Holding On For Dear Health

You’ve heard how Jaisa’s cold killed Mom’s run, right?


Well, we moms all know how the rest of the story goes…

One kid gets sick. Then another falls victim. Dad’s hanging by a thread. Mom? She’s the one wiping noses all day and getting globs of snot blown in her face, not to mention goopy saliva coughed into her eyes. She’s also the one who’s been popping the extra vitamins since Day 1, scrubbing down the surfaces with antibacterial wipes, and doing the best she can to get enough sleep so she too doesn’t become a helpless prey to the Monster Virus that could rip the entire family to shreds.

Let’s face it folks, if Mom goes down, the entire family is screwed. But let’s get realistic too….when Mom goes down, dishes still need to get washed, laundry still needs to get done, meals still need to get made, and butts still need to get wiped. (This is not a slam on my husband because he DOES step up to the plate whenever he's called to duty.) But sick or not, Mom’s NEVER done. Which is why I apply my protective force field as soon as that first sneeze is sprayed… metaphorically speaking. (I'll talk more about my personal "tricks of the trade" in the days ahead.) Supermom does not go down without a fight!

I do have to give my kids a pat on the back. Sickness in our house usually starts earlier. One step inside daycare usually did the trick. But now that both girls are a little older, their immune systems are building up more defenses to all the crud out there. Thank goodness! Fall is my favorite time of year… until we get slapped in the face with reminders that cold and flu season is on its way.

In the beginning…
I remember all too well that one of the most difficult things I endured during both of my girls’ first years – aside from getting them to nurse, learning how to perfect the swaddle, soothing their evening crying spells and weaning the 2 am feedings – was trying to keep Ella and Jaisa healthy.

Like it or not, during Year One kids get exposed to pretty much everything (especially in daycare), which may be a blessing, as long as they don’t actually come down with everything. After Ella’s first year, she seemed to get sick a lot less often. I’m hoping the same will hold true for Jaisa. One thing I did when Ella got a little older was try some natural remedies to help alleviate symptoms, with my pediatrician’s approval of course. Mother Nature has some wicked immune-supportive tricks up her sleeve!

The bee’s knees for coughs
If you haven’t yet thanked your neighborhood bees, it’s time to sing their praises. It’s not just for tea, moms, honey helps relieve a cough too! With the ban on all cough and cold medicines for children under 6, this alternative has proven to be a safe natural remedy and our ticket to sleep-filled nights during times of sickness. Honey has amazing anti-bacterial properties and is a rich source of antioxidants that are beneficial for healing. When Ella can’t sleep without a hearty coughing spell, I give her a half teaspoon of honey to help coat and soothe the throat and quiet the cough. Ahhh…silence is bliss, especially at 3 am. [Moms, remember, never give honey to children under age 1 for fear of infant botulism.]

Last season with Jaisa was a little different. I couldn’t try honey yet and she wasn’t old enough for herbal formulas either (as advised by her pediatrician). So I relied heavily on a cool mist humidifier, a wedge to incline her mattress a bit, some chest rub to loosen up congestion (there are some good homeopathic options out there), and the aspirator to suck the gunk. She loved it. And if you believe that, you obviously have never tried it on your child. Consider yourself warned. Still, I consider it a necessary evil.

Kids bugging you? Bug them back!
I take a probiotic supplement on a daily basis for healthy digestion, but I first discovered the power of these good bacteria for children when Ella had a bout of diarrhea. After reading about the “wonder bugs” and their ability to improve digestion even in infants, I mixed a kid-friendly probiotic blend in with Ella’s yogurt or applesauce and sure enough, it eased her diarrhea.

A little common sense
Common sense applies to kids just as much as it applies to adults. I remind Ella to wash her hands after using the bathroom and before eating, and to cough and sneeze into her sleeve, not her hand. I have a pretty good idea of where that hand goes throughout the day and as few germs that can get from there to her mouth (or to me), the better. I also try to keep the girls away from each other as much as possible when one of them is sick. It’s not like I quarantine them or anything. Basically it means, “Ella, don’t let Jaisa put her hands in your mouth… and Ella, stay out of hers, for crying out loud!”

Laughter is the best medicine
Don’t forget a little TLC and a tickle goes a long way. Hugs can be just what the doctor ordered. By maintaining a positive, fun-loving environment for your child, a sniffle or two won’t stand in the way of laughter and a smile.

Stay tuned because I’ll talk more about how I try to stay healthy this time of year in an upcoming post.

Got a natural remedy that works for your child? I’d love to hear about it.