How do mums cope with sickness bugs in their household ?

[Peachki]

So I’m just looking for some advice from parents on how you manage sick bugs in your house and what your thought processes are when your child has the dreaded sick bug? Do you just think ahh that’s fine unphased or does it really bother you?

I am 5 months pregnant and suffer with emetophobia (fear of sickness). I’m worried this fear might affect my ability to be a mum. My fear is mainly of being around people who are sick because of the anxious wait of not knowing when I might catch the illness. Im fine with it until someone i know catches a sick bug then I lose all my rational brain cells. My niece is sick right now which is actually what’s triggered me posting this.

im part of an emetophobia group on fb but didn’t want to post their as everyone shares the same fear so would quite like some advice from people who don’t fear it so much so it’s not so doom and gloom

As a mum to 3 x kids who are currently in the midst of a sickness bug outbreak in our house… you don’t have time to think about it! It all happens so fast, you’re more concerned if DC is ok and trying to salvage the carpets etc. Towels and buckets are your best friend!

I’ll be honest and say the worst bit is when either you or DH/DP get it, whilst trying to look after the kids, when all you want to do is sleep it off in bed / hug the loo.

Oh, and antibacterial wipe / spray every surface after each toilet visit. Everyone wash their hands!!

We definitely have a dedicated sick bowl.
Despite cleaning every touch point after an episode, unfortunately I always caught every bug my dc's got.
I understand the fear of waiting to catch it. I would assess everything I ate if they were ill for how it would taste coming back up. Grim I know!
I've never classed myself as an emetophobe however I was always so anxious when a sickness bug was going round in case it was brought home.
You do, as a pp said, just deal with it when it's your own child and it actually happens though.

Top tip: if you have an IKEA nearby, they have silicone folding bowls designed for cleaning. They make great sick bowls as they fold down, easy to stash several around the place, they don't take up as much space as a big plastic bowl. https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/pepprig-wash-tub-foldable-yellow-60567721/

Babies will spit-up a lot so perhaps by the time you've worked through that phase, and then the putting food in their mouth chewing it up and spitting it out or gagging on things when weaning phases, it could all help you adapt to cope with bigger spit-ups/gagging which is all vomit is really.

I’m an emetophobe so not sure I’m best to answer your question but I am a mum of 2 who has dealt with sicky children over the years (mainly by myself as husband works away a lot)

I know it sounds ridiculous but I used towels, I use the towel for them to be sick in, then I fold it up and put it in the bin outside. Massive waste of money I know however the thought of a sick bowl and having to clean that out makes me want to vomit! also make sure there is plenty hand washing and try to restrict the child to a certain room.

I’m really lucky my children have only had a handful of bugs their entire lives and I’ve only caught it from them once and it was my own fault for not being hygienic (washing my hands properly)

The smell of vomit usually makes me gag but I'm fine (if not overjoyed ) when it's my DC. Just one of those things you do because you have no choice.

Both of mine were able to use a basin or the loo from around 2.5 maybe - one of the most important parenting milestones no one tells you about!

It tends to be an all hands on deck scenario, luckily we haven't had to deal solo too often if at all. Usually I end up comforting the sick DC while DH draws short straw and does clean up.

But honestly, it will be fine. Gross though vomit is, you'll be more concerned with comforting your DC.

I have a bowl and a couple of old towels to hand. To be fair, I can count on one hand the amount of times my kids have had sick bugs and they are 25 and 13. If it looks like sick might be a possibility, I encourage lurking near the bathroom. It's really important to teach good hygiene at an early age with regular handwashing as that definitely keeps infection down. Also Dettol spray in the house for high traffic areas such as door handles, bannisters.

What got me over my sick phobia was my youngest being diagnosed with ASD and sensory processing disorder. He could throw up at the slightest smell that disagreed with him. Usually when we were out of the house. My favourite was the milk aisle in Tesco. That was fun. He's much better now fortunately and is able to remove himself. I think you do just get past it as a parent. I never imagined I'd be able to deal with these things but you just do 🤷🏻‍♀️

To be honest my kids are 10 and 12 - and only once has one of them been properly sick.
I was sick during pregnancy but kids really aren't sicky, not all children are.