Hellobee

Baby Squiggles was miserably sick over our Thanksgiving weekend. It definitely made for a tiring, sad and “just-get-through-it” vacation weekend. It is the hardest thing to see your baby sick and know there is nothing you can do to make them better. It’s the first time Baby S has actually been sick (apart from a few runny noses) and I’ll admit, it is incredibly scary and really the first time I’ve felt completely incompetent as a first-time mom. You know what they say, “It takes a village” – and it totally does! I was on the phone with my sister, my mom, my homeopathic consultant and friends! I wanted to be sure I was doing everything I possibly could to be sure Baby S received the best care possible!

After four days of fever and one day of just feeling miserable, he woke up on the sixth day with a rash covering over half his body. I immediately phoned his doctor and a nurse diagnosed roseola. Mrs. Jump Rope did a fabulous post about it here. To recap, basically it’s several days of a fever, usually pretty high, followed by a rash once the fever breaks. It’s highly contagious to other babies and children during the fever portion of the illness but not so much during the rash portion. Our doctor informed us that roseola is an illness that isn’t treated and is left to just “run it’s course.” It’s definitely not a fun thing to be told as a parent who wants to help their child feel better!

Here is the list of items I couldn’t have done without this past weekend while nursing Baby S back to health.

1. Temporal Artery Thermometer/Braun In Ear Thermometer

We have the temporal artery thermometer which has been so nice because it takes two seconds to slide it across the forehead and get a temp. However, my homeopathic consultant said that the in-ear thermometer is definitely more accurate, and the same price as the temporal artery thermometer. I have decided, since we have some extra FSA dollars this year, to get the in-ear thermometer. It’s still gets a reading a lot faster than an underarm, tongue or rectal thermometer.

2. Vitamin D Drops

While I was pregnant I started taking vitamin D and it was the first winter in my life that I didn’t get sick once! I was so used to spending all season with a perpetual cold and I was shocked to see how much of a difference vitamin D can make. Through further research I found that many winter illnesses are the result of lower vitamin D levels. I am pretty positive that had I started Baby Squiggles on vitamin D several months ago he wouldn’t have gotten sick. I am definitely starting now!

3. Infants Ibuprofen/Acetaminophen

In general I follow more “natural” practices in life, particularly in medicine and health care, so if I use baby Tylenol, it’s because I feel the need to. I usually encourage that a fever run its course as it’s the body’s way of naturally staving off bacteria and infection.  However there comes a point when your baby (and you!) need a rest. I gave Baby S Tylenol each night before bed to help him sleep, and it helped him get a much-needed night of rest.

4. Homeopathic Kit

As I said, I generally veer more toward the natural side of medicine and health care, so one of the first things I did was consult my homeopath. She prescribes different homeopathic remedies based on symptoms, and this emergency kit is helpful to have on hand for any illness.

5. Essential Oils

I am fascinated with the world of natural health care and essential oils are no different! I put a couple drops of eucalyptus as well as tea tree oil in his humidifier to help his congestion. We also gave him a massage with a couple drops of lavender to soothe him and help him sleep.

6. The Complete Homeopathy Handbook

Whether you have a homeopath you consult or not, if you are interested in doing homeopathic care this book is a great resource. Each homeopathic remedy is prescribed based on different symptoms. For example, the fact that Baby Squiggle’s face was pale as opposed to red and flaming is a very important key in finding the correct remedy. This book does all the work for you so even if you don’t have a homeopath, it’s easy to experiment on your own. The amazing thing about homeopathy is that there is no such thing as “overdosing” so no matter the amount of trial and error, your baby won’t be affected if you don’t use the correct remedy right away.

7. Humidifier

Along with a fever, he had congestion issues, and the humidifier helped clear his airways so that he could sleep soundly and breathe easily.

8. Coconut Water

Especially during fevers (and roseola), hydration is so important! Baby S also lost fluids through vomiting, so staying hydrated as well as giving him electrolytes is vital. Coconut water has naturally occurring electrolytes. I love that I don’t have to give him a sugary drink to be sure he is staying hydrated!

9. Moby Wrap

Baby S was uncharacteristically clingy throughout his illness. Carrying him in my moby wrap allowed me to still do what I needed to do while keeping him close and comforting him. He was calm and most happy while being held, this also allowed me to still participate in the family get-togethers because as long as Baby S was held, he was content.

After this weekend, I wouldn’t wish a sick baby on anyone! Sadly, it happens. What items are in your sick baby checklist?