The past few days were all about tiredness/fatigue, and the strain is taking its toll on me. The nasty cold bug decided to pay my LO a 'visit', and on top of that, she is having on and off fever from the pneumococcus jab. Based on survey (own survey on those around me :P), caring for sick children, especially babies and toddlers, proved to be one of the biggest nightmares for every parent.
I never would have guessed how much of parenting is devoted to taking care of sick children before I had one. There’s nothing you can do to plan for it, you can't mark it in your appointment books or schedule around an illness. It’s one of those things that you just have to deal with, and it doesn't matter what your profession is. If you don’t have a stay-at-home parent, you have to make allowances for it and be prepared that some of your colleagues (those without children) will be bad-mouthing your lack of productivity behind your back. “Can you believe she is taking off AGAIN? What is wrong with that kid of hers?” You know what is wrong with the kid? SHE’S A KID. Kids get sick. A lot. B*tch.
When you or I are unwell, what we mostly want is someone to look after us, to give us food and sympathy, peace to be able to rest and something to keep us amused when we are feeling a little better. When children are sick, they need all of these and more. When they are unwell and especially if they are in pain, children often feel frightened or worried. They need to be cared for by the people they feel close to. And as for babies and young toddlers, all they can do is just crying/screaming because they can't put it in words and tell us how they actually feel or what's making them uncomfortable yet.
WORKS, but need a massage or pain relief patches after that >.<
When used in soups, these pears help to clear heat, moisturize lungs and relieve coughs.
Fry 4-5 cloves of garlic without oil for about 2-3 minutes. Remove the skins, crushed them a little and mix with olive/coconut oil. Apply to baby's chest, back and feet to relieve coughs.
I never would have guessed how much of parenting is devoted to taking care of sick children before I had one. There’s nothing you can do to plan for it, you can't mark it in your appointment books or schedule around an illness. It’s one of those things that you just have to deal with, and it doesn't matter what your profession is. If you don’t have a stay-at-home parent, you have to make allowances for it and be prepared that some of your colleagues (those without children) will be bad-mouthing your lack of productivity behind your back. “Can you believe she is taking off AGAIN? What is wrong with that kid of hers?” You know what is wrong with the kid? SHE’S A KID. Kids get sick. A lot. B*tch.
When you or I are unwell, what we mostly want is someone to look after us, to give us food and sympathy, peace to be able to rest and something to keep us amused when we are feeling a little better. When children are sick, they need all of these and more. When they are unwell and especially if they are in pain, children often feel frightened or worried. They need to be cared for by the people they feel close to. And as for babies and young toddlers, all they can do is just crying/screaming because they can't put it in words and tell us how they actually feel or what's making them uncomfortable yet.
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| "If I can say it out, I wouldn't have to cry and scream so much!" Lol. |
Honestly, this is the first time I see my 16 month old LO this sick and cranky. She usually has slight fever after certain jabs and stuffy nose once a while (most of the time from too much crying) but she would be up and kicking in a day or two. Today marks the fourth day of her being sick. She cries, whines and screams A LOT more. She's very 'clingy'. She's insanely sensitive and wants to be in our presence at all times. She wants lots of holding and cuddles and refused to be with her daddy when it's time to sleep at night, so I'm beat!
While my baby daughter is lazily draped over me as snot and drool pools onto my shoulder, I thought I’d offer a quick outline of the methods/home remedies I've tried so far, besides giving her plenty of water and fruits:
FAILED. Perhaps isn't as easy as it looks. She was in distress :(
Onion's antioxidants, including its hallmark flavonoid antioxidant, quercetin, provide us with anti-inflammatory benefits. These antioxidants help prevent the oxidation of fatty acids in our body. When we have lower levels of oxidized fatty acids, our body produces fewer pro-inflammatory messaging molecules and our level of inflammation is kept in check.
