Now that the school year is upon us, it’s inevitable that itty bitty little ones will either catch something from daycare, play dates, or older siblings. Here are some tips on how to gear up for the health and wellness of your whole family!
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Vaccines and Well-Child Visits: Make sure your baby is up to date on all of their vaccines and well checks. Most pediatricians schedule well visits at 2 weeks, 1 month, 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 9 months, and 12 months for the baby’s first year of life.
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Hand Washing and Hand Sanitizer: To minimize germs spreading, as soon as you or the older children come home, have everyone either wash their hands or keep a bottle of hand sanitizer in the car to use after work and before touching the baby.
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Cool Mist Humidifier: This is golden! Make sure you are prepped with a cool-mist humidifier in your baby’s nursery for when your little one is having trouble breathing due to sinus blockage. Bonus points if you get one for yourself, too! If your babe is feeling particularly lousy because of their cold, it is also helpful to take baby to the bathroom and turn on the shower and let the hot steam work its magic.
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Baby Chest Rub: This is especially helpful to use before naps and bedtime on babies 3 months and older. For added comfort, massage onto baby’s feet as well! Our favorites include Maty’s brand or the Honest Co.
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Nose Frida: Game. Changer. Although it seems a little unpleasant to use until you actually need it, this contraption is so much better than a regular suctioning bulb at getting all of the gunk out of your baby’s nose and getting him to breathe easily again. Use with saline and thank us later.
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Elevate Baby’s Head: This is so the sinus passages have an easier time draining throughout the day and night. As always, consult with your baby’s pediatrician to see if it’s appropriate to elevate your baby’s crib mattress at night.
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Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate: Your baby and yourself, especially if you’re sick, too. You may notice that your baby isn’t feeding from the bottle or breast as well, and if that happens, try to offer her more frequent sips/feedings to keep her properly hydrated and encourage an appropriate wet diaper count.
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Cuddles and TLC: For baby and you, especially if you’re sick along with baby! We know it’s not easy caring for a little one when you’re not feeling well yourself and that rest is even harder to come by, but remember, parents need to put on their life vests on first so that they can help their baby. Show yourself some love and enlist help from friends and family so you can get a couple of hours of sleep or a hot meal.
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Know that this, too, shall pass: When all else fails, remember that you’ve gotten through the newborn stage, and that you are a warrior. You guys will get through this, too. Here’s to wishing that your little bubba gets well soon!
Tell us: what other tips would you add to our list?