Guest Author - Paula Petrie

Young children because of their size and age, haven’t had a chance to build up resistance to germs, and do get sick more often than older children. Unfortunately, moms are frequently run down and susceptible to viral infections as well.

Frequent hand washing is imperative. Wipe a small child’s hands frequently with a baby wipe. It is also important to avoid touching your mouth, nose and eyes. Rest to prevent being run down, and a multi-vitamin wouldn’t hurt.

It is recommended that children under two and pregnant women get a flu shot. Avoid people who have colds and over-crowded rooms if possible. It is a good practice for young children to wear hats and for your own benefit during flu season, beautifully tailored gloves have more value than just good looks.

A diet rich in fruit, vegetables, and herbs, helps to build a healthy constitution. Eating well, getting fresh air, and exercise, should build up your family’s defenses.

Giving Medicine

When children do become sick, giving timed doses of medicine is important for it to work properly. Making a chart to stick on the fridge helps you remember to give medication on time and lets you see if you’ve missed a dose.

A fever signals that the body is fighting an infection. The main reason to give medicine to reduce a fever is to make an achy or fussy child feel more comfortable.

Babies under one month. Call the doctor if your baby's temperature goes over 100.5°F rectally.
Babies one to 3 months old. Call your doctor if your baby has a temperature of 100.5°F. Or a fever that has lasted more than 24 hours.
Babies three months or older. If the fever is 101.4, watch how he or she acts. Call your doctor if the fever rises or lasts for more than 3 days.

A Child’s Cold

If a child has a cold, drinking lots of water and/or juice is important to keep the lining of the nose and throat from drying out, then mucus remains easy to clear. The use of a humidifier also helps. Giving cod or Halibut liver oil supplements, chewable Vitamin C, Zinc or Echinacea tablets, all seem to help a child recover more quickly.

The Flu

With flu, it is important to give frequent tiny sips. Too much liquid at once will cause a child to vomit, but if they don’t drink at all, children can become seriously dehydrated. A bottle of “Gatorade” or “Pedialite Popsicles” kept on hand will help bring a child around quickly by restoring their electrolyte balance.

You may cut down the spread of germs (slightly) by wiping toys and game controllers after play and keeping a separate towel in the bathroom for healthy family members.

And most importantly, rest.