What do you do when your toddler starts getting ill

[WhosBob]

Since starting nursery, my toddler seems to be getting ill every 2-3 weeks. We can almost predict when he's next going to come down with something. I wanted to ask for any tips or remedies you have for when your toddler starts to show signs of getting ill? Anything that will reduce the discomfort and help them sleep better?

Its painful but after a while their immune system gets much stronger. Nursery is basically a germ fest though and you end up taking loads of time off when DC are full of coughs and colds.

Assume you're already giving DC a multivitamin, and that they are able to wash their own hands or that you supervise handwashing before eating? Beyond that just try to teach DC not to touch random stuff but its an unfortunate phase all kids at nursery go through.

You pay the price now so that when they start school they've built up a good immune system.

As a single parent I made practical preparation, made sure I had enough medication in and food supplies for a week. Made sure spare duvets were made up so they could be grabbed in the middle of the night and that I had cat litter to sprinkle on any body fluids so vomit etc was easier to clean up.

The calpol plug in used to be good. Lots of cuddles on the sofa. Easy meals for me if I couldn't leave DD long. Windows open to air the place, multivitamins, made sure to include your regularly after doses after antibiotics.

A pro biotic after a stomach upset or course if antibiotics. I got a sachet one from Superdrug (optibac?) and added to milk.

calpol plugs good but refills get expensive so we have a diffuser spa thing for £25 off Amazon that I put eucalyptus and lavender oil into.

sea Salt nasal spray for a congestion clearing quick fix. Saline solution and a bit of honey and a soaked cotton woo pad for each eye when they’re gunky or have conjunctivitis.

The first 6 months at nursery we're back to back illnesses for us. It didn't help that it was winter. Constant trips to the GP for antibiotics. What I found helped:

• calpol pluggins
• calpol paracetamol / neurofen ibuprofen with breakfast before nursery and last thing at night when we suspected another bug was taking hold
• cotton hankie under their pillow at night so they can wipe their nose before they get distressed, cry and wake themselves and you up
• a Freda baby snot sucker (absolutely awesome)
• multivitamin (usually in milk or porridge)
• omega 3 supplement (Bare Biology ones are great albeit pricey)
• lots and lots of water
• longer naps at weekends to recuperate

HTH

Please don’t give calpol in the morning because nursery as a PP says. It’ll mask illness and it’s not bloody fair on your child or the staff at nursery, it’s just a way to get a sick child through the door and go.

Some good tips here - thank you. Have bought more refills for the plug in, hoping it'll help tonight

Maybe keep a note of when illnesses start and stop, so if you need to make a case to the GP for antibiotics you can show that e.g they’ve not shaken a cough in between bouts of cold

I know what's fair for my child thanks @Skinnermarink