While my baby daughter is lazily draped over me as snot and drool pools onto my shoulder, I thought I’d offer a quick outline of the methods/home remedies I've tried so far, besides giving her plenty of water and fruits:
STERIMAR NASAL SPRAY
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| 100 % natural isotonic solution. |
This is what our paediatrician recommended. He said he doesn't prescribe any medication for kids under 2 yo and told us please don't get any types of syrup from outside because it's no good and doesn't work.
WORKS in helping to clear and unblocks little noses.
BULB SYRINGE
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| Supposedly the perfect tool to help remove mucus. |
ONIONS
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| Onions were historically used as a preventative medicine during epidemics of cholera and the plague. |
Cut an onion into smaller pieces, steam for an hour and drink the essence.
WORKS, even for adults.
Place a peeled white onion cut in half in a bowl in the room to relieve symptoms quickly and naturally.(Yellow onions would be an acceptable alternative, but white onions work best).
WORKS, at times though.
MAKE IT STEAMY!
Turn on the hot shower with door closed. Allow the steam to build and take in some moisture.
WORKS. The steam from a shower helps to thin out the mucus and reduce inflammation, at least for a short period.
SLEEP IN UPRIGHT POSITION
This is often accomplished by allowing your child to sleep on your chest while you are sitting in a chair or on the bed, in an uncomfortable position. At some point, you may have to make a choice: Sit uncomfortably knowing that your back will probably never bend into its natural position again, or stir your child awake in order to reposition. Most of us will choose the long-term consequences.WORKS, but need a massage or pain relief patches after that >.<
SNOW PEAR SOUPS
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| Cool in nature. |
There is also a meatless version. Simply boil snow pears with sweet almond, bitter almond and honey dates.
WORKS. Good for adults too.
GARLIC
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| It's full of antibiotic and antiviral properties. |
FAILED. Didn't seem to have any effect after applying for few days in a row.
Wrap crushed garlic and olive oil in a small piece of cloth and tape it to the sole of the feet. Leave it overnight. Raw garlic can actually burn the skin, so, the younger the person, the more folds in the cloth.
FAILED. Didn't see any improvement... Even after taking this precaution, her feet still ended up red for the next few days :(
ORANGE
Cut off the top of the orange, rub the flesh with a pinch of salt, poke with fork to push salt into the flesh and cover the opening by placing the top of the orange back. Put the orange in a bowl without water and steam for 15 mins. Drink the juice and eat the pulp.
WORKS, for cough & phlegm. Saw significant improvement after taking one per day for 2 days.
TAKE A BATH IN LUKEWARM WATER
This temperature will feel plenty cool when you have a fever and the bath should help bring your body temperature down.
WORKS. She enjoyed soaking in the tub and it made her feel calmer and more relaxed. However, DON'T try to bring a fever down rapidly by plunging into cold water. That tactic sends blood rushing to internal organs, which is how your body defends itself from cold. Your interior actually warms up instead of cooling down.
GIVE A SPONGE BATH
Take some lukewarm water in a big bowl or a basin. Dip a towel into this lukewarm water. Wring out the extra water to leave the towel warmly dampened and rub the body, hands & legs gently with this warm towel. Once the towel gets cold, soak it again in the warm water and get it dampened. Do this for about 15-20 minutes.
WORKS. Sponging high-heat areas with lukewarm water can help reduce temperature as the water evaporates. She doesn't like me putting the towel on her forehead though.
But if they stay unwell (a fever or pain lasting more than a couple of hours, vomiting often, looks very pale or ill), the symptoms seem to worsen or you are just plain worried, it would be wise to go see the doctor. Nonetheless, nine out of ten times, a doctor’s visit may turn out pointless. It’s always a virus and there’s nothing you can do about a virus, except, wait it out. Still, the more cautious of the spouses (it's usually me. Bleh) will insist on a doctor’s visit, while the other will suggest riding out a 39.4°C fever. The more cautious parent will almost always win this argument, and you will waste two hours to find out that it is indeed a virus. Lol. Anyway, hope my baby recovers soon! Cheers!
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