It is natural to feel helpless when your young son or daughter feels ill, as you’d likely switch places with them in a heartbeat if you could. Also, you’ll likely want to help them as much as possible to ensure they have a speedy recovery.
Fortunately, you can take various steps to make your little one feel better and more comfortable. Find out how to care for your child when they’re sick.
Encourage Small, Frequent Sips of Fluid
Water is the best medicine when a child is ill, as it can soothe a sore throat, prevent dehydration, ease congestion, and replace lost fluids after vomiting. Small yet frequent sips of water are best, especially if a child has been vomiting.
If your child refuses water or struggles to drink much each hour, popsicles are a handy alternative that will provide their body with a small amount of fluid. Also, it could soothe a sore throat, which might be irritated from coughing.
Listen to Your Little One
Listening is one of the best things you can do for your little one, especially when they’re ill. For example, if they say they don’t want to sit in bed, they might feel happier relaxing on the sofa in front of the TV with a blanket, as it could distract their mind when unwell. Also, they might want someone to talk to about how bad they feel and receive a little attention, which could make them feel comforted when unwell.
Trust Your Gut and Talk to a Doctor
If you believe at-home care isn’t enough for your child andneed to talk to a doctor, don’t hesitate to book an appointment with a GP. You can speak to a doctor the same day at tapgp.co.uk, even during weekends and evenings. After talking to you and your child, they might prescribe a medication to treat a health issue or organize a referral if they feel it’s necessary.
Follow the BRAT Diet After Vomiting
If your child has been vomiting or had diarrhea, you can re-introduce foods after 24 to 48 hours after their last episode. However, you must avoid foods that are difficult to digest, such as spicy meals or snacks, milk, or cheese. Instead, they should follow the BRAT diet, which is:
- Bananas
- Rice
- Applesauce
- Toast (dry)
The above items might sound a little bland for your child at first, but they will ease their stomach into eating again.
Monitor a Fever
A fever (a high temperature of 38C or above) is a body’s natural response to illness and isn’t usually anything to worry about unless your child is under three months old. If they have a high temperature, your son or daughter might feel hotter than usual on their chest or back, be sweaty, or look and feel unwell.
Acetaminophen or ibuprofen can lower a child’s fever, which may help your little one feel better. However, you shouldn’t hesitate to seek medical attention if your child has a fever and appears quite ill or if your baby is under three months old.
