To ask for coping tactics - flu!

[incognitoh]

I have flu and am looking after my 18mo solo until Monday. It's killing me.
What can I do (apart from tv) to keep dd occupied while I lie down shivering and moaning???
She's still bf twice a day so hoping that will prevent her getting it but she's going through a clingy stage so I can't easily keep her away. Paranoid she will get it too.
(Background: dh working away and parents on holiday til Monday. Local friends don't have kids yet and don't get it).

I can’t check back in to read this thread because the word ‘flu’ is a dickhead magnet and you will get all kinds of idiots falling over themselves to tell you that if you can pick up a phone you don’t have flu, £50 note bollocks, etc etc etc and I just can’t read that kind of crap anymore.

In practical terms, you have to do what you can to get through and if that means 12 hours of CBeebies a day, do that.

Be prepared for lots of “it can’t possibly be flu if you can type” etc.

Hope you feel better soon! At that age I would say tv & snacks are your best bet (dc3 is same age) Oh and toy boxes emptied.

Yes, if tv gets you both through the day just do it. My child just had the flu and was a feverish little bag of bones on the sofa for a whole week, so you have my sympathies!
Rest is what you need. And plenty of fluids. And cuddles with DD.
Feel better soon x

Being ill with a little one is hell, this wkend will feel the longest of you life.
A day of CBeebies and toys all over the floor is fine, also the easiest food you can give them- and remember this too shall pass. Also once they nap or go to bed, go to sleep yourself, don’t worry about anything additional.

Good point about 'flu' definition. Don't really want to get into that. I've had the sodding vaccine (it failed last year too) but this is not a run of the mill cold as every bone from top to toe aches terribly.
Just after ideas - and thanks to those who sent good wishes already! X

Try to get different toys down for them every couple of hours if you can OP and swap them over. TV on constantly is fine. Just take each hour at a time. I feel awful for you. Plenty of fluids for you too. I had tonsillitis when dc was tiny and it floored me. They were only tiny tho so I put them in front of a black and white movie and they entertained themselves for a bit! It's a hellish situation.

Can you make a thermos flask of tea? Then you can have a hot drink without extra effort. Have things to hand so when you get up make sure you bring things back with you. Hand sanitizer before picking the baby up ect.

You poor thing, I had it in January on my own with a two year old. I doubled up on paracetamol and ibuprofen, wrapped up and had tv on all day. It was hell but it won’t be forever, I felt ill for two weeks but the first 3-4 days were the worst. Monday is only two days away then hopefully your parents can help. Oh and two year old never caught it x

I'd stick my tongue out a bit, get out the dressing gown of doom, maybe a scarf, and use the voice personally

Always seems to get me through my darkest hours

I had flu when my ds was about that age. I just let him do whatever (within reason) and followed him about limply.

I remember him going outside to play so I lay in the grass shivering in my dressing gown. Neighbours were walking by waving a cheery hello to me

I’ve just got over a really nasty bug and I had the tv on all day, got majority of meals delivered and used amazon 2 hr delivery to get new playdough and sticker books. Expensive weekend but we made it.
Day and night nurse are amazing as well if you can get some.
Feel better soon

You poor thing. It is hell being ill with a young one. I downloaded loads of movies for my DS last time I felt like that, and literally just sat and dozed on the sofa. Lots of colouring books and play dough etc on the floor. Don't do any tidying up. Make things easy by having toast, cereal for meals so that you don't have to cook. Dose yourself up on paracetamol and drink lots of tea.
Feel better soon!

I had this recently and had to cope with a few days alone with DS 11 months.

Usually don't like taking too many drugs but you can take ibuprofen & paracetamol alongside each other, and I did. It dulled the aching and shivering/sweating.

Also drove around in the car a fair bit (in my pyjamas and trainers). Lay down on the floor and let him crawl over me. Yes to CBeebies too.
It really annoyed me when my mum said oh it's not flu it's a cold, because otherwise you wouldn't be able to function. Well- I had to function. Those days are a complete blur

Could you bring her into bed with you with some books and toys ? Cuddle up for as long as she lasts. Even stuff on your phone to keep her distracted.

Sticker book is a great idea - I've just ordered one to arrive tomorrow!

Toys, tv and tablet! No shame in it when you are so poorly. Plenty of fluids for you. Hope you're feeling better soon!

Hope you survived the day OP