Raising children is hard work, and sometimes, children get sick. Times like this call for a lot of reassurance and cuddles, as well as ways to make them feel better. So, here are some suggestions for what you should do when your toddlers get sick.
1. Focus on good hygiene and proper illness etiquette
The first thing to do when a toddler gets sick is to focus on the most important thing: good health hygiene. You want to make sure that you are following proper illness etiquette.
The first thing we tell any parent is to make sure they are washing their hands after changing the child’s nappy, touching their toys, or touching anything else in the house.
Make sure that your hands are clean when you are giving the toddler medicine or preparing food for them. It is important that they don’t get sicker because of germs on your hands or surfaces in your home.
2. Keep them hydrated
One of the main things to remember when it comes to toddlers and throwing up is that they get dehydrated quickly. Since young ones throw up more than adults, they lose a lot of fluids and electrolytes since they don’t have much (if any) body fat for it to get stored in.
This means you have to replenish fluids to keep them hydrated. How much? The rule of thumb is 1-2 cups per every pound they’ve lost in weight since they last ate.
3. Remember, children’s health insurance is important
If your child is sick, it can be difficult to figure out what to do. It is important that you contact the doctor if your child wakes during the night crying. A parent’s biggest fear is that something is very wrong with their child.
It is recommended that all children are well protected with an insurance plan before they are born or come home from the hospital. Now you can know that your little one will be covered in the unfortunate event they get sick.
4. Visit the doctor immediately when you suspect your child is sick
Your toddler’s sickness can be a sign that something is wrong. If your child starts to show any signs of being sick – from sneezing to coughing – it is important to visit a doctor immediately.
There are many illnesses that your child could have, and the sooner you catch them, the better off they will be. Plus, there is no point in letting them suffer for several days if they can feel better right away.
5. Remove the infected child from the playgroup
When a toddler gets sick, you should take immediate action to prevent the infection from spreading. The main action you should take is getting your sick toddler away from other children.
That’s right; it’s time to remove the infected child from their nursery class or playdates until they are feeling better. Also, if there is a chance that your other children may have been exposed, you should get them checked up at a doctor’s office immediately.
Final thoughts
Toddlers get sick. Just like adults, they can roll around on the floor grumbling and groaning and maybe even throw up a little. Of course, that’s not to say that they’re looking for attention or that their mum and dad should tolerate it – but we all know we might. That’s why we try to help them feel better as soon as possible with medicine and some rest time.
