and disinfect commonly used areas of the home to reduce the risk of secondary infections once they begin to heal and to protect other members of the household from also getting sick.

Creating a cosy sleeping space can contribute to your child’s comfort and help them rest better. Use soft, comfortable bedding, choose cosy pj’s, consider using a nightlight to create a soothing ambiance. Sleep and rest is one of the best things to help a sick child recover and a sleeping space that offers a warm and comforting atmosphere will encourage their bodies healing process to kick in and have them on the mend in no time.