The Sick Kid Arsenal: What You Need to Be Ready When Germs Strike

We’re well into April and it is SNOWING as I’m writing this. What is happening? No wonder I have a cold and sickness is running through my kids’ schools without end.  Germs are basically everywhere and despite the number of times you tell your kids to get their hands out of their mouths (tell me I’m not alone with this struggle), they’re going to get sick. And it’s never going to happen at a good time.

So be ready, have the basics on hand to survive the sickness that will surely come your way. I’ve partnered with Pfizer for this sponsored post to share with you what tools I keep in my arsenal to get the family through whatever germs we manage bring home.

 

Care

First things first: provide your kids with the care they need to recover. Take temperatures, get to the doctor if needed, and if they have fevers, coughs and colds, treat those things. Dealing with the symptoms so your kids can actually rest and get better is top priority. 

Keep the necessities on hand in your medicine cabinet. The Pfizer Pediatric line has worked SO well for us. I’m personally a fan of how well Robitussin® and Advil® work for me as an adult, so these are names I trust for my kids too. 

For fevers, aches, and pains:

Children’s Advil® is available for kids as young as 2 and up to 11. My kids appreciate that it comes in several flavors, including: Sugar-free Dye-free Berry, Bubble Gum, Grape, Blue Raspberry, Fruit and Dye-Free White Grape flavors. There’s also Infants’ Advil® White Grape, which provides unsurpassed fever relief with a syringe for easy dosing for children 6-23 months. This is a must because ear infections strike in the middle of the night. Every time. This is my experience anyway.

For coughs and colds: 

Formulated just for kids, Children’s Robitussin® DM Day/Night Pack (Children’s Robitussin® Cough & Chest Congestion and Children’s Robitussin® Nighttime Cough) non-drowsy daytime formula helps break up chest congestion, while the long-acting nighttime formula relieves coughs and runny noses to help kids get the rest they need. The nighttime coughs are the WORST, keeping the entire family awake, so I really like this Nighttime Cough product.

Children’s Dimetapp® Cold & Cough is perfect when kids have a runny, stuffy nose, too and also tackles that cough.

*It is important to remember to always read and keep the cartons for complete warnings and dosing information on Pfizer Pediatric Platform products and to use as directed

Not sure what the right medicine is for your child? The Sick Just Got Real website is an easy-to-use resource to help you narrow down symptoms and treat them. They have a Facebook page with more resources for parents, too. And if you’re like me and aren’t fond of the idea of dragging a sick kiddo around to different stores to get your necessities, get it all in one place. Target is my go-to for almost everything (I was just there last night!) and they carry the full line of Pfizer Pediatrics.

Comfort

In this house, comfort when you’re sick means a cozy blanket on the couch with a warm dog cuddled up next to you. Get the kids in their jammies, warm socks to keep the feet toasty, and set them up with a little table of the essentials.

Ice chips are the key to getting fluids in a child that won’t or can’t drink much (or keep it down). From there, Saltine crackers and soup are next up on the road to recovery. Keep tissues AND a trash can nearby so your sicky isn’t throwing dirty tissues all over the floor for someone else (ahem, YOU) to have to pick up.

Distraction

Finally, after your done your best to  manage their symptoms and their comfort, distract them from what ails them. Movie marathons are part of what the doctor/mommy ordered in my family. We’ve had Star Wars marathons that last for hooours and by the time they’re over, guess who is feeling like getting up off that couch and becoming human again? And of course sleep is always a smart way to pass the hours of illness. It might be the best medicine out there, too.

Here’s hoping your family stays well this spring and beyond, and if they DO bring home germs, that you’re well-prepared to handle them.

Giveaway

The generous folks at Pfizer have provided information to share on their products and they’re also offering prizing of a Pfizer Pediatrics Platform Bundle to one of my readers! This giveaway is open to US residents ages 18+ and will end at 11:59pm ET on April 18, 2016.

Good luck, and stay well!