Dealing with Kids and Colds #VicksTricks

This is the time of year when colds and coughs are at their worst and few homes escape the effect of flu season. As parents, taking care of a poorly child can be quite stressful as we deal with our little ones' runny noses, fevers, sneezing, coughing and disturbed sleep. If you are anything like me, then you will have a medicine cabinet stocked with kids' paracetamol, Vicks Vaporub and First Defence spray, a thermometer, throat sweets, multi-vitamins, echinacea drops and cough medicines - just in case! But medicines are just a small part of nursing a child who doesn't feel well.

Children need to get plenty of rest when they are unwell, and often need to be gently entertained and soothed when not asleep. Lots of TLC and cuddles help poorly children feel better, as parental care and concern can be a powerful antidote to feeling unwell. I have spent many days sat on the sofa snuggling my children when they have felt poorly, stroking their little heads and holding their little hands. Housework can wait when there is a sick child that needs my attention.

A cuddly toy or snuggly hot water bottle can make perfect comforters. A favourite book or DVD can be a great way to relax a little one and offer a distraction to their symptoms. 75% of parents, according to Vicks consumer research, put on a favourite TV show or film while 27% read a story to their child when they feel poorly. Some parents get more creative with 8% telling jokes and 2% turning to magic tricks, like this Vick Tricks magic coin trick! Laughter can be the perfect medicine.

       


During flu season, I always try to make sure that Freddy eats plenty of fruit and vegetables, drinks a glass of orange juice a day and takes multi-vitamins to keep his immune system boosted. I encourage him to wash his hands to keep them germ free and if he does get the sniffles, the use of tissues is actively encouraged!

My favourite tip for when a cold strikes is to give children a nice, warm bath. The steamy room helps with congestion and a bath relaxes them ready for sleep. When I was a little girl, my parents were big believers in 'feeding a cold' and we were always given plenty of our favourite food to give us the strength to fight the virus.  I don't know if that really worked, but a tasty treat makes you feel better, calories give you much needed energy and the action of chewing definitely helps clear your head. So if my little ones feel like eating, I'm happy to indulge them!

VapoRub was a product my mum always used on us, smothering our chests in it before bedtime if we had a cold. The smell of it has such an evocative scent. It is a product I have used on all my children over the past 28 years and is a must have in our household. Freddy likes to sniff it straight from the pot if his nose is blocked.

Getting children back on their feet and feeling better can take time, but with love, care and a few tricks up your sleeve, they will be running around and back to their usual selves soon enough.


This post is an entry for the #VicksTricks campaign.

All I Want For Christmas....

I'm not sure I can remember the last day when one of my family has not been blighted by germs.  For weeks on end, the coughs, splutters, runny noses and sore throats have been passed from person to person in a never ending pathological cycle.

Freddy has had croup which was terrifying.  The rasping bark was absolutely awful, but thankfully it was over quite quickly to be followed by a streaming cold.  The sneezes, the snot and the runny eyes have become the norm for my poor little fella, who bravely fights it off retaining his sense of humour and his cheeky smile throughout.

My oldest son Joe has had a bad run of it too. A sore throat lead to a chest infection which, after causing a whole array of lumpy lymph nodes to pop out of his neck, caused him to seek medical help.  The Penicillin that was prescribed worked initially, but a few days later poor Joe started to swell up with hot, lumpy skin.  An emergency visit to the doctor confirmed that he was having an allergic reaction to the medicine.  My poor boy's Facebook Status read:

"What's big, man shaped and covered in red lumps head to toe? Yay go me!"

My poor husband is not getting away from all the ill health worries either.  He has been having a long term health issue which although was not as sinister as we first feared, is proving to be a continual worry.  Hospital appointments continue as they try to diagnose his problem and the doctors are not holding back when they talk about potential problems if they don't resolve it.  He has some invasive tests coming up and I hope with all my heart they get to the bottom of it all.


The girls are all having their share of germs and whatnot too.  Megan is asthmatic and her condition has been getting worse.  It was only when she re-arranged her room in her shared house at university that she discovered a possible cause of her worsening chest condition.  Behind her bed was thick black mould spewing spores into the air right next to her head as she slept.  Luckily with some bleach, a heater and some good ventilation her room was cleaned up and we're hoping the asthma will improve.


As for me, I haven't slept through the night for over three weeks with poorly children to contend with.  I'm coughing and have a sore throat but I don't have the luxury to indulge my poorliness.  But that it a parents' lot, to put their bugs on hold while they deal with everyone elses'!


So this year, all I want for Christmas is five healthy kids and a healthy husband so we can enjoy our family time together!  Failing that, a supply of Calpol, Covonia and Ibuprofen will do the trick!

Keep Your Kids Well this Winter

During the cold winter months, our children’s immune systems need to stay strong to fight off the millions of bacteria and viruses they come into contact with at school.  


There are a number of products on the market that will help protect our children naturally.  Here are two child friendly products that will be useful, natural, kid friendly additions to the medicine cabinet this winter!

Comvita® Children’s Natural Lemon & Honey Lollipops combine the antiseptic power of bee propolis with the sweet soothing antibacterial nature of Manuka Honey UMF 10+ in a fun and enjoyable form. Lemon is added for flavour whilst zingy menthol and natural peppermint oil work hard to unblock a stuffy nose. (£4.99 for 10)

Please note: bee propolis can cause allergic reactions. If irritation or swelling of the mouth or throat occurs, discontinue use.

Available from Boots, Holland & Barrett and all good pharmacies and health food stores.  Always read the label carefully before use. For further information visit www.comvita.co.uk.

Sambucol for Kids plus Vitamin C is a great tasting high quality Black Elderberry extract to boost the immune system and fight off infectious viruses. Containing no artificial colours or flavours, the syrup is suitable for 1-12 years olds to help keep the little ones healthy during the winter. It’s also alcohol free, gluten free and non-drowsy. 

Available from Boots, Superdrug, Holland & Barrett and all good pharmacies and health stores. Visit www.Sambucol.com for further information or to buy online.

I've been sent a pack of each to try out with my children.  I love the idea that they are natural and help to boost the immune system and fight germs without resorting to using chemical based medicines which are full of artificial flavourings, colourings and sweeteners.  The natural flavours of both products are very palatable.  The lollipop idea is great.  Kids love lollies...they won't need much encouragement to eat one, and it is a bonus that is doing them good.  They have a mild menthol taste which Kizzy enjoyed.  They soothed her throat nicely!

I will be interested to see if my children manage to dodge the bug bullets this winter.  Taking the supplements will definitely not do any harm so it's definitely worth investing in a little bit of extra protection over the coming months!