How To Deal With A Poorly Child

It's a fact of life that children get poorly and if you have them in a nursery or daycare it may happen a little more often as illnesses are easily passed in children with their little immune system. 

We were quite lucky with Calleigh as she didn't get her first illness until she was over a year old. It was a bad one and it broke my heart to see her so ill knowing there was nothing I could really do to make it go away, I just had to let it run it's course. But that doesn't mean there aren't ways to make them feel better or more comfortable. 

Most illnesses can be dealt with at home and a trip to the doctors isn't always necessary but there are times when you should definitely consider taking them to see a doctor. Such things are: An unusual rash, high pitched crying, a stiff neck, difficulty breathing, if your child is very sleepy, a high temperature (above 37.5) or if your child refuses fluids. Calleigh has been to the doctors a few times due to illness. One time she was coughing so much she had trouble breathing and the other (more recent) time she had a really high temperature accompanied by constant crying and stiff body movements. 

Here are some of the best ways I have found to help a child deal with the pain of being ill:

1. Never underestimate the power of children's medicine- When a illness gets really bad, it's important to give your child a little something to help deal with the pain. I find that a dose of Calpol (or Motrin or children's Ibuprofen) works wonders. The last time I remember giving Calleigh a dose of medicine it worked that well that within half an hour she was running around like a mad woman as if nothing was wrong. Always check the dosing chart and never give more than recommended on the packet. Also check that it's okay to use with anything that may have been prescribed by your doctor. If ever in doubt ask a doctor. 
2. Keeping their temperature down- A high temperature is extremely uncomfortable. When your child is experiencing a high temperature it's important to try and keep it down. Try light fitting clothing or even just in a nappy for a while. Cold cloths on the forehead also work really well. 
3. Make sure they drink plenty of water- Very important this one. Fluids are very important!
4. Give them their favourite foods- I find that when Calleigh is poorly she doesn't really want to eat and when she does she doesn't eat much at all. I always try to give her little portions of her favourite meals to keep her happy. 
5. Let them have plenty of rest- When Calleigh is ill I like to let her have as much sleep as possible. When she is well rested I notice that she is much more able to deal with the illness and in a much better mood. 
6. Try to make them laugh- I know it may seem that the last thing you want when you are ill is someone trying to make you laugh. But with Calleigh I find it lifts her mood loads and makes her much happier. Pulling funny faces, tickling her and generally just being an idiot always makes Calleigh laugh even when she is feeling her worst.

These are a few of the things I find helpful to me when Calleigh is poorly. Like I said there is nothing worse than feeling so helpless when they are ill. So doing these little things will make you feel much better. 

Calleigh chilling out in the spare bedroom 

Poorly Again

Poor little Calleigh is really not having a good time at the moment. After just getting over a cold a couple of weeks ago she has now been struck down by a suspected throat infection. 

It all started last night, about midnight she just burst out crying and screaming. Nothing we tried seemed to comfort her and although she tried, she just wouldn't go back to sleep. We brought her into our bed and took her temperature. At the time it wasn't high even though it felt like you could fry and egg on her forehead. We stripped off her clothes to provide some relief but it didn't seem to make a difference as she kept wincing and looking around the room in fear. 

As a last resort we contacted the emergency helpline who seemed to think it could of been an ear infection and we were told to take her to the emergency room as this had been going on for a couple of hours. 

As we searched for the nearest one to us she fell asleep so we decided to leave her to sleep and see if she was any better in the morning. 

She slept through until about 8am but when she woke not much had changed, she still had a temperature and did not look very well at all. 

I booked into the doctors and an hour later we were sat in the doctors room whilst he did some tests to see if he could find our what was wrong. 

It wasn't an ear infection, or a strep infection but from the look of her throat he told us it was definitely some infection of the throat and prescribed her some antibiotics to fight the infection and ibuprofen to relieve the fever. 

The only place she would have a nap

She has perked up a bit now and is looking much better but the real test will be at bedtime. Here's hoping she has a good night, for her sake and ours. 

Whilst at the surgery I found a leaflet about a handy little app for keeping track of your little ones health and well-being. It called Kid's Wellness and is free to download in the App Store. 

I have used it track what immunisations she has had and also to note what symptoms she is having and what medication she is currently taking. 

You can also use it to track height, weight and bmi and it shows a chart so you can make sure they are on the right track. 

What a Week!

If you're wondering why you've not heard much from us this past week it's because both Calleigh and I have been struck down with an awful cold. 

It got Calleigh Thursday of last week, It started off as just a chesty cough but she woke up almost every hour that night crying and when morning came and we went to get her up she had red eyes, a red runny nose and was full of it. She looked so poorly bless her. At her worst she spent pretty much the whole day crying unable to calm herself. The only time she stopped was when I manged to settle her down for a nap. 

It really was a challenge for us. 

It made us realise how much we miss having family around us to help out.

I have spent the most part of the last week cleaning up snot from around the house, I cannot explain how much there was. The pillows, the carpet, the floor, the bed, her toys, the TV, there was not a place untouched that I didn't have to scrub clean. 

And as fate would have it I woke up on Friday morning feeling the worst I have felt in a long time. I literally struggled to get myself out of bed at all that day. 

The first thing I did was hobble over to Paul, dizzy and weak, and with tears in my eyes proclaimed how poorly I was and that I needed him to take the day off work to help with Calleigh. 

His response- he said "aww" and then rolled over and went back to sleep. My dear husband is many things, sympathetic not being one of them. Although I don't blame him, when he is ill I tell him to man up and get on with it. 

I sent him out to get me some supplies for the day: strong flu tablets, chicken soup and juice with added vitamin C and spent the day in bed. 

Luckily it seemed to do the trick and I am feeling much better today, just a sore throat to battle with, but nothing that will keep me bed bound. 

I have so much to catch up on now so look forward to Lot's of new posts including how Calleigh is doing at daycare and a recipe for my yummy homemade scones (which Calleigh absolutely loves).