Caring for unwell toddler TIPS AND HELP

[areandare]

I have been so unwell since Monday with flu like symptoms. It started with a tight chest, cough, headache and aches and pains in joints. I feel a lot better from Monday but am now just left with a normal cold and headache.

Me and my partner have both been struck with this but have been so lucky that our parents have been able to help a lot with our 14 month old while we’ve been unwell.

However, last night he woke in the middle of the night with a temp of 39.1 degrees and was so uncomfortable and unsettled all night. Calpol has been bringing his temp down and he has been eating and drinking and wet nappy’s as normal.

I was up from 1am with him last night because he wanted to be cuddled, he would not sleep by himself bless him.

I am just looking for tips and advice on getting through this spell. We have been VERY lucky that he hasn’t really been unwell up until now, he’s had the odd cough and slightly raised temp but nothing like this. Advice and tips welcome please - I’m usually a worrier but am trying to be positive!

I’ve look at the NHS for guidance on their website loads of information. You may get outdated advice on here x

@cannynotsay thank you 🥰 I’ve looked on NHS website. I’m not looking for medical advice just general advice on dealing with the little ones when they’re unwell. You just feel so helpless don’t you x

oh I’ve been there, break the rules, eat what’s what’s drink what’s need and screen time. Is what we did when we have Covid!

Nothing you can do beyond calpol, some of those Olbas drops arouns his crib, possibly a dehumidifier. You and DH need to take shifts holding him.

It will happen again and again for the next year and you will get very little sleep each time. Ages 1 -2.5 are horrendous for illnesses.

Let them nap more than normal if needed, consider giving ibuprofen as well as Calpol (you can message your GP for advice on this if your GP surgery does this - mine will give advice over the phone). Look up NHS red flags. Cuddle them. Settle in for some quiet days at home if you can.

My little one perks up as soon as the Calpol kicks in and wants to go to the park, so that's what we do when their in the mood! They usually tire quicker when ill, so I keep trips close to home (garden centre, park, woodland).

Thank you all for the advice. I have another dilemma now..

He hasn’t had a high temperature since last night. After his bath this evening his skin looked a little mottled and his lips looked ever so slightly blue to me (my partner said they were fine) and he was shivering. His bedroom was cold so put the heating on, warmed him up and pjs on and he returned to normal colour. He perked up after this and spent the evening playing and babbling before bed.

Everything I’ve read online tells me to take him to A&E. That feels ridiculous when his skin has gone back to normal now, he doesn’t have a temp and he’s been acting otherwise himself?

Sounds like he was just cold? I'm in London and today has been much, much colder than previous days.

If he's gone back to normal then yes it was probably just being cold after the bath (was he in for a while and bath water got cold?) but I'd keep a close eye on him.

Also sleep with him so you can keep an eye, get him upright quickly if he's coughing a lot etc. Look up about safe co sleeping if you don't know about it.

If he's coughing a lot I'd keep a sick bowl by the bed just in case, it can make them spew 🤢

Let him nap in the day whenever he wants to. Would avoid too much/any screen time as it was would hurt his head/eyes (though I've just noticed he's 14 months so too young anyway but I wouldn't start him on it just to get through illness as that opens up that whole "screen" can of worms).

You don't need to keep him dosed up with Calpol necessarily, it can mess with their stomachs, just as and when he actually needs it. Lots of water!

Good luck 🤞