The Hardest Part of Being a Mom

There are lots of things moms get to do on a daily basis. We are always on dirty diapers duty. We’re the sticky finger police and the tantrum quellers. We get to kiss owies and cuddle sleepy babies. We protect our little ones from swimming too deep, falling down stairs or running on the road. But one of the hardest things to do as a mom is watch our babies in pain when they get sick and we are unable to help.

It is inevitable, at some point your child will get a flu or a cold or the chicken pox. Despite our best efforts and all the right medical attention, often common sicknesses just take time to pass through their little systems. I know when my babies are in pain I would literally do anything to take it away, but sometimes I can’t.

Recently Zander had a virus that caused diarrhea. Within a short amount of time, and despite my best efforts to keep his little bum clean, dry and protected with cream, he got a horrible rash. It was heartbreaking to hold him helplessly while he cried in pain. Even thinking about it makes me tear up a little. He was so sad. It’s hard when they are so little and don’t understand what is going on, and you feel powerless to take away their pain.

This virus lasted what felt like an eternity, but it was actually about three days. During that time I realized that I wasn’t as unable to help as I thought. There are a lot of little things you can do to help make your baby more comfortable when they are sick. Since sickness is something we deal with as parents all the time, I thought I would share a list of just a few things that helped Zander while he had this virus. I also am sharing some things I have learned that help with a cold.

***Disclosure: None of these ideas constitute medical advice. You should always ask your doctor before trying anything you are unsure of with your baby. These are tips for after you have brought your child to the doctor and they have received appropriate medical care.***

4 Things to do when Your Baby has a Cold or Flu

1. Keep them Hydrated

The most important thing with any cold or flu is to make sure you keep your child hydrated. Especially if they have diarrhea or vomiting, they lose a lot of liquid. Dehydration is very serious in young children, but it can be avoided quite easily if you take appropriate action in a timely manner. At the first sign of a flu I start giving my children a drink with electrolytes and also make sure they are getting plenty of other liquids.

2. Take It Easy

Cancel playdates, stay home from the park, for heaven sakes don’t bring your child to preschool or church where they can get other children sick! When Zoey is sick she gets to cuddle up on the couch and watch as much TV as her little heart desires. Too much exertion can make dehydration worse and make cold and flu symptoms feel stronger. When an adult is sick they naturally know to take it easy, but kids aren’t great at listening to their bodies cues. So be more aware and make sure your child is getting all the extra rest they need.

3. Watch Out for Diaper Rashes

If your child is experiencing diarrhea there is more you can do than just keep them hydrated. Make sure you don’t use regular baby wipes, as they often leave bacteria which makes a rash worse. After every change rinse their bum in warm water under the tap, air dry, and then put a barrier cream all over to protect them from the next change. My doctor recommended over the counter vaseline and that worked for Zander. If things get too uncomfortable, let them roam diaper free as much as possible. This really helps even the worst rashes.

4. For a Stuffy Nose

If your child has a stuffy nose try using a cool mist humidifier in their room to help clear their sinuses. It is so difficult to clear a babies nose sometimes, Zoey is almost four and she still doesn’t know how to blow her nose. Often when you try the little devices that help clear out their nose, babies scream and pull away. A humidifier is a simple way to help with this.

These four things have really helps calm the chaos of parenting when I have a baby that is sick with the cold or flu! Colds and flus can come at any time, so it is smart to be stocked up with the essentials. Seeing your babies sick is hard, but it is easier when you take a few steps to make sure your babies are as comfortable as possible.

When was the last time you had a sick baby? What did you do that helped them feel better?

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Zoey’s Top: Old Navy | Zoey’s Swimsuit: SwimZip | Zander’s Suit: SwimZip