Comments on: Coping with sick multiples

By: The Green Witch

The Green Witch — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 13:48:54 +0000

Olbas oil is excellent – and seems to last longer than Vicks. A drop on a tissue tucked into the sheet or pillow, or even on the shoulder seam of pyjamas or a sleepsuit, is excellent for keeping the nose clear.

Elevate the head of the cot / bed by a couple of inches using paperbacks to keep the draining of mucus going.

In Britain we are able to get infant paracetamol suspension which, used carefully, will alleviate cold secondary symptoms and feverishness, plus acting as a gentle sleep aid. Not something to use every day, but it can get them over the worst. Particularly if you have two to manage.

Dioralyte rehydration salts plus rice flour is an excellent rehydrant for post sicky / squitty episodes and helps to settle and calm the stomach.

I don’t like drugs used on children over-much, but if you’re at your wit’s end these may help!

Blessings.

By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 13:43:06 +0000

Sick babies are the worst!! I always let mine sleep wherever—the swing works? Fine! Who cares. And, infant Tylenol—a godsend.

By: Anna

Anna — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 07:51:30 +0000

Oh, this was perfect timing all 3 of my girls are just now finally over their “BUG”, unfortunately my biggest baby aka Daddy just caugth the bug. “Sorry honey mommy is done dealing with sickness, you’re on your own. I love you but that’s where it ends.”

By: Sadia

Sadia — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 04:53:55 +0000

I hope your little one feels better!

Taking turns wasn’t an option for us when my girls had RSV last winter. (My husband was in Iraq.) My neighbours are always willing to help, but the last thing I wanted to do was expose their toddlers to the virus.

My saving grace was just holding my daughters. It comforted them, and feeling them breathe, even with all the wheezing, reminded me why I was going 2 weeks on so little sleep.

Having a pediatrician who I trust and always goes the extra mile was also indispensable. It’s worth shopping around for a great doctor; when your little ones are sick, “good” just doesn’t cut it. I’ve also found that a doctor’s office that’s used to dealing with multiples is a huge asset. Most of my Mom of Multiples group uses the same pedi because
1) Every single staff member learns to tell multiples apart on Day 1 (and I mean literally, Day 1!).
2) One of the nurses is always by to offer an extra pair of arms or distraction.
3) The doctors know to let both (or all) of the kids know what’s going on with their sibling in terms they understand.
4) They have Saturday hours.
5) Their after-hours phone service is exemplary.
6) They always make sibling appointments back to back with the same doctor.
7) They have experience with preemies.

By: soralis

soralis — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 04:18:13 +0000

I love the vics plug-ins!

My kids like to get sick one after the other and it is always in the same order. The barfy one always gets sick 2nd for some reason.

By: twinmom122606

twinmom122606 — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 03:08:28 +0000

I live by vicks baby rub. Put it on their chest, back, feet(not sure this works, but it’s worth a try), and a dab on the nose. I also found the vicks plug in’s or the new cool battery operated ones that blow vicks through out the room are AWESOME! I live by those. I’ve probably gone through cases of the AAA batteries for the darn thing…but it’s worth the money. We use a cool mist humidifier…my dr. always said a warm one is bad…but i think it all depends on where you live. Also, NO MILK, while a child is sick…makes for some NASTY smelly vomit and it truly upsets their stomachs. I cut off the twins and give them soy milk instead. My 4 year old is a BIG puker…the minute she gets a cough she pukes…i make sure to prop her up and lay beach towels underneath for easy cleaning.

Also, if they get a virus and can’t keep anything down..only use tiny bits of water every 10-15 minutes. Don’t let them drink too much at once.

By: Missy

Missy — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 00:33:42 +0000

Great tips – I was just dealing with 2 sick kids! Great advice!

By: Betsy

Betsy — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 19:08:14 +0000

I throw out all hopes of balanced meals when my kids have colds or are vomiting (or both). We eat lots and lots and lots of dry cereal, drink lots of fluids–whatever they’ll take and get down, and have random meal/snack times. I also turn on a big box fan during naptime and hope that one of the three (twins and a slightly older sibling) will get some rest during naptime if the other(s) wake up and fuss.

By: Goddess in Progress

Goddess in Progress — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 17:42:50 +0000

Oh, how timely! Both of my kids are getting over some virus right now. Both crabby, sore throats mean mealtimes are tricky, and they’re both screaming instead of napping right now. Between that and everything else that’s been going on in our household, today’s coping strategy is to put them upstairs for their nap and turn off my monitor. I know they’re fine, and the screaming is making me batty, so that’s for today.

Oh, wait, that has nothing to do with making my kids feel better. Shoot. Poor kiddos…