How did you look after your babies and toddlers while you had covid?

[Mybobowler]

The whole family has tested positive - husband, me (both triple jabbed), plus our 3 year old and 14 week old.

I'm starting to feel quite unwell now and I'm panicking about how to manage both kids if we're flattened by it. Any advice? Eldest was the one who brought it home and she seems over the worst. The baby is tricky at the best of times - only naps in the sling and a nightmare to get down at night. He sleeps fairly well but I'm breastfeeding, so up twice overnight and can't get husband to help.

Hopefully it'll be mild but I'm feeling grotty and starting to get really worried about how we'll get through the next week or so!

I don’t have any experience of looking after kids with Covid sorry, but have recently recovered from a bout of it

I didn’t have to be ill in bed but was v low energy (mostly sitting on the sofa). I suggest you and your DH take turns with the baby, and rest when not doing that

Can you get any help with your 3 year old from friends/family who have v recently had Covid? Keep testing her and with luck she will be able to go back to her usual routine on day 7. This week is sunny so if you have a garden perhaps you could encourage outdoor play to use up her energy

You will probably have to rely on lots of TV unfortunately. Also can you order some really easy food & lots of snacks so that you don’t have to exert a lot of energy on cooking?

Lower your standards to the floor re housework, bathing kids etc

Forgot to say; good luck, you will get through it but I understand it’s tough with children this age. Try to rest as much as possible which I understand is not easy if you are breastfeeding

You poor thing! When I had covid I gave it to my then 10 month old DD, DH didn’t catch it and he works nights so I was alone with her when she was poorly every night for a week. I found the calpol plug in was useful to keep her nose not so stuffed up as that was the main reason she couldn’t sleep. I really do feel for you having two DC to look after though! If your DH is feeling ok then try and get some naps when he’s able to take over! I appreciate that’s hard when breastfeeding a tiny one however! Hope it passes quickly for you all.

Thanks everyone! Trying to remind myself that we'll muddle through.

@BeanStew22 I'm sorry you've been ill! How long were you unwell for? I'll do my best to take it easy. Our 3yo is usually pretty content to hang out in front of the TV, but she's full of cabin fever after being stuck inside all weekend. I'll try to make the most of the garden!

My husband works from home and has a very understanding team. He'll be working flexibly while we're both feeling OK, but luckily there's no problem with him taking time off.

I'm not sure we know anyone who's recently recovered and would be prepared to take the older one if we both get really unwell. Our neighbours had it in January, but I'm not sure they'd want to run the risk of getting it again.

We've had a food shop done for us this evening and we've stocked up on snacks and paracetamol. Just hauled myself into bed, feeling a bit nervous to see what state I'm in tomorrow. Fingers crossed it doesn't get much worse than this - just feeling coldy now!

By letting none important things drop and doing the bare minimum. It passes.

3 year old - TV, Amazon kids apps, running around the garden while we watch. New toys (next day delivery helpful), stickers, drawing, playdough, add biscuit decoration kits to your shop and do that...

Baby, just take turns, let them lie on you and feed while you watch TV.

If you don't have all the streaming services pick up a new one for a month, Disney plus was a big help and we bought a new series of paw patrol as well.

I have it atm and have my 11 month old at home. It's so bloody hard! She's bf and we cosleep for naps but my coughing kept waking her up! Husband works out of the house from half 7 til 5. I count down the minutes 🙈
I'm also 7 weeks pregnant so not sure if I feel worse because of that.
I'm on day 5 now and feeling much better but I'm surprised at how much its knocked me. Take it easy and just do what you have to for an easy life! Especially with 2 - I feel for you. Hope you're all better soon.

Get in bed together with the telly and iPad and some toys on the floor. Baby gate on the door and you can basically ignore the kids and even go to sleep, they’ll just potter round the bedroom. Order microwave dinners and snack foods. If necessary parents can take turns to go and rest in another room.

We have a 2 year old and 6 month old. Dh came down harder first so I juggled both kids (am breastfeeding). I stayed in dc1 room with dc2 so I could handle night waking without physically getting up! I've now succumbed to harsher symptoms and am sucking up caring for baby and dh is taking lead with 2 year old.
It's been a lot of iPad/tv time and I've been laying on floor a lot with baby. Feels a lot like third trimester tiredness I had when pregnant with dc2!

It's really tough. Wishing you a speedy recovery!

Can your DH takes DC out for a walk if he’s feeling up to it, just avoid anyone he meets by crossing the road.