I was recently challenged by Britmums to give advice what remedies we use when the kids are sick. What do I actually do/ use when they have a terrible cold or a fever? It can be quite tough to look after a sick kid. Think about it… when you feel miserable yourself. Sniffing and sneezing, feeling sorry for yourself. The kids feel exactly the same.
We were sent a cute little package with finger puppets, a book called “The rabbit who wants to fall asleep” and Vicks First Defence Nasal Spray to help and ease the cold.
Vicks released the key findings of British parents most common at home remedies:
- Over half (52%) of parents said that rest was the most important thing for making children feel better
- This was followed by “medicine”, which 40% of parents rely on
- More than a third of parents (36%) believe in the power of TLC
When it comes to entertaining the kids:
- Three out of four (75%) British parents put on the TV or a DVD
- Over a quarter (27%) read to their children
- 1 in 10 parents get really creative, either telling jokes (8%) or even do magic tricks (2%)
Family Psychologist Corinne Sweet highlights that “one of the most powerful antidotes to sickness developing further, is parental care and concern.”
Corinne advises that “listening to a story or watching a film is a good idea, as it is soothing and promotes laughter (an immune booster). But don’t let them play video games, watch scary films or spend hours on screens. This will keep their minds over-stimulated, when their immune systems need gentler stimulation and rest.”
Both my kids have been going to crèche since a young age (5/6 months). People have been telling me from the start, once you enter crèche, they will pick up all sorts of bugs. I mean it makes sense, a lot of children in one big place. It goes the same for soft play. Nobody is going to sit behind the child waiting for him/ her to be finished and disinfect the toy. It only toughens them up for years to come. I can see it in my oldest. He was sick constantly when he was young. Suddenly when he turned two, his immune system built up. He gets the occasional cold now.
When my kids are off crèche at home our remedies are as follows:
- Warm soup (Matthew loves fireman/ fire truck soup)
- Drinking lots of liquids. I am trying to keep Squash to a minimum and they are only allowed a bit of it at the weekend but when sick, it can get quite hard to get liquids into them and Squash can really help
- Depending on how bad the bug is, I believe in a long nap that will make it better
- Saline Spray for blocked nose
- Vicks VapoRub, we rub it on the chest, sole of the feet and back when they can’t breathe through the nose or the cough is bad. (For children aged 2 years and over. I did use this on the sole of the feet before they turned two I have to admit, because I find snuffle babe is not as effective)
- A treat like chocolate, it works wonders, because they get so excited.
What are you remedies when your children have a cold?
Disclaimer: This post is an entry for the #VicksTricks campaign.
Author
Definitely Ice cream. Mine sometimes don’t even want it though even if they are sick.
I don’t know what I would have done without Vicks over the years! Its definitely my go to remedy along with hugs on the settee and ice cream 😉
Some fab tips here! We do the same, when Sophie’s poorly we watch lots of films on the sofa, snuggled on the sofa so she can easily take a nap xx
Great tips there, mine are the same as you’re really a nice warm bath and then vapour rub at night really helps them get the good night sleep they need to fight it off! Cold and flu season is nearly over thank god!
Author
That’s what we do all the time.
Author
It’s brilliant. I even used it when I was a child
Author
Thanks Kate
Author
Hot squash? Must try that.
Author
You might not be able to find it because I bought it in a German store. It’s from Maggi.
I have to Google Fire Truck soup now! I am imagining spicy tomato 😀
I love the smell of Vicks. I do the trick of putting it on the bottom of the feet and that really helps. My children also hardly have squash but when they’re poorly, hot squash with honey in really helps.
Love your tricks and I too believe in the restorative power of good sleep. Commenting for myself and on behalf of BritMums and thanking you for taking part.
We use Vicks vaporrub when our daughter is all bunged up, always seems to do the trick!
I’ve heard that Vicks is good to put on the bottom of feet, then put socks over the top, before going to bed. I have no idea if it works but a reflexologist friend told me about it so you never know!
Love Vicks Vaporub and always make sure to have some in the house. We put it on the soles of feet too, a trick I remember from when I was little and my mum doing it to me.
Vicks vaporub is a godsend and stops that irritable coughing too that prevents them getting a good nights sleep